“Look, I just don’t know,” Valo sighed, lowering her head to her hands. “I mean, you’re my lawyer… what do you have to say about this? If I say I can’t take care of the kid, how long will he be in the system?”

“God only knows,” Sara replied candidly. “And even getting him into a foster home could take some time, depending on whether there’s any available space and so forth. Honestly, Jess, this is just me talking, but I think it might be good for you to take the kid in, even if it’s just until he can be put into foster care.”

“Look, Lowry, you may be a brilliant lawyer and all, but you’re kind of forgetting a few things.”

“Such as?”

“Well, for starters, I’m no good with kids. I didn’t even get along well with kids when I was one. If I wanted to raise kids, I’d have had some myself. And besides, I don’t know this kid. I don’t know if he’ll be trouble or not. I can’t just step in and take over a parenting role, Sara, I’m a stranger to this kid. It wouldn’t be right, you know? Plus, as busy as I am, I don’t have time to juggle a kid and a career.”


Sara smiled knowingly and responded, “Jess, the fact that you’re actually concerned about this stuff shows that you’re a lot more responsible than some of the real parents I’ve met. Tell you what, how about you meet the kid, maybe spend some time with him, and then decide? Maybe, just maybe, you’ll find that you have something in common with him and actually want to take him in.”

“Fat chance.”

“Could be worse, Jess. You could have a super-girly niece to take in.”

Valo groaned loudly. “Don’t kid about that, Sara. Don’t even kid.”


“Honey, are you done cleaning your room yet?” Jade asked, peering into the bedroom.

“Uh-huh,” the little boy replied, nodding. “Just have to make my bed.”

“Good. Everyone’s going to be here in about half an hour, so you can help me get everything ready.”

The child smiled, then asked, “Mom, when’s Dad going to be back home?”

“Very soon, Nathan, I promise. But he’s going to call tonight and talk to us,” Jade replied.

“Like he does every night!”

“That’s right, sweetheart.”

“Mom, is Missy going to come?”

“Of course she is. Lisa, also.”

Nathan grinned broadly. “Good. I like when they come over to play,” he said.

“I’m so happy you’re such good friends. I wish I had friends my age when I was a kid,” Jade said with a sigh. “Now, make your bed, and then come to the kitchen.”

“Okay, Mom,” Nathan replied. Then, he added, “Mom?”

“Yeah, hon?”

“I love you!”

Jade smiled a little. “I love you, too.”


She sighed and walked to the kitchen. As she took the plates from the cabinet, she thought to herself, Well, it hasn’t been an easy life, but I have a good one. I’m a successful journalist, married to a well-known musician, and I have a wonderful, intelligent child. Things are looking a lot better now than they were twenty years ago. And Graham’s going to be back home soon enough. It’s rough living away from him most of the time, but we do manage.

Just then, the doorbell rang. Jade raised an eyebrow. Are they here early? she thought. How strange! She smoothed her hair , then hurried to answer the door.