“Mom!” I ran to her and wrapped her in a tight hug. “They let you out for the day?”
She patted my back. “Not exactly. It’s more of a permanent thing.”
I pulled away to look at her. “Are you serious? You’re home for good?”
A series of shrill whistles made my ears ache as a tiny blue figure sped toward us. Finch reached us and scampered up Mom’s body to cling to her neck. She placed a hand over his small back and smiled, looking the happiest I’d seen her since she woke up in the hospital.
“Welcome home, Mrs. J,” Violet called from behind me. “Looking good!”
Mom laughed softly. “It’s great to see you, Violet.” Her gaze shifted to Faris and Conlan. “I saw you at the hospital, but I’m sorry, I don’t remember your names.”
I made the introductions, and she clasped Faris’s hand and then Conl
