#Chapter 45: Mothers

Ava’s Pov It was weird, having to prepare to see my mom in the hospital. I’d been calling her as much as possible, though I admit it wasn’t enough. I called ahead and let the hospital and my mother know that I would be coming in to visit. Ethan and I spent all morning dressing as nicely as we could, respectable and sweet. It felt wrong having to prepare so intensely. “Are you okay?” Ethan asked, we were sitting in the parking garage of the hospital. I was staring straight ahead at the concrete wall, planning how I would explain everything that had happened since the last time I saw my mother. A lot had happened. “I am,” I assured him. “I just hope she likes you.” Ethan laughed, disguising his own stress, “I hope so too.” I smiled at him, and he held out a hand. I placed my palm in his and he brought it to his lips, pressing a chaste, comforting kiss to the back of our intertwined hands. “Let’s go.” He let go of my hand and exited the car. He walked around and ope