“Of course. What time?”
“One until about four in the afternoon. Maybe a little later.”
She sounded tired.
“Is everything all right?”
“Just some things I need to sort out.”
I suspected what the appointment was about, but I didn’t press her.
When I arrived, the children were already arguing over whether we should build a blanket fort or bake cookies.
Emily kissed each of them goodbye. “Be good for Grandma.”
“We always are,” Noah said.
Emily laughed. “That’s an interesting version of events.”
Before leaving, she pulled me aside.
She looked toward the children, then lowered her voice.
“Mom, don’t discuss the stuff I told you about around them. They don’t need to worry.”
“I won’t.”
She hugged me tightly.
I watched her drive away, wishing she’d tell me exactly how frightened she was.
The first hour passed peacefully.
We built a fort with couch cushions, watched cartoons, and ate apple slices.
