Laney bats her eyelashes. “I’m getting there.” I don’t know why, but that statement makes me feel the first burst of hope in three weeks. I let go of the pen and turn my hand over, entwining her fingers tightly with mine. She analyzes the gesture.
“Kam—” she sighs.
“Laney,” I cut her off, “I’m really glad it’s you and
not Orange Julius that’s here.”
She smirks at me but doesn’t have a chance to respond as my mother chooses that moment to appear with dinner.
“Homemade mac and cheese like the patient requested.” She halts when she walks into the room and sees me and Laney holding hands on my bed. “Hope I’m not interrupting something?” Oh crap, she has that ‘you’re in trouble’ tone.
“No, nothing.” Laney springs up. “Kam was just having some trouble holding the pen. I was trying to help.” She goes over and sits back down at the desk.
“Oh.” My mother’s face falls. Laney couldn’t have spoken a more perfect sentence. She just got us off the hook big time. My mother knows how hard this recovery is for me. She’s seen the depression take hold and try to drag me under. She isn’t going to blow a little thing like hand holding out of proportion, especially if it preceded an issue with my control.
My mom puts the tray of food on my bed then picks up the extra dish and glass of iced tea and serves Laney. “The deal was I would feed you dinner while you were here. It’s not gourmet like you’re probably used to, but I’ve never had any complaints.”
Laney smiles up at my mom. “I’m sure it’s amazing. And trust me, sometimes gourmet isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
“Oh? Your daddy is a world-renowned chef. I can’t imagine you’ve ever eaten a bad meal in your life.”
“Bad? No. Weird, yes. He tried to put dandelions in the salad when I was twelve.”
“Really?” I chime in. “That is weird.”
“It’s only the tip of the iceberg.” Laney shakes her head and rolls her eyes.
“Well you must have had a very educational upbringing. Probably nothing like the one we had.”
“Do you know my father?”
“Hmmm hmmm. Before he was a famous chef, he was just another guy trying to survive Home Ec.”
“You went to high school together?” Laney asks, surprised. “He didn’t say anything to me when I told him I was tutoring Kam.”
“He probably doesn’t remember me. He left right after graduation and never looked back.” My mom’s voice sounds sad. “Anyway, eat up. I don’t want you getting home too late.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Laney grabs the bowl and scoops some shells into her mouth. “Wow. This is delicious.”
My mom smiles. “I’ll take that as the highest compliment, coming from you.”
“I’ll tell you what. I’ll trade you dandelions for macaroni and cheese any day.”
“Deal.”
“Thanks, Mom,” I say as she leaves the room.
“Anything for you, dear,” she drawls from the hallway, causing me to smile.
“Your mom is pretty cool,” Laney says as she munches away on her dinner.
“Yeah, she’s the best. I don’t know what I would do without her.” I scoop some macaroni into my mouth with my left hand. It’s so yum.
“You’d probably have to learn to do your own laundry,” Laney comments.
“You’re so funny,” I snark, “I’ll never do my own laundry.”
Laney laughs. “I believe you.”