Chapter 23: What Reid Left

My mother got off the noon train in a raincoat, though it wasn't raining.

She stood on the platform with one small suitcase and looked for me.

I was standing by the pillar on my own leg, in jeans, with Gideon a polite distance behind me.

She saw my face first, and then she looked down.

She looked at the leg for as long as she needed to.

"Well," she said. Her chin shook. "There it is."

"Hi, Mom."

"I'm so sorry I never came."

"I told you not to."

"You told me not to," she said, "and I let you, because you sounded so sure."

"I should have heard what was under it."

I crossed the platform and put my arms around her.

She smelled like the same lavender soap as always.

Over her shoulder, I saw Gideon take a step back and find something fascinating to look at on the departures board.

Later that afternoon the four of us sat on Nell's living room floor with takeout.

My mother ate fried rice with a fork and watched Gideon the whole time.

"You photographed all of that," she said to him.

"Yes, ma'am."

"You should have stepped in sooner."

"Yes, ma'am. I know."

"Good," she said. "Pass the soy sauce."

Nell choked on her water.

When the plates were cleared, Gideon took a thick envelope out of his jacket and held it out.

"Whenever you want," he said.

I looked at my name in block capitals.

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