“Chalk. I’m scared,” Lucy said as her lips trembled.
I gathered her up in my arms. “Hey. Stay here with me. You don’t have to be alone. I don’t want you to be alone.”
She laid her head on my shoulder for comfort. “I guess if I stay here for a week or so that might work.” She breathed out a long sigh in hesitation.
“Good. We’re going to get your stuff today and bring it back here. It’s the best thing for right now.” She would be staying with me and I wouldn’t have taken no for an answer anyway. I had too much at stake.
“Who’s bringing their stuff? Mom, are you coming to stay here? Are you coming to stay here!?”
The sudden shriek of noise coming from the floor startled us both and I was ashamed to say an unconscious flinch made me clutch Lucy a little tighter.
“Hey baby!” Lucy smiled. “You’re awake. Yep. I’m going to stay here a while. Would you like that?”
“Yes! You can take me to school every day. Whoopee!” Sarah’s little nap had given her a spring of life and her jumping around in a frenzy combined with clinging onto her mother.
Lucy grinned. “Ok, ok calm down. Come on, let’s watch that show you wanted to see.” She redirected Sarah over to the couch.
One less thing for me to worry about.