Chapter 373

AMELIA “Amelia, honey?” Mom says as soon as I answer my phone. She sounds different than usual—more excited, more like her old self. “Hey, Mom! I was just on my way over. I’m in Mr. Aziz’s place. Do you need anything?” “No, I’m fine. Look, there’s a man here who says he knows you.” I place the ice cream I was inspecting back in the freezer and give her my full attention. Mom has lived in New York all her life, but I still wouldn’t call her streetwise. She’s always been quick to see the good in people, and I usually think that’s an admirable quality, but maybe not where strange men are concerned. I quickly pay for my goods, give Mr. Aziz a little wave as I leave, and start to power-walk the five blocks to my childhood home. “What’s his name, Mom? And you haven’t let him in the house, have you? Look, I’ll be there soon. Is the slugger still in the hallway?” Two women living alone need to take a few precautions, and we’ve always kept a baseball bat by the door. “Amelia, sweetheart, stop w