Carrie explains as she points to it, “Hot and cold are labeled wrong in my shower. If you need it warmer turn the knob left not right.”

“Got it. Thank you for this.”

She waves my gratitude away. “I’m never here. Glad someone is using it. And you’re helping me out, paying half the rent.”

“I can pay all of it soon.”

“Oh no, then it would be like I’m really living with Mags and I’m not ready for that yet.” Walking out of the bathroom she gestures to a cupboard we pass. “Towels and sheets live here. We met while I was living with another woman, one I’d moved in with way too quickly. You know the old joke right? What does a lesbian bring on her second date? A U-Haul truck.” Carrie rolls her eyes as I laugh. “It’s funny because it’s true. So I told Mags, don’t even bring up us living tougher for at least two years.”

“How long has it been?”

“One year three months three days.”

“You’re counting.”

She smiles, “Don’t look at me like that. Your phone is ringing.”

I hurry over to the kitchen counter and dig it out of my purse. “Hey Mom. You got my message saying I’m back?”

“Your brother contacted us.”

My heart skips as I walk into the living and motion to Carrie that this is important and I’ll be right back. “Is he okay?”

“He’s still in it, hon. He wanted to come over but he sounded jittery. When I asked if he was still gambling he wouldn’t answer me, acted like he didn’t know what I was talking about. I firmly told him, Bobby, I love you. You are welcome here as soon as you get clean and we can trust you. It’s completely up to you when that will be.”

“What did he say?”

Mom sighs, “He called me a bitch.”

“Oh no!”

“He’s fighting it, but honey, these are the last stages.”

“What if he never comes out?”

“I’m afraid that’s his choice, not yours. He saw my recovery. Bobby knows what he can do when he finally surrenders, more than most people.”

Closing my eyes at how hard this is to say, I whisper, “Please don’t tell Bobby where I am.”

Mom’s voice is heavy. “I can only imagine him gutting your friend’s home for what he can sell.”

“I don’t want to even think like that but I have to. I’m so torn though. Like if he knows I’m here then he’ll reach out and take my hand.”

“How long did you hold it out?”

Sighing I admit, “Two years.”

“And did he take it?”

“No.”

“I had you kids at home, my very own children, and I still disappeared for weeks. It wasn’t until the locks were changed and I was told I couldn’t return or see my family that the veil lifted and I finally realized I had a real problem.”

“I didn’t know Dad changed the locks!”

“He kept you in the dark on purpose, Paige. You and Bobby had been through so much. You don’t know it, but things got really nasty for a while. Anyway, your friend is waiting for you. But I have to know, how was the trip?”

I smile at the soothing reminder of Gabriel. “We had a great time, Mom. We were in Milan for just three days and it was so industrial that he rented a car and drove us to Verona so we could be somewhere more romantic.” Pausing I tell her, “I feel safe with him. He looks out for me.”

“When can we meet this fancy musician person?”

Chuckling I tell her, “Soon. We’re getting to know each other. I need to find a job. Just let me get settled, okay?”

“Take your time. I should probably listen to some of his music, too, so I don’t come off as some old lady who’s out of touch!”

“You’re not old. I have to go. Thank you for storing everything for me and making that trip possible. I love you, Mom.”

A surprised pause on her end makes me realize I haven’t said that in a long time. Filled with emotion she says, “I love you too, Paige. Talk soon.”

After we hang up I don’t move for a few seconds, and whisper, “Wow!”

Carrie’s head pokes into view from inside the kitchen. “That was the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard.”

“Eavesdropper!”

She leans on the doorway, head tilted. “I lost my mom when I was eighteen to cancer.”

“I’m so sorry.”

Her eyelashes dip toward the floor. “We all have hard stuff to go through, I guess.”

I walk over to give her a big hug, pulling away to ask, “Can we be friends, like real friends?”

With a huge smile she says, “Mags and I were saying that we hoped we’d be friends with you!”

“You did?” I laugh. “Really?”

“Anyone who will go along with that crazy scheme we made up to hide the fact that you and Gabriel banged it out in a car on the first date, is okay by us.”

Covering my face I crack up. “Oh my God! I think I love you!”

On a wink she says, “Don’t tell my girlfriend that. Now let me show you the garage because the light switch isn’t where it should be.”