“There are options,” Mark says. “But after all the tests, we decided to take a break before we think further about it.”
She sighs. “I can understand that.”
“Stay for dinner? I’m just going to order pizza or something.”
Her eyes flash with happiness. “I’d love to.”
She doesn’t spend enough time with us. Mark worries about her living alone and her love affair with alcohol. She’s always clear-headed when she has anything to do with Sophie—she loves her, so I do trust her.
But I also like to encourage her to spend time with us.
I like Lauren—she’s a part of our family and not just because she’s Mark’s sister.
“I’ll sort that out,” Mark says. “The usual?”
I nod. We all have our favourites, and just for a moment I’m taken back to the night at Patrick’s place with the toughsteak and how he remembered what I liked. It’s so weird how your memory sucks you in like that—from the best moments to the cringiest and the worst.
“Cassie?” Lauren gives me a nudge.
“Sorry, I was miles away.”
“I said, if you need anything, just let me know. I want to be here for you guys while you’re working through this.”
I force a smile. “I appreciate it.”
The couch dips beside me and arms wrap around my neck.
Sophie plants a big wet kiss on my cheek, and I roar with laughter before wiping it off with my hand.
She giggles. I love that sound.
Sophie leans her head against mine. “I’m glad you’re home. What happened?”
She knows what’s going on—it’s impossible to keep anything secret in our house.
“Well, we have to stop and have a think about things because they’re not working out the way we want.” I squeeze her knee.
“Okay. You know I love you guys, right?”
“Of course I do.”
“It doesn’t matter if I’m an only child. I’m kind of used to it.”
I meet her gaze—the one that always makes me think of her father. “You’re very wise for your age.”
“I learned from the best.”
It’s not easy being the mother of a teenager. No one ever warns you about how their puberty also hits you hard. Sophie’s not a little girl anymore—she’s a young woman who’s beautiful and smart, and Mark always talks abouthow he wants to lock her in her room until she’s twenty-one.
The thought of not having another child is hard, but as long as I have Sophie, I have everything.
The following days are tough.
I’ve told Mark until I’m blue in the face that I don’t blame him—how can I? It’s not his fault that his body doesn’t want to co-operate.
But he feels it to his bones.
He swore to never let me down, and he feels like he’s betrayed that vow. It’s ridiculous in my eyes, but he’s also a proud man who’s just been dealt a heavy blow.
