The last chapter. Thank you so, so much for reading. :)

Everything about mama was the same: her curly hair, her red lipstick, her cardigan.

"Abbie?" she said, walking around to their booth.

Jenny looked like she didn't know what the hell to say.

"How are you? It's been a minute." She fixed her cardigan. "Can I sit with my girls? It's been so long since I've seen both of you together."

"You can take my spot. I was just headed to the bathroom." Jenny slid out the booth and mama took her place.

"We were actually leaving."

"Abbs."

She didn't want to be near her. To say she was blindsided was an understatement.

"No, Jenny."

"It's just lunch."

Lunch her ass. She knew what Jenny was doing.

"I lost my appetite."

"Stay." She paused. "Abbs, please?"

She sighed. Her sister defeated her with that please thing. She couldn't stand it because it made her give in to Jenny. It could be the last brownie and she pulled that shit. Her eyes got all wide and cute; she'd bite her lip and pout.

"Go pee."

Abbie already knew her sister was going to sit at a back table and watch them have an awkward conversation.

Jenny kissed her and mama's cheek. "I'll be back."

Then she left. It was them now. A mama excited to see what her daughter had become and a daughter who couldn't forget her mama's past mistakes. They opened their menus.

"You've grown up to be so beautiful." She smiled.

Her eyes flew over the drink choices. A lemonade would not be strong enough to get her through this.

"What's good here, Bie?"

That nickname was especially hers. It calmed her down when she was worried or afraid. But now it didn't fit so easily in her ears.

"Don't call me that."

"You're too big for that now?"

How was she supposed to sit here and do this without exploding?

"Bie?"

"You don't get to call me that."

"But I like—"

"I don't care."

She put her menu down. "I'm still your mama."

That was it.

"A mama doesn't have an affair and ruin her family. A mama doesn't let the guy she cheated with move into her home, knowing he doesn't like kids. A mama doesn't put said guy before her children and leave them at a fucking neighbor's house. Anything could've happened to us. Thank God Corbin is a decent man; he practically took us in. You don't get to call yourself my mama."

She wiped the tears from her face. Abbie didn't care that she hurt her. She was hurt, too.

"I'm sorry, Abigail. How many times do I need to say it?"

In a booth not too far from them, she met eyes with Jenny, who shook her head, reminding her to calm down.

"I don't accept your apology."

"I don't know what you want."

Her tears came, too. "Why didn't you choose us? Why weren't we important enough? You were all we had."

"I was selfish. I was thirty and married with two children. It was like my life passed, like I was losing myself. Everything I did was for you girls and your father. There was nothing for me, for Lori. When I met Derek, we were friends first. He made our relationship all about me: what I wanted to eat, what I wanted to watch, what I wanted to do for fun. That's why I did what I did. My decisions wrecked everyone. And I hope you can forgive me."

To Abbie, it sounded like it was their fault for her mama's infidelity, like they were the ones who sucked everything from her until she had nothing to give. They weren't demanding children. Dad wasn't demanding either. She wanted to empathize. Yes, she's heard stories about women forgetting to cater to themselves after a marriage and kids. Yet, her relationship with Derek wasn't a good choice. Sleeping with another man was not how she should've found herself. Counseling would've been a better option or simply talking to her dad. There's always another way.

This didn't make her feel any better, but at least her mama seemed genuinely sorry. She did try to call to make up with her. That was worth something, though they still had a ways to go.

"That's no excuse."

"No, but that's the truth. I am sorry, Bie."

Not that she cared, but she said, "Are you still with him?"

"It ended about five years ago."

"What happened?"

"I saw him looking at photo of you and Jenny. He made the nastiest comment. He called you nappy heads and unintelligent, said all you two would be good for was whoring. That's when I woke up. The things I let happen to my babies, how I let him treat you girls, the excuses I made for him, everything drowned me." She shook her head. "I was a terrible mother. I had to make it right, so I did. First with Jenny and hopefully, with you. I was sure to thank Corbin for looking after my girls. He stepped in for your father, too. I owe him. He did a wonderful job."

She was glad her mama got rid of that asshole. He wasn't doing anyone any good, especially her and Jenny. Corbin told her she stopped him one day while he was on his way to work. She thanked and hugged him. All Abbie said was, "As well she should" and left it at that. Corbin earned a thank you from both her parents. She knew her dad was grateful for him, too.

"Corbin's great. I still see him."

"Tell him hi for me."

"I will." She took a deep breath. "Look, we have a lot to sort through. It's not gonna happen today or tomorrow. I'm still angry with you, but we'll take our time getting back to where we were."

Her mama reached across the table to briefly squeeze her hand. "That's all I want."

Abbie nodded and saw Jenny walk over toward them.

"How are you two?" she said.

"We're getting to a better place," Abbie said. "Would you like to have lunch with us, mama?"

She smiled and nodded.

They had to start somewhere.

"I'm proud of you, sissy," Jenny said, grabbing her pinky with hers.

"Thank you. We'll take it slow."

Jenny nodded. "It's almost six."

Abbie paced in her living room. They stayed at the diner, talking to mama about their time with Corbin and finding each other again. Mama was happy for them. Now, it was almost time to meet Mr. 205, Mr. Ichabod Crane. She had to be prepared for anything.

"Yeah."

"Yell for help, okay?"

Abbie nodded, even though she knew self-defense. But she liked the idea of her sister coming to her rescue like she did for her.

"Nervous?"

"I'm going batshit crazy." She laughed.

Five minutes. Crane only had to wait five minutes. Why wouldn't his clock move? Would she even want to meet him still? She could've changed her mind. Four minutes. He wondered what she looked like. If she was tall or short or had freckles and short hair. Heaven forbid she be like Katrina. That's the last thing he needed. He watched the clock until it hit five fifty-seven.

One hundred and twenty seconds. She bit her nail.

"You think he's black?" Abbie said.

"I don't know. Would it matter?"

"No. It could matter to him though."

"Well, then we'll know he's racist fuck and no good for you."

"Right." She walked to her door. "I'm going to wait outside."

Time. He stood as close to his door as possible. His fingers twitched. Stuff bubbled in his belly down to his toes. He thought he was losing his mind. Was she really on the other side of the door?

She knocked. The door opened. There he was. Mr. 205. Mr. Ichabod Crane himself. He had a beard. Abbie liked beards. They were sexy. White skin. Blue eyes. Tall. Slim. His fingers looked like they could reach places in her. He was definitely attractive, with a bookish look. She lucked up. Jenny would get a kick out of this.

"Hi," she said.

"Good evening, Miss Mills."

His voice could drop her fucking panties.

Crane thought she was exquisite. He was sure to thank God. She was a clear foot shorter than him. Beautiful brown skin and large light brown eyes, like a doe. Plump lips he'd loved to kiss for days. Her beauty conquered him; her voice leaked with strength.

"Nice to meet you, Ichabod," she said.

She couldn't believe it. He was here. In front of her. In person. She didn't expect this. Quite the opposite. She was excited to see where they'd go, if they'd have a lasting friendship, if they'd become more. There were possibilities with them.

He smiled. "You as well, Miss Mills. Thank you so much for your notes. They've brought me so much encouragement and joy."

He sounded just like his notes: kind, proper, optimistic.

"So have yours. They've helped a lot."

"I'm very pleased to hear it. I saw my parents today. They unexpectedly visited my job. I like their nerve."

"My mama caught me by surprise today, too."

"How did your encounter go?"

"She heard my side; I heard hers. We're taking it slow. You?"

"I wish you the very best in your relationship. I hope it becomes what it once was. You deserve nothing short of happiness in your life, Miss Mills. As for my parents…" He sighed. "They gave what they thought was an apology. Quite frankly, I'd rather have had them not show up at all."

She nodded. "Thank you. And if your parents don't fully get their heads out of their asses, then fuck them. You should be proud of yourself and proud of who you are regardless."

"Agreed. Would you like to come in? I could prepare us some tea."

She giggled. He seemed like the type.

"Sure."

They went inside and had tea and talked and talked and talked. There was no yelling.