He popped his feet up then leaned back.

“Don’t take it personal, baby,” he said.

“You need something to drink?” I asked.

“Yeah, that would be nice,” he said.

I nodded and then went to the kitchen, where I found my mother standing, her hands flat on the counter.

“You okay?” I asked.

She looked anything but okay, but after a moment, she smiled and then nodded.

“I’m fine,” she said.

“Ma…” I said in a warning tone.

She chuckled. “I’m the one who is supposed to do the lecturing around here,” she said.

“I’m not going to lecture. I just want you both to take care to take care of yourself. I know you’re worried about him, but that doesn’t mean that you can neglect your own health,” I said.

“I know,” she responded, though the admission was grudging.

“Why don’t you go lay down for a minute? I’ll get you guys some groceries and get some food started,” I said.

“Kayla, I know you have your own things to do,” she said.

“What could be more important than you?” I asked.

“Well, I’m assuming you got a new job and have a lot of responsibilities,” she said.

You don’t know the half, I thought, though I kept that to myself.

“What do you say that, Ma?” I asked instead.

“That car, for one, and don’t think I haven’t noticed the clothes,” she said.

I had intended to change before I saw them and wear some of my old things. Imagine my surprise when I’d gotten to my closet and not a single stitch of my old clothing was anywhere to be found.

And from the quality of the items that had replaced them, I knew Elias had enlisted Gayane.

With no time to do anything else, I had chosen the most low-key pieces I could, a pair of jeans and a simple button down. But my mother couldn’t miss that they were clear upgrades from anything else I had.

I shrugged. “You know I like to shop when I’m stressed,” I said.

“Yeah, that must be it,” my mother said.

It was clear she didn’t believe me, but I thanked my lucky stars when she chose not to question me further.

Instead, she said, “You have to take care of yourself too, Kayla. But let me take you up on your offer. I’ll go lie down if that’s okay?” she said.

“Of course, it is. I’ll be here,” I said.

She nodded, smiled, and then went back to their bedroom.

I got my father a drink and then went to survey the kitchen.

A couple of hours later, when my mother emerged from her nap, the kitchen was fully stocked, and I had put on a low sodium soup and brown rice to go with it.

“You did all that while I was sleeping?” she said.