••••
"Can I offer you some tea?" Nancy asks. I turn around, wondering for a second why she doesn't seem bothered by the tension surrounding her daughter. Then I remember the switches I'd made in her forever ago. After our trip to my mom's house, I realize her contentment switch applies to anything I do, and I guess, by extension, that applies to Stephanie.
I only hope Stephanie goes easy on Tina.
"No, thanks," I tell the older woman. We sit down to talk about minor stuff, but my mind is nowhere on the conversation. As she natters away, my mind wanders to past escapades with her and her daughter. I think about how I used my ability on her and how things have ended up how it was now.
"Nancy," I interrupt her mid sentence. She contentedly lets me. "Are you happy?"
"Of course," she answers without hesitation.
"I mean, with everything that your daughter and I have done, as well as with you?" I press, struck by a sudden need to know.
