My heart sinks. “So you’re back together.”

“Goodness, no!” Mom laughs, shaking her head. “I told him that I understand being scared, but I can’t be with someone who’d abandon me in the middle of a foreign country.”

I blink at the phone screen, shocked. “Wait—you’re not with him anymore?”

“No, I’m not.” She pauses, presses her lips together. “Sweetheart, I know you saw a lot of unfortunate circumstances when you were growing up, with some of the men I dated.”

Maybe more like unfortunate choices—on her part. But I bite my tongue. This is the closest she’s ever come to taking any kind of accountability.

“And I—I regret it,” she continues. “I know I wasn’t there when you needed me.” Another pause. “Especially after Georgia’s accident. You deserved so much better. You still do. I let myself get caught up in trying to find happiness in someone else and lost sight of the two little girls who needed me most.”

My throat feels tight, and all I can do is nod.

“Why did you do it?” I ask, swallowing. “Why did you always chase after those guys?”

She frowns. “I guess it’s because I couldn’t stop hoping. And I’m not ready to give up—”

“But where’s the evidence, Mom? Falling in love doesn’t magically make everything work out perfectly. Maybe it’s time to put away the hope, stop reading silly books that feed into unrealistic expectations, and be practical.”

“That’s not what I mean by hope,” Mom says, her voice surprisingly calm. “And that’s not why I read those books.”

“Then why?”

“Because you know what happens to the characters in a romance novel?”

I sigh. “Yes, Mom. They fall in love—”

“They change. They grow.” Her voice goes serious. “Even when they have painful pasts or have made mistakes. Those ‘silly books’ show me that anyone can be brave and try again. It’s not that love makes everything work out perfectly—but love can create the perfect environment to face our fears.”

I’m stunned; she’s speaking in a way I’ve never heard before, with confidence and conviction. Georgia was right—our mom is doing better.

“I used to think I’d never be able to stand up for myself with a man, but I did it with Darrell. For the first time, I asked for what I deserve, and when he couldn’t give it to me, I walked away.” Mom smiles, her eyes soft. “And for the first time, my independent, successful older daughter has trusted me with her heartbreak, and I’m able to give her support. So yes, I think that’s cause for hope.”