Mom looked worn out. Alyssa’s eyes flicked to my face like she was checking my mood.
“Everything okay?” I asked, light and casual.
Alyssa smiled—too quickly, too bright. “Of course,” she said.
“She did great. We sat on the bench for a bit and—”
“Actually,” I cut in, “why don’t you take the rest of the afternoon off? I’ll stay with Mom.”
She froze for a second.
“Oh,” she said.
“Are you sure? I was going to finish up her laundry and—”
“I’ve got it,” I said. “You’ve been going above and beyond.
Go rest.”
Something flickered in her expression. Worry? Guilt?
Fear?
“Okay,” she said slowly. “If you’re sure.”
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