As Aiden had caught on, both boys had accelerated the game with more and more daring touches, culminating Friday after the game when Aiden had admired Glen’s belt buckle tugging at it gently several times. Aiden laughed as he remembered how red Glen’s face got and how he had untucked his shirt before playfully tackling Aiden and pinning him to the ground.

* * * * *

Christine looked into her daughter’s eyes as she slowly turned around, holding her daughter’s gaze. Finally, Christine closed her eyes, ‘I think she’s actually telling the truth.’  She opened her eyes and saw that Ashley was still standing at the foot of her bed, “Ashley sit down you’re making me nervous.” Christine watched as Ashley slowly walked over to the chair closest to her bed. She appeared to be trying to make up her mind up about something before moving directly next to the bed. Christine cringed slightly as Ashley bent down and wrapped her in a warm embrace whispering, “I’m so happy that you’re okay mom.” Christine could feel Ashley’s body shaking as she began to sob. For the first time in years, Christine moved her arm to hug her daughter, her body relaxing as she closed her eyes against the tears.

* * * * *

Spencer looked stunned. Arthur’s heart ached as he looked at his daughter, he wanted to protect her from the ugly things in this world, and here he was bringing some of the ugliest into her life. He felt horrible. Spencer looked at her dad and noticed his expression, “Dad this is not your fault, I just…I can’t believe mom would…an affair?”  She looked into her dad’s eyes, “I mean I knew that you and mom would be taking some time off from each other, but this is…dad are you okay?” Arthur tried to say he was fine, that he would be fine, but the words stuck in his throat. He felt his chest hitch painfully as his eyes filled with tears. He was immediately enveloped in warmth as both Zadie and Spencer hugged him telling him that everything would work out okay. ‘I just wish I actually believed it.’

* * * * *

Ashley slowly pulled back from her mom and sat down in a chair, pulling it closer to the bed. “Mom do you remember my friend Spencer?” Christine felt her body tensing again as she saw Paula’s face, “Yes she’s that woman’s daughter isn’t she?” Ashley took a deep breath, “Yes she is.” Christine was silent as she waited for her daughter to continue. “What Mrs. Carlin did was wrong…but I forgive her.”