Unsteady on her feet, Becca reluctantly sank into the chair. Virginia took out a bottle of water from her purse. She loved that about her mother. Always prepared. “Drink this. I know you’re dehydrated,” she said. Becca wanted to laugh. Her mother’s obsession with hydration was a long-running family joke, as though it might fix all that ailed them. Becca drank thirstily until she’d finished the bottle. Becca leaned back in her seat, her stomach gurgling.

“How is she?” Virginia asked.

“She’s hanging in, Mama. The things they did to her… they… they tortured her.”

“Rebecca, I am so very sorry,” Virginia said.

Becca couldn’t help herself. “Are you?”

Virginia flinched, jerking her hands back. “What does that mean?”

“You think I don’t know how you felt about Ash?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t play dumb. I saw how you treated her like she was a houseguest who overstayed her welcome. You think I didn’t hear the snide comments you made under your breath when Ash was struggling to get clean? Or should we talk about how you never once introduced Ash as part of the family? You went out of your way to make sure everyone knew she wasn’t an Ortiz.”

Virginia took a breath. “Is that what you think?” Her voice trembled. Becca shrugged. That’s exactly what she thought.

“Rebecca, I want you to listen to me. I want you to hear every word I say. I don’t hate Ash. I never… I don’t hate anyone. It was just so hard. I wanted to love her, I really did. It’s just… Ash reminded me so much of Robbie, that same energy and intensity. But there was darkness there too. I missed it with Robbie, but I saw it so clearly with Ash and it terrified me. I failed you when Robbie died. I know I did. I thought with Ash, I could protect you, that it was my duty to make sure you didn’t end up heartbroken again.”

Becca wiped at her eyes, wondering if she would ever run out of tears. “You could’ve said that. You could’ve said something. Anything.”

Virginia paused as though she was struggling to find the right words. “I’m not from your generation where we overshare every single thought and feeling. After Robbie died, I was lost, Rebecca. That’s no excuse, but he was my baby boy, and it took me years to find my way back. By then I’d missed so much time with you, and we were always at odds, always so different. I should’ve said it before. You’ve got such a big heart, and you gave someone the gift of love and a home. I am so proud of you. I should’ve said that.”