She smoothed her skirt again, and it occurred to me then that she was nervous, and that, in turn, made me nervous. Was she here because something was wrong with Reid? I couldn’t imagine why else she’d track me down, and as I sat there waiting, my knee began to bob up and down. But still, she remained silent.
“I’m guessing you didn’t come over to talk about my house,” I said, hoping to prompt a response.
“No, I didn’t.” She went to smooth her skirt again, caught herself, and then clasped her hands together instead. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure where to start.”
“Has Reid suffered another setback?”
Her eyes shot up to mine. “No. Well…physically he’s fine.”
“Physically?”
“Yes,” she said. Fingering her necklace, she closed her eyes, and when she opened them again, they glistened with tears. “Oliver, I came here today because I’m worried about my son.”
That sent my adrenaline pumping. “Why? What’s happened?”
“I don’t know. He tells me he’s fine, but I don’t… I don’t think he is. He’s just so different. Angry.”
“Angry? Reid?” I hadn’t caught a glimpse of that when I’d seen him on Monday.
“Yes. And the doctors say it’s normal. The moodiness, the change in behavior, but it’s been months now. He snaps at me, at his father, at the doctors. I’m at a loss for what to do. How to help him.”
I finished off my water and set the glass on the coffee table. “Pardon me saying this, but your son has been through hell the last few months. I’d be pretty upset too, especially if my memory had been toyed with the way his has. I’d venture to say he probably doesn’t know what’s real, what’s not, or if his brain really is okay.”
“I know that. It’s just…he remembers everything from before the accident, so for all intents and purposes, everything should be back to normal for him. Easier to understand. Heshouldbe fine.”
“But he’s not.”
“No, he’s not. I thought maybe it would help to have friends around, but a few have been over, guys that he used to be close with when he lived here before, but he won’t have anything to do with them. I thought maybe Natasha, but…” She shook her head. “It’s like he’s lost interest in the things and the people he used to love. And I don’t…” She choked on a sob and reached inside her purse for a packet of tissues. “I’m sorry,” she said, pulling one out to dab her eyes. “I just don’t know how to help him.”
My heart squeezed at her pain, as well as what Reid and the rest of his family had to be feeling.God.The thought of Reid suffering in any way was gut-wrenching. I sat forward with my elbows on my knees, wanting to say something, wishing I had words that could help make her feel better. Help him to heal. But I was on the outside looking in, and I feared nothing I said or did could make a difference.
I was no one in his world. And that truth was devastating.
“He’s moved back into his apartment. I think he sits in there and…well, I don’t know what he does, to be honest. I’m afraid it’s nothing good.” She wiped the corner of her eye again. “When he’s been over, his sister just runs out of the room, which I know doesn’t help things. My boy is so lost.”
Huh. It was strange; I thought he’d be back to the Reid I’d known—easygoing, even with the trauma he’d been through. Inquisitive. Forward. Not at all the withdrawn version his mom described.
“If he’s trying to find ways to cope, whether it’s anger or isolation…he’s scared,” I said. “It’s probably not the best time for him to be on his own, but if he’s pushing others away…” I was at a loss, and more than anything, I wanted to drive over to his apartment and somehow fix him.
“He’s been through so much, and I know he wants to put all this behind him. We all do. But I’m afraid I’m down to desperate measures?—”
“And I’m your last resort?” I finished.
Her dark eyes, so much like Reid’s, widened. “I didn’t mean it like that?—”
“I know you didn’t,” I said, waving her off. “But tell me what I can do to help Reid.”I’ll do anything.
“I think… I think he could use a friend.”
“A friend,” I repeated. I stared at her for a long moment, wondering if that was all she thought we’d been. Hell, if heneeded a friend, he could’ve chosen any of the ones she’d brought over, but he hadn’t, had he?
She shook her head. “I’m sorry. What I meant to say was…I think he needsyou.”
“Me?” I blinked, sure I’d heard her wrong.
“Yes.You.”
As her words washed over me, I couldn’t help but think that this was some kind of alternate universe. After telling me she thought he should recover without me, now Reid’s mom was over here asking me for help? Saying she thought Reid neededme? Even so, the quickest flash of hope went through me at the possibility of spending time with him again. But then I remembered our recent run-in, and I shut that down before it spiraled out of control.