“I'm saying...I've said too much. He's not who you think he is, Rose. I just need you to be careful.”

“And if I'm not?”

“Then I don't know what will happen.”

“Does anyone?” asked Rose. “Did you, when you fell for what-was-his-name? Hank?”

“So, you have fallen for him?” Blythe slowly folded her arms, looked across to a photo on the mantel—one of her favorites. It was of them both together. “Tell me, who pursued who?”

Rose didn't reply. Neither the answer nor the purpose of the question were clear to her. She felt cornered. Ready to snap. And the last thing she wanted to do was fight her mom. The time they had was too precious to be doing that.

“Never mind,” Blythe continued. “I'm sure you know what you're doing.”

An awkward silence suffocated the air between them. They avoided eye contact until it became almost unbearable for Rose.

“Who was that with Andy?” Rose asked. “The goofy looking guy I saw downstairs.”

“Oh, Kurt. Andy's roommate. They're watching a monster truck show or something tonight. Seems like a nice boy. Polite. Parents are from Newfoundland.” Blythe paused to sip her tea. “But just for tonight. He’s heading back to the city tomorrow.”

“Good, this weekend is supposed to be spent with you,” Rose replied and then cringed when she thought of how she was gone all day.

“Tomorrow I thought we could take a trip together—you, me, Andy...and Bellamy.”

“What sort of a trip?”

“A trip down memory lane. Andy's promised to drive us.”

“Really? You feel up to a road trip? Where to? What if you need to lie down or something?”

“I'll be fine. It's important to me that we go, and that we go together, as a family. Do you mind?”

Rose got up and slouched onto the arm of her mom's chair, hugging her with one arm. It was her way of saying, I don't know what you're up to, Mom, but I'm with you, wherever you want to go.

Her mother gave her a gentle pat on the arm. “Thanks, sweetie.”

“What if Bellamy doesn't want to go?” asked Rose.

“You leave him to me.” Gone was the softness from her mom's voice. Instead she sounded almost defiant. “I'll ask him in such a way that he won't be able to say no.”

“Or I could ask him,” Rose suggested. “It sounds like you're giving him some kind of ultimatum.”

“It wouldn't put it that strongly.”

“But I thought you two were—”

“We have a contract. But he isn't family. And I can't pretend I'm happy with his conduct.”

“I see. And you don't approve of me and him...”