I straightened up and closed the refrigerator door. I looked around the empty kitchen. It would never be the same without her mother filling it with the smell of good home cooking. Nobody cooked like she did. I would miss that horribly.
After I had eaten lunch with Erick, I had decided to spend the night again out at the farm. To be honest, thinking of returning to Mom’s room with Leslie and Mary there brought on a mild panic attack. Ann’s derogatory comments had cut my nerves to the quick. I was close to giving her more than a piece of my mind. Mary could see it and had mouthed words begging me not to. I gave in. I deeply did not want to disappoint her. We were just starting to connect for the first time in my life. I didn’t want to lose that. Oh, what we will do to earn the approval of those we love!