Reminders of Him

by Colleen Hoover

“You told me she was leaving town last time we talked,” she says. “She is.” I feel guilty when I say that because I’m hoping with everything in me that it isn’t true. “Or she was. I don’t know anymore.” “Do Patrick and Grace know the two of you are . . .” “No.” My mother blows out a soft breath. “What are you doing?” “I don’t know,” I say honestly. “This isn’t going to end well.” “I know.” “Do you love her?” I blow out a heavy, slow rush of air. “I definitely don’t hate her anymore.” She takes a sip of her wine and gives this conversation a moment to settle. “Well. I hope you do the right thing.” I lift an eyebrow. “What’s the right thing?” My mother shrugs. “I don’t know. I just hope you do it.” I release a short laugh. “Thanks for the nonadvice.” “That’s what I’m here for. To tiptoe around this thing they call parenting.” She smiles and reaches across the bar to squeeze my hand. “I know you’d rather be with her right now. We don’t mind if you abandon us tonight.” There’s a moment of hesitation on my part, not because I don’t want to go to Kenna’s place, but because I’m surprised my mother knows who she is, yet she’s still okay with it. “Do you blame Kenna?” I ask her after a short pause. My mother looks at me honestly. “Scotty wasn’t my child, so I felt sorry for everyone involved. Even Kenna. But if what happened to Scotty had happened to you, I can’t say that I would make a different choice than Patrick and Grace. I think there’s room in a tragedy this size for everyon...