Page 106 of The Taste of Deceit

My smile fades.

“No.”

“No?”

I shake my head even though she can’t see me.

“I don’t want to.”

“Sweetheart...”

“I don’t.”

I look out the kitchen windows toward the backyard.

“Not until everything’s okay with Katie.”

Mama is quiet for a moment.

“It’ll be okay.”

“I don’t know if it will.”

“It will.”

I close my eyes.

“It’s been a month.”

“I know.”

“And she still won’t answer my calls.”

“I know.”

I swallow hard.

“I miss her.”

“I know you do.”

For a long moment, neither of us says anything. Finally, Mama breaks the silence.

“Sometimes the people we love need a little longer than we’d like.”

I nod to myself.

“I know.”

“Just keep loving her.”

“I will.”

“And let the rest work itself out.”

I let out a slow breath.

“I got accepted.”