Help Me Remember (Rose Canyon, #1)(9)

Okay, I see that conversation is done.

I always hate how she phrases statements like questions when she already knows the answer. “That’s what he said.”

“And you both think it’s okay to return back to your apartment? I’m just not sure how I feel about it.”

If I show an ounce of worry, she’ll move back here and that would be the worst possible outcome. My mother is wonderful—when she’s four hundred miles away. We are too much of the same person to live close.

“I think that being in my space with my things will really help. It could be the jolt that I need to remember my life.”

She sighs heavily. “I don’t know.”

“It’s not up to you, Mom. I know you mean well, but I can handle this.”

“Can you? Can you really manage this, Brielle? Your brother is dead, and you . . . I almost—”

The crack in her voice causes my heart to do the same. “I’m sorry.”

She turns her head and wipes her eyes before forcing another smile. “No, no. I’m fine. It’s just been difficult. That’s all. A mother is supposed to be able to help her children, and I can’t fix anything that’s happened. I can’t help you, and now Addison wants to go away . . .”

“Leave?” I ask quickly. “What do you mean, go away?”

Mom’s eyes meet mine. “I shouldn’t have said it that way. She doesn’t want to leave and not come back so much as get out of here for a bit.”

“I don’t understand, she loves this town.”

“And she loved Isaac in this town. She can’t handle being here, and everyone is mourning him. Everything she sees reminds her of him, and she thinks it would be best for her to have some space—at least until we find out what happened.”

Because this town was them.

Isaac and Addison fell in love here when they were sixteen. They both went to college not far from here, stayed together through it all, got married, and returned to Rose Canyon to start their lives.

Isaac got the teaching and coaching job he always wanted, and Addison worked as a librarian.

Everyone knows them. Everyone loves them. Their lives are here, and I can’t imagine Addison leaving.

“Where will she go?”

Mom shakes her head. “East. She’s still close with Emmett’s cousin, Devney, who lives in Pennsylvania. I guess she has a property that Addison can stay at for a while.”

“But she’ll be out there on her own.”

“It’s what has me so upset.”

I sigh, feeling the weight of the situation growing. My heart aches for my sister-in-law. She must be so devastated that the future she and Isaac were building was just ripped away. The home, happiness, and family that she dreamed of is gone. I don’t have to remember the last three years to know they were happy.

Addy and Isaac were the epitome of love.

Now that’s gone, and I would do anything to take that away from her. “Did she say for how long?”

“No, she didn’t, but I doubt she’ll stay away long. Rose Canyon is her home.”

“I’m sorry. If I could just . . . remember what happened then I could fix this a little, that maybe she’d be okay staying.”

Mom rushes over. “No, baby. Even if you could tell her every detail, it wouldn’t erase the pain she’s in. I’ve never seen two people more perfect for each other than they were, and she just needs some space to mourn. I know that all too well.”

Yes, she does. She loved my father beyond reason. “I wish neither of you knew that pain.”

“I wish the same, but the time I had with your father was worth whatever pain I have had since losing him.”

I think about Henry as she says that, hating that the last memory I have of him is us fighting about living in different cities. His family owns an accounting firm in Portland, and he was being groomed to take it over. We couldn’t agree on what our future would look like.

I like the small-town life, which is why I took the job here.

I wonder if we are back to the happy couple, or are we still at each other’s throats?

“What’s that face for?” Mom asks.

“Nothing. I just hate that my life feels like a puzzle where none of the pieces fit.”

“It will, Brie.”

I wish I had her confidence.

“Did you talk to Henry?” I ask.

“I did.”

“And?”

Mom reaches for her purse, suddenly very focused on digging for something in it. “He was very concerned when we spoke.”

“So, we’re still together?”

The bag drops to the ground. “Damn it.” She takes a while gathering all the crap she keeps in there. “Sorry, so, yes, we spoke. He was very upset and said he’d come as soon as he can.”

That didn’t answer my question, but I guess this is the new normal for me.

“It’s almost time for me to do a few laps, would you walk with me?” I drop the topic because it’s too hard for me.

“Of course.”

Mom helps me up, steadying me as I sway a little. No matter how slowly I stand, I’m always hit with a wave of dizziness. Holden says it’ll fade, and I look forward to that day.

“I’m good now.”