Page 111 of See You Again
“I would never open someone else’s mail.” Irene looked offended at the suggestion.
“Of course not,” Cami murmured, her fingers toying with the edge of the envelope. She was dying to open it now, but she couldn’t in front of Irene who was watching her with a frown.
Cami could feel the thin outline of a file folder. “Oh, this must be the file I’ve been waiting for. I totally forgot.”
If she’d hoped her lie would ease her mother’s mind, her mother’s next words made it clear the envelope wasn’t what was causing her distress.
“I saw you on the internet this morning.”
“My podcast?” Cami braced for her mother’s normal complaints.
“No, at that fancy party with all the celebrities last night.” Irene’s face crumpled. “You were having pictures taken with that man.”
“His name is James,” she said patiently. Cami stood and poured the boiling water over a tea bag, placing the mug in front of her mother.
She really didn’t want to have the conversation she knew was coming. In her way, her mother meant well, but Cami wasn’t up to hearing again how James would never think she was good enough, and that he would break her heart. Particularly when her own feelings were so raw.
“We were there for my business,” Cami said firmly.
“There were pictures of his twin brother, too. He’s dating a movie star.”
“I met her. She’s very nice.”
“Oh, sweetie. Do you hear yourself? They aren’t just rich, they’re celebrities.”
Cami grit her teeth to keep the smile on her face. “James isn’t a celebrity.”
“Might as well be. His family is in all the magazines. His mother might be a normal person, but she was a lawyer! And his sister’s mother is a supermodel!” Her eyes were wide, imploring Cami to understand.
“I’m not sure what your point is.”
“Yes, you do.” Irene’s hand came up, and she began absently plucking at her eyelashes. Cami felt sick. Her mother was in worse shape today than she’d thought. All because of her.
“Mama.” She pulled her mother’s hand into hers and set them clasped together on the table. Cami knew better than to point out the obsessive behavior. “Everything is fine. James and I aren’t serious. We’re more friends than anything else.”
“He’s very handsome.”
“Extremely. But he’s also smart and kind. There’s no reason to worry. We enjoy each other’s company, that’s all. No one is breaking out the wedding toasts.”
Her mother’s fingers slowly stopped fidgeting within Cami’s. “I don’t want you to get your heart broken like I did.”
“I won’t.” Cami’s chest ached.
“It’s too easy to fall in love with a man like that.” Irene’s hands suddenly turned, and she gripped Cami’s hard. “Promise you won’t.”
The lump in her throat almost choked her. “I won’t fall in love with him.”
Because I already have.
“Mama,” Cami began. She had to tread carefully. “Are you remembering to take your medicine? I can get you a refill if you need one.”
Irene jerked her hands back from Cami’s, her expression turning angry. “Yes, Camellia. I’m taking all the medicines. You’re only throwing that in my face because you don’t like what I’m saying. I’m your mother. I worry about you!” Her mother’s chest rose and fell with her agitated breathing.
“I’m sorry. You’re right. Thank you for caring about me.” Other than counting her mother’s pills, which she couldn’t do in front of her, there was no way for Cami to know if Irene was telling the truth.
It took almost two hours for Cami to calm her mother to the point she felt comfortable leaving. After her mother beat her at cards, several times, she was laughing when Cami leaned in to kiss her goodbye.
Parking around the corner from her mother’s house, Cami reached for the manila envelope, staring down at the block lettering in her lap as a mix of emotion swelled inside her.