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hand and looked me straight in the eye.
    “Brody, honey, I want you to promise me something,” she said.
    I crawled into the bed with her and wrapped my arm around her middle, trying as hard as possible to avoid touching the IV in the crook of her arm. Laying my head on her shoulder, I nodded.
    “Anything, Mommy,” I told her. I was twelve, but I was a little boy again in that moment. “Anything.”
    “Promise me that you’ll visit me often, baby boy.”
    That was easy to promise, because there was no way I was going to get through life without visiting her. “Of course I will. I’ll even have Dad tell me how to take the bus there, that way I can go by myself sometimes.”
    She smiled, but she was so sad that it barely reached my eyes. I hated seeing her sad like that, and I hated knowing there was nothing that I could do to take that sadness away. She didn’t have long left with us, and that was the worst part. Knowing that our days with her were numbered, and she was going to miss everything .
    “And one more thing, B.” She grinned when I nodded again, too choked up and emotional to respond. “Don’t ever bring me roses, because if you do, I swear I will haunt your ass until the end of time.”
    I raised my eyebrow at that, confused. “Well, what do you want me to bring you? I thought every woman liked roses?”
    She shook her head. “Nah, girls like roses, baby. I’m a woman, and women like much more sophisticated, thoughtful flowers. Bring me lilies. Preferably with snapdragons. Those are my favorites.”
    “Okay, Mom.” I hugged her again, and she kissed my forehead. “I love you so much.”
    “I love you more. I always will.”
    She died two days later, in her sleep. It was the best way, the best we could hope for, or that’s what everyone told us. She’d suffered beautifully for so long, and even when she was in pain, she pretended like she wasn’t, for our sakes.
    Pressing my thumb and forefinger to the bridge of my nose to keep my emotions at bay, I close my eyes. I lean forward and run my hand over the smooth stone where she lay. I trace her name a repeatedly, hoping for some divine intervention, some sign that she’s here with me even when she’s not. I don’t know what I’m hoping for. A whip of the wind, thunder or rain, a heavenly sign.
    But nothing comes.
    And when it doesn’t, I sit back and do what I normally do.
    “Hi, Mom,” I say quietly. “I miss you so much. I can’t believe it’s been six years since you left us. Things are kind of hectic here. Dalis graduates from middle school this year, but thankfully she graduates a week before I do. Cason’s finally pulled his grades up after his slip last year. Mama Quinn is doing exactly what you’d expect of her. She’s taking care of us. But every time she does, I can’t help but wish it was you. I wish you were still here. Six years, and it’s still not fair that you had to go…”
    Three hours later, I’m emotionally spent from my visit with Mom, like I always am. My heart is heavy and I’m missing her more than usual. Everything’s piling up today, and I had to let it out before I fucking exploded.
    I don’t have any obligations for the rest of the day, and I’m so exhausted. I decide I’m going to head back to the Quinn household and take a nap. Usually, I don’t have this kind of luxury, but since I do today, I’m going to take full advantage of it, especially considering the day’s events.
    This house isn’t my second home. It’s my only home. The house I live in, or am supposed to live in permanently, hasn’t been a home since my mother lived there.
    I shut off the car when I pull up in front of the house and take a calming breath. I enter through the backdoor, because there’s a stairway in the kitchen that leads directly to Nic’s old room.
    Every time I set foot in this room, I’m bombarded with memories that have taken place in this bedroom, particularly the one that took place the day of my