“Thank you for staying.”
I turned my palm upward, letting her hold it.
“I’m not going anywhere.”
Her fingers tightened around mine.
“Mark, I need to tell you something.”
“Okay.”
“I know this situation is complicated. I know I’m Jenna’s mother, and you’re her ex-boyfriend. I know people might misunderstand why I’m living here.”
“People misunderstand things professionally. It’s practically a hobby.”
She smiled faintly.
“I’m serious.”
“So am I.”
She took a breath.
“Sometimes, when you’re talking to me, I forget how we ended up here.”
I looked at her.
“What do you mean?”
“I forget that my life has fallen apart. I forget that I’m frightened about tomorrow. I forget that I’m supposed to be ashamed of needing help.”
Her eyes shone.
“I just feel like myself again.”
I couldn’t find a joke.
For once, there was nothing funny to say.
“Sarah,” I whispered, “you don’t have to pretend with me.”
