Reborn to Leave Her Behind novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: The Glass

Alec's POV

My mother had set the dining room table, which she did twice a year.

There was a pot roast in the middle, with carrots and a dish of buttered rolls, and a pitcher of cold milk beside it.

She had put on the blue dress she wore to funerals and weddings.

"Mom," I said. "It's Erin. She's eaten at this table a hundred times."

"Not as your girl, she hasn't." She patted her hair. "Hush."

I did not argue.

Erin came to the front door at seven on the dot.

She wore a green sweater and carried no flowers and no pie, because my mother had told her not to.

She had a paper bag in one hand, and she kept it low.

"Mrs. Reeves," she said. "Thank you for having me."

"Oh, stop that," my mother said, and kissed her cheek. "You've been family since you were nine."

She had never said that to anyone.

We ate.

My mother talked about the church bazaar, and Erin asked about the quilt.

The pot roast was so good that I forgot to watch the pitcher for the first quarter hour.

My mother did not forget.

She lifted it, and she looked at Erin, and then at me, and her face did a small, careful thing.

"Milk, anyone?" she said.

"I'll have some," Erin said.

My fork stopped halfway to my mouth.

Erin reached into her paper bag and took out a heavy, plain tumbler.

She set it on the table in front of her.

It was clean and clear, and it caught the light from the lamp.

My mother frowned at it. "Honey, we have glasses."

"I know. This is mine. I bought it Sunday." Erin's voice was steady, and her hands were not. "I'd like to pour from your pitcher myself, if that's all right."

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