“Jesus. People say all sorts of shit they don’t mean when they’re scared and angry. I’m sure you said things you didn’t mean, too.”

“So many things.” Her heart ached at that truth. “I miss her. Before I started seeing Dennis, my mom and I would get up early Sunday mornings and drive around looking at gardens in people’s yards, around churches and hotels, and we’d drive by special gardens that you had to pay to get into. Sometimes we’d stay out all day just driving around. This time of year, she always found gardens with zinnias, my favorite flowers. Gosh, that feels like a lifetime ago.”

“What the hell are you doing, baby girl?” Pain rose in his eyes. “You don’t turn your back on family. Their love is unconditional.”

“You don’t understand. It’s not that easy. I never returned her calls after I moved in with Dennis because it was after the abuse started, and I didn’t want to admit that to her. And now it’s been too long.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Besides, I think she meant what she said when I left, because a few months ago I just wanted to hear her voice, and I called her, but her number was disconnected. I tried to find her, but I couldn’t.”

“What do you mean you tried?”

“I called the landlord we rented from, but he said he hasn’t seen her in three years. I even checked on social media. Not that I expected to find anything. She was always afraid my father would find us if he got out of prison, so we never used social media. It’s like she never existed. I just hope nothing has happened to her.” She looked up at the sky, blinking against tears, trying to push the sadness aside. “I know I was stupid for avoiding her, but if she is okay, too much time has passed anyway.”

“There’s no such thing as too much time.” His eyes bored into her, and he bit out, “I’d give my fucking life for one more hour with my mother.”

Her heart lodged in her throat. “You lost your mom?”

He looked into the distance, adjusting his baseball cap. “Thirteen years ago.”

“Oh, Diesel.” She touched his arm, and he flinched. But she didn’t let that stop her. She spread her hand over his forearm. It wasn’t much, but she didn’t think he’d accept a hug, so it would have to do. “I’m so sorry. Do you want to talk about her?”

The muscles in his jaw were working overtime again, but he remained silent.

“What about your father? Is he still around?”

“Never knew him.”

“Oh.” Her heart broke for him. “Do you have other family? Brothers or sisters? Aunts or uncles?”