14

LAURA

I was hanging a gown in the closet when my phone rang from the bed.

My mom’s name flashed across the screen when I picked it up and that was when I remembered that I was actually supposed to call her yesterday to let her know that I’d arrived safely.

Answering the call, I placed the phone against my ear.

“Hey, Mom.”

“Hey, munchkin,” Her raspy voice drifted across the speakers, “How are you, love?”

I sighed as I dropped down on the foot of my bed, the sound of her voice causing a sense of calm to wash over me. “I’m good. I was so tired yesterday, I forgot to call you like I said I would.” I told her, “I was just unpacking when you called.”

She hummed and I heard a steady tap on a table top. I immediately knew that she was drumming with her fingers on the table. Mom had a lot of… habits.

“I’m glad to hear that you arrived safe.” She coughed. “How’s Balery?”

Pretending that I hadn’t heard her cough, I said, “She’s doing really good. I swear, she and Jack look ten times better th