Always(Time for Love Book 4)(27)

Patty was the nurturing, fix-it type, and had been instrumental in getting her and Darren back together during their multiple ‘off-again’ stages. When she and Darren parted ways for good, Patty had been truly devastated.

Brenna herself had missed the woman. In the years she’d been with Darren, she’d been closer to Patty than to her own mother. With Darren also being an only child, Patty had embraced Brenna as the daughter she’d always wanted.

That was why it had totally shocked Brenna when Darren had told her earlier today that Patty had advanced cirrhosis of the liver, and was awaiting liver transplant. Brenna had been engulfed by sadness, unable to imagine the bubbly woman being so ill.

She glanced at Darren, who was retrieving some groceries from the back seat. He’d just lost his father to cancer six months ago, and not knowing when a donated liver would become available for his mother was weighing him down. He’d been teary when he saw her at lunch today, and she hadn’t known how else to express her sympathy but with a hug. It couldn’t have been enough with what he was going through. So when he’d said that Patty wanted to see her, she’d immediately agreed to come.

“Ready?” Darren asked with a small smile.

She nodded, and walked with him towards the house.

“Aunt Sally currently lives here too. She looks after Mum full time,” Darren said conversationally.

“That’s good,” she responded, trying to recall what Patty’s divorced younger sister looked like. She’d only met Sally a couple of times.

“I don’t know what mood Mum will be in right now,” Darren said, opening the door with his key. “There are days when she feels so down she doesn’t want to get out of bed. This waiting for a donor gets to her. But I’m sure she’ll perk up when she sees you.”

The living room was empty, but they could hear murmurs coming from the kitchen.

“Glad to see you out and about, Mum,” Darren said as they entered the room.

“Hello, Dar—Brenna!” Patty rose from her seat and extended her arms in welcome.

“Hi, Patty,” Brenna responded, hurrying to give the woman a hug, compassion rising to her throat. Patty’s illness was evident from the unnatural yellow tone of her skin.

“Oh, my. I’m so happy to see you, my darling,” Patty said, before bursting to tears.

“Patty!” Brenna exclaimed in dismay, putting her arms around the woman. “Please don’t cry.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s with me lately. But it’s so nice to see you again, Brenna.”

“Have a seat,” Brenna encouraged, glancing at Darren, who was staring at his mother in consternation.

“Great timing, you kids,” Sally interrupted. “Just in time to help me prepare dinner. And I’m also pleased to see you again, Brenna.”

“Thank you, Sally. Same here. What can I do to help?”

*

“I better go,” Brenna said, checking her watch. It was ten-thirty. If it hadn’t been for Patty being a chatterbox all night—unusually so, as Darren had observed—she would have left earlier. But the older woman was looking really tired now.

“Okay. I guess I better let you,” Patty said, hiding a yawn. “Are you staying at Darren’s tonight?”

“Uh, no,” she answered in surprise. Did Patty think she and Darren were back together? She glanced at Darren, who gave her a little shake of the head. He didn't want her to say anything.

“I’m driving Brenna back to her place, Mum,” Darren said.

“Okay. You drive safely. And Brenna, I would love to see you again this Saturday, dear.”

“Yes, it’s my birthday,” Sally said. “We’re having a small gathering here. It will only be us with my two daughters and their boyfriends.”

“And you can’t not come, Brenna,” Patty said insistently. “You’re part of the family again.”

Brenna gave Darren an almost-panicked look. What the hell had he said to his mother? She wasn’t prepared for this.

“She’ll check her calendar, Mum,” Darren said, reaching out for Brenna’s hand and squeezing it in warning. “We have to go.”

*

As soon as they were in the car and Brenna was sure the women in house couldn’t see them anymore, she turned to Darren. “You told your mum we’re back together?” she asked in a low voice, trying not to let her irritation get the better of her.

“I didn’t. She obviously assumed we are.”

“We have to tell her the truth, Darren. It’s not right to fool her like that.”

“Isn’t it?” Darren asked, staring back at the house.

“No!”

Darren leaned on his seat, staring blankly through the windscreen. “What if her condition gets worse and there is no donor in sight? What if she’s only around for a few more weeks?” he asked bleakly. “You should see what she’s like when her anxiety and depression are strong, Bren. And they are strong most days. Tonight is the happiest I’ve seen her in a long time. Because you came with me.”

Brenna swallowed.

“Bren,” Darren said, looking at her with pleading eyes. “After seeing what she was like tonight, I don’t have the heart to tell her we’re not really a couple. The happier she is, the better she’ll be at holding on until a donor turns up. I’m not ready to lose her yet,” he added, his voice cracking.