Chapter 24

“Mom? Are you home?” I mind link her when I pull up to the house.

“Out in the garden, Honey,” her voice sings sweetly in my head, “Why are you here?”

I make my way to Mom’s vegetable garden. She is pulling carrots out of the ground and putting them in an enormous basket. “I can’t make time to stop and say hello to my mother without getting questioned?”

“You know I didn’t mean it like that, Honey but it’s true. You never stop by during the week. Did your meetings go okay this morning?” She looks at me with concern.

“Oh yeah. We should expect some big donations in the next couple of months from both companies.” I give her a convincing nod.

“Is there anything you can’t do?” She flicks dirt at me playfully.

“I can’t keep Rocky in check,” I squat down next to her, taking a serious tone. “I had to block him, Mom.”

“Oh Keller! I’m so sorry to hear that,” she tilts her head and looks at me remorsefully, “How long