My blood boils all over again as I stare down at the text Lanie sent me. I am not their keeper, it is not my job to constantly make sure they’re okay, and I’ve been swamped with helping Mom out since the moment I got here. I received the text two evenings ago and just left them on read because I didn’t have the time to respond. It’s so out of left field for them to even send a text like this. I put my phone face down on the table and smooth my ponytail down over my shoulder. I probably look as frazzled as I feel but yesterday I told Grandma I’d save some of my small amount of off time to meet up with her for a quick coffee date.

“Well hello,” Grandma’s voice greets me with a pleasantly warm tone. She’s wearing a short sleeved blouse today since it’s a warmer day outside than it has been.

I turn in my seat and smile at her as she approaches me holding a coffee, and I  stand to give her a hug. “Hi, Grandma,” I say, my voice tired.

“I’m glad you found the time to meet up with me today, dear,” Grandma says fondly. She stands on her tiptoes and I bend down slightly to meet her kiss on my cheek. “I’m worried about you.”

I shake my head. “I’m–” A wide yawn interrupts what I’m saying, “I’m fine, really.” I sit back down and Grandma sits down across from me.

“There are dark circles under your eyes right now,” Grandma says, tapping under her eyes. “Have you been getting any sleep?”

I shrug. “A couple hours here and there…”

“I think you’re putting too much of your hard earned energy into this woman,” Grandma says with a frown, “You know Grace can be very manipulative.”

“Mom’s changed,” I say with frustration, and I watch Grandma’s eyebrows shoot up nearly into space. “Yeah, I decided it was time to start calling her ‘Mom’ again. She’s been so good to me this past week. It’s only right,” I cross my arms over my chest defensively. 

“She’s taking money out of your pocket by keeping you from your job,” Grandma says, picking an argument with me. “How are you going to pay rent this month when you’ve had to miss so much work? Grace isn’t paying you for your help.”

“Lanie’s parents cover some of it and I have a little saved up,” I argue back, “It’ll be fine. Mom needs me right now.” I clutch my coffee cup in my hands. 

“I just don’t want to see you hurt again,” Grandma says desperately. 

I rub my temples. “I’m fine, Grandma,” I grumble. “Listen, I’m exhausted. Mind if I take my coffee to go?”

Grandma looks sad. “I just got here,” She says quietly. “But if that’s what you’d like, dear.”

A guilty pit forms in my stomach but I don’t want to just sit here and be lectured by her. “Sorry…”

Grandma smiles warmly at me, the sadness still in her eyes. “It’s okay, love. I’m always here when you need me. Remember that.”

I smile back. “Thanks. I will.”

The guilty pit stays firmly lodged in my stomach even as I arrive back at Mom’s house. I’m just so tired of Grandma trying to dictate my relationship with Mom recently and want to make this work.

Nick’s car isn’t in the driveway which immediately makes me nervous. Why would he leave Mom home alone when she can’t leave her bed? Did they break up while I was gone and he left her out of spite? How long has he been gone? I guess it’s good I ended up coming home a couple hours before I had to.

I hastily unlock the door and rush inside, worry taking over the guilt that’s wracking my body. I rush to her room but she’s not there. My heart pounds as I try to figure out what could have happened. Did Nick take her somewhere? Did she decline suddenly and he had to take her to the hospital?

I hear the toilet flush and Mom comes out of the bathroom walking perfectly fine. I narrow my eyes at her. “Um… hi?” I ask.

“You weren’t supposed to be home yet,” she says pleasantly, suddenly leaning against the doorway like walking is such a hard chore for her.

It takes me a moment to register what’s going on. Suspicion slowly creeps up on me. “You were never hurt,” I mumble numbly, “You tricked me.”

“I’m feeling better today,” Mom says dismissively.

Something in me snaps. “What the fuck is your problem?” I shout, “I’ve been working my ass off for you for a week and it’s all been a sick joke?!”

Mom– Grace– I don’t fucking know which one to call her right now, straightens up. “How else am I supposed to get my son’s attention? You blocked my number!”

“Because you do shit like this! I thought we were finally past this!” I’m screaming at her, my heart breaking all over again. “I’m not your fucking son, I’m your daughter! I thought you finally understood that. Do you know how worried I was when I didn’t see your shitty boyfriend’s car in the driveway?”

“Good, you should be worried about your mother.” She says with an attitude. She puts her hands on her hips. 

I’m so upset I’m close to seeing red. “Fuck you! You are not my mother. I’m going home.”

As she shouts after me about how I’m ungrateful while simultaneously calling me slurs, I storm back inside and slam the door after me. It takes me five minutes to pack my shit and leave. While driving I come to the realization that I don’t want to go home to Lanie yet. Not after those texts they sent me. I switch lanes and head in the direction of Grandma’s house instead.