(Once) Again Read Online Free

here,” she said.
    She could’ve been bullshitting me for all I knew. Still there was a sliver of hope, and I held onto it.
    “Will Winnie the Pooh be back too?” I asked, eyeing her scrubs.
    A smile settled on her face, and it was as if I’d made the winning catch at state again.
    “No. But Mickey and Minnie will be.”

Chapter 3
    My mom had gone from cool and collected to a damn hovercraft. She was driving me freaking insane. I swear if I didn’t shut the door to piss, she’d follow me.
    I was propped against my wall, ready to hit the sack, when there was a single knock at my door. Mom barged in before I could give her the okay.
    “Do you need anything else? Water? A snack? I can heat up some of the chicken soup from the other night.”
    “Mom,” I said, but she didn’t hear me. She moved to my bed, fluffing the pillow beside me.
    “Are you comfortable? I can get you more pillows out of Liz’s room.”
    “Mom.” She had already given me three extra pillows, and even if I did want more, I was more than capable of getting them myself.
    She picked up a pair of my jeans from the floor and placed them in the hamper. Her eyes darted to the window and she reached out to it, sliding a hand along the sill. “There’s a bit of a draft. Let me get you another blanket.”
    “Mom!” I yelled and finally her attention snapped to me. By the way her lips curved down I realized I may have had a little too much acid in my tone. “I’m fine,” I said, and when she continued to stare I added, “really.”
    Normally I would love my mom fawning over me. Call me a mamma’s boy and I wouldn’t deny it. But it was different now. I wasn’t the same guy as a few weeks ago. Circumstances had changed. I was a twenty-year-old man living back home with my parents. Talk about pathetic.
    Mom sat down on the edge of my bed and rested her hands on her knees. “I don’t mean to be so overbearing.”
    “I know.”
    “I almost lost you. My baby.” Mom’s eyes got glassy and I hated myself more. I did this to her.
    “But you didn’t lose me. I’m here. Just as good-looking as ever,” I said and forced the smile she had come to expect of me.
    She patted my cheek and smiled back. It was good to see. It had been far too long. “That you are.” She motioned for me to lie down and while I wanted to give my usual response of “I’m fine,” I knew she needed this.
    I lay down and she pulled the comforter into place, tucking the sides in like she always did when I was a kid.
    She kissed my forehead. “Night, sweetie. I love you.”
    “Love you too, Mom.”
    “Oh. I almost forgot to ask. How did you like your aide?”
    At the mention of it, I smiled like a damn idiot. “I liked her just fine.”
    Mom cocked an eyebrow at me. “I’m assuming that means she’s a pretty thing, but that’s not what I’m asking. I need her to be able to take care of you when your father and I can’t be here.”
    Kat blew me off time and time again and didn’t take my shit. Yet at the same time—the way she changed my bandage, the gentleness she possessed, the professional demeanor she maintained—she was perfect.
    “Can’t deny that. But regardless, she’s good. You’ll approve, Mom.”
    Mom nodded, the tension easing from the corners of her eyes. “Good to know. I’ll let you get some sleep now.” Mom stood and flipped off my lights. She pulled the door behind her then stopped. “Josh.”
    “Yeah, Mom.”
    “Do me a favor.”
    It had been far too long since Mom had asked me for a favor. Maybe she was finally coming to terms with the fact that I didn’t die that day and was more than capable of helping around the house. Help dad mow the lawn? No problem, I’d figure out a way. Help her weed her flower beds? I’d be more than happy to.
    “Anything, Mom,” I answered with a smile.
    “Just keep it in your pants. Please.”
    Before I could recover, she shut the door, leaving me in darkness.
    ***
    I hugged the girl’s head to