Chapter 13
Concetta felt a tight, aching pressure in her chest.
Her fingertips were ice cold as she dialed Lynne’s number.
She just wanted to ask what had happened.
At that moment, Lynne was cuddled up next to Sharon, taking selfies with her doll.
When she saw her mom’s name flash on the screen, her pretty brows arched, and a flicker of annoyance crossed her face.
The phone rang for a while before Sharon gently reminded her, “Lynnie, it’s your mom calling. Aren’t you going to answer?”
Lynne shook her head.”She’s so annoying. If I pick up, she’ll just nag me again. No, thanks.”
She hung up without hesitation, the ringtone cutting off abruptly.
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Then she turned and muttered to Hyman, “I told you we shouldn’t have taken her off the block list. Look, it’s already starting-nonstop calls. What were you so afraid of?”
“I wasn’t afraid!” Hyman shot back.”I just said maybe she forgot something important. You’re the one who insisted on unblocking her!”
But even as he argued, his face showed the same irritation.
He thought, “Seriously, Mom? Couldn’t you have picked a better time to call? This is so embarrassing.”
Lynne pouted.”She never forgets anything. She just talks and talks until I want to rip my ears off.”
Back in San Jose, Concetta had called them like clockwork-once during breakfast, once at dinner.
She’d go over every detail of their day, from what they ate to whether they were warm enough.
At first, they’d been a little homesick and always answered.
But once they had their own lives and Sharon by their side, the calls became more of a chore.
Two calls a day turned into one. Eventually, they’d start hanging up after just ten minutes, making up any excuse.
And over the last couple of days, they simply blocked her.
Now, as the screen on Concetta’s phone dimmed, something inside her quietly broke. She stared at the black screen, her heart turning colder by
the second.
“What am I even hoping for anymore? she thought.
Suddenly, a violent coughing fit overtook her. She bent over, choking uncontrollably-and with a final cough, blood spattered onto her sleeve.
The driver glanced back in panic. He slammed the gas pedal down, racing straight to the nearest hospital.
Back in the master bedroom, Hyman looked at Lynne and Sharon finishing their photos. He tugged awkwardly at his pajama sleeve and mumbled, “Lynnie… Can you take one of me too?
The truth was, when their mom first made these pajamas, he’d kind of liked them.
But they had those silly bear prints. That wasn’t something a boy should wear-so of course, he’d called them childish.
He had never thought that, because of Sharon, he finally got the chance to wear them.
Even better, Sharon had praised him.”Manny, even little heroes are cute sometimes.”
His cheeks flushed pink. “If you like it, Auntie Sharon….. I’ll wear it every day.”
The pajamas were not only cute-they were incredibly soft. It felt like being wrapped in clouds.
“Honestly,” he thought, “Mom did a pretty good job with these. She’s just too naggy, that’s all.”
He figured he could at least take a photo to show her.
“Ugh, Hyman’ Why didn’t you say so earlier? Lynne whined. Auntie Sharon just went to get milk.”
Hyman opened his mouth, trying to explain.
He wasn’t trying to get a photo with Sharon-they already had plenty.
He just wanted to send one to his mom…..
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“What are you two cuties whispering about?”
Sharon’s warm voice floated in from behind.
Hyman turned quickly, startled, and ran right into her.
“Ouch!”
Sharon let out a small yelp.
The warm milk in her hands spilled across Hyman’s pajama top.
The adorable bear print was instantly stained with a big, soggy blotch.
Lynne gasped, then scolded, “Hyman! How could you be so clumsy? Apologize to Auntie Sharon!”
Hyman stared down at the wet pajamas, his heart sinking. He felt a little wronged but still lowered his head.”I’m sorry, Auntie Sharon…”
Sharon caught the look in his eyes-upset but not entirely remorseful-and a glint of understanding flashed through her own.
She had already noticed how much Hyman cared about that pajama.
She gently ruffled his hair, her voice sweet and soothing.”No, sweetheart, I should be the one apologizing. I startled you, didn’t I?”
Hyman shook his head in surprise.”It wasn’t you. I wasn’t looking.”
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