The call, as to be expected, doesn’t go down smoothly.
My mom blames me for leaving the country so abruptly. She curses at me too. I listen to her ramble on and on. She’s a mess and she’s crying too.
And by the time we end the call, I am crying as well.
Ryker does his magic and hugs me from behind, taking some of the guilt and the pain away.
“She’s… she’s… never been like this,” I say in between hiccups.
“It’s okay,” he says in a soothing manner. “It’s all going to be okay.”
“Never has she been so emotional - at least not in my presence,” I go on as I sniffle.
“I understand, little girl,” he says.
“It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have taken her words at face value…”
“Don’t go there, Samantha,” he cuts in. And the use of my given name makes my eyes dart to his face. “You s
