“I won, Mom.”
“Oh, that is wonderful! Congratulations!”
My smile is bigger than my face one second, elated that I’ve made her proud, but it immediately falls when I hear a small gasp.
“You sure you’re okay, Mom?” I ask, trying to keep my tone calm. “I can come home.”
“I am fine, Alex. Do not worry. I will see you soon.”
“Okay.” I inhale and exhale. “Okay, Mom. You get some rest. It’s late.”
“Tell Talia I send my love.”
“I will. We’ll video chat with you soon.”
“Je t’aime, mon étoile.”Her voice, while full of love, is weary. I close my eyes and force yet another smile.
“Je t’aime, Maman. See you soon.”
When I hang up, on impulse, I check my text thread with Bailey.
Nothing. Of course, nothing.
I shoot off a text to Talia, letting her know we need to schedule a video chat with my mom, and then I lie back on my pillow. Talia won’t respond until morning. Bailey won’t respond ever. My mother is...well. She is what she is.
When I finally fall back asleep, it’s with a frown on my face.