Boomer sucked in his breath. It was all he had to hear. “Do you want some company?”

“Yeah. Yeah, company would be great. What about Cady?”

“Don’t go there, Pete.”

“Okay, I won’t. I’ll pick you up in fifteen minutes.”

“I’ll be out front.”

As Cady walked into the kitchen, she stopped in her tracks, her jaw dropping, her eyes popping. “Mom! Is that really you, Mom? Gee, you look…you look great. Are you okay? Are you staying? Did you leave for good, or is this like a trial run or something?”

“Slow down, Cady. I’m fine, as you can see. I’m staying as long as Lola will have me. Eventually, I’ll find a job and an apartment of my own. I’m going to need to do that so I can be me again. I left for good, and this is not a trial run. Your father will be fine. A Social Services person goes to the house every day and helps your father. He can do everything himself that I used to do for him. He gets around very well. He can even take his chair outside because there’s a ramp for his convenience. I don’t want you to worry about him.”

“Why, Mom? I asked you to come the other day, and you told me no, and then you hung up on me. What changed for you in a matter of a day?”

“Circumstances. I realized I didn’t have to take his abuse one more minute. Maybe I snapped. Whatever the reason, here I am. I’m not too late, am I, Cady?”

Cady shook her head. “No, Mom. Gee, you look so pretty. I really like your haircut and the highlights. You look ten years younger. I wouldn’t be surprised to find out you turn a few heads here in Indigo Valley.” Agnes Jordan blushed a rosy red. She smiled and winked at Lola.

She’s got some spunk, Cady thought. Something I never thought I would see in my victimized mother.

“Did anyone call?” Cady asked, her voice ringing with hope.

“No, dear. The phone hasn’t rung. Are you ready to go to the pond?”

“Yes, but first I want to call the hospital to see how Amy is. I’ll do it in the library. Finish your breakfast.” She hugged her mother. “I’m glad you’re here, Mom.”

“Me too, Cady. I wish I had done this a long time ago.”

When the kitchen door closed behind Cady, Agnes leaned across the table. “What is it you want me to do, Lola? I think I know, but I guess I’m just one of those people who has to hear the words aloud. But first, I want you to know that I didn’t want to rip Cady away from you after her recovery. I would have had to be a fool not to see how well she’d done with you and how much she loved you. I begged Asa to let her stay even though my heart was breaking. You need to believe that, Lola.”