Free Lakeside Reunion by Lisa Jordan

set the table, filled glasses with water and settled in her chair. “I missed you. Chatterbox and all. We don’t see enough of each other.”
    â€œIf you’d come home more often, we could.” Melissa clamped a hand over her lips and shook her head. “I am so sorry. Nate said my mouth was going to get me into trouble one of these days. He’s right, you know. I didn’t mean that the way it sounded, Linds. Believe me. I just meant—”
    â€œRelax. I know what you meant. And you’re right. I should have come home more. It was just so hard…so painful, you know?” Lindsey scooped some of the chicken casserole onto her plate. A few minutes ago, the savory herbs made her mouth water, but now her stomach ached. “How could I stay and risk running into the happy family at the grocery store? Or church? Or hang out with the same friends I shared with Stephen?”
    â€œI’m sure it would have been hard at first. I don’t think your friends would have felt like they had to choose sides. They loved both of you. But now you’re back.”
    Although her family and friends said they understood, no one truly did. She did what was best for everyone—she’d left. But now she was back. And her heart still ached just as much.
    Â 
    â€œMommy!”
    Stephen slapped the snooze button on the alarm clock before his sleep-induced brain kicked into gear and realized it wasn’t time to crawl out of bed yet. He forced an eyelid half-open and squinted at the clock.
    3:04 a.m.
    He groaned.
    â€œMommy!”
    He flung back the covers and dragged his fatigued body out of bed. Using the hall night-light as a guide, he stumbled to Tyler’s bedroom.
    He stifled a yawn as he edged his way to Tyler’s bed. The Spider-Man night-light in Ty’s room cast a reddish glow across the carpet. Stephen thought it looked creepy, but Ty insisted on it.
    As usual, the blankets were twisted with one end coiled around Ty’s leg. Ty huddled in the corner of his bed, clutching a crinkled photo and one of Bethany’s T-shirts. His eyes wide and unfocused.
    Stephen picked him up and cradled his stiff body against his chest. He dried Ty’s tears with the hem of his T-shirt and rubbed Ty’s back as he rocked him back and forth.
    â€œShh, Ty, you’re okay. I’m here.”
    â€œI want Mommy. My arm hurts.”
    â€œI’ll get the medicine. I’ll be right back.” Stephen started to lay Ty on his pillow, but Ty wrapped his good arm around Stephen’s neck.
    â€œNo! Don’t go! You won’t come back!”
    â€œYes, I will.” But instead of arguing, Stephen carried him to the bathroom across the hall. He flicked on the light and winced at the sudden brightness. Tyler buried his face in Stephen’s shoulder.
    He fumbled for the bottle of children’s ibuprofen and managed to measure out the correct dose of orange liquid without spilling it all over the counter. He handed it to Ty and waited as the kid downed the pain reliever. Stephen filled a plastic Spider-Man cup with water and gave Ty a drink.
    â€œAll better?”
    Still drinking, Ty nodded, spilling a few drops on his blue-and-red pajama top.
    â€œEasy, tiger. You’re giving Spidey a bath.” Stephen eased the cup out of Ty’s grip and dried off his face and shirt. He tossed the hand towel next to the sink.
    â€œCan I sleep in Mommy’s bed?”
    Stephen shook his head. “We talked about this, remember? You need to sleep in your bed.”
    â€œCan I sleep in your bed? Please? Just tonight? My arm hurts.” A tear slid down Ty’s cheek and splatted against the blue sling in his lap.
    Stephen’s heart splintered. He couldn’t fight this.
    With Ty’s legs wrapped around him, Stephen stumbled back to his own room. He tucked Ty into the king-size bed and settled beside him.
    â€œDad?”
    â€œHmm?”
    â€œDoes Mommy