She’d always been concerned, but she never intruded. And now, hearing the change in my plans, she was quietly hopeful.
She paused and asked, “Eli, what will happen to the apartment I bought for you two?”
The apartment. I’d forgotten about that. When I’d left everything behind, my mother had come to check on me. She saw me and Naomi living in a cramped, shabby apartment barely fit for two. She couldn’t bear it and bought us a bigger place, a place that could hold a family if we wanted. But Naomi had brushed off the idea of moving in, saying she preferred our small home, that the bigger place felt too cold and empty.
“I’ll put it up for sale tomorrow, Mom,” I said.
After I ended the call, I was just about to take a breath when my phone buzzed again. It was Naomi, her voice sharp and impatient.
“Where are you, Eli? Why aren’t you home?”
I could barely believe the nerve. Here she was, demanding answers from me when she’d been the one ripping everything apart.
“I think it’s better for you to stay at the hospital and keep Ben company, don’t you?”