"Aww mom." He shuffled over to wrap his thin arms around her waist and just leaned against her. Melanie felt her heart bursting inside her chest. It was little things like these that made it all worthwhile. The feel of her son's warmth pressed against her. His arms wrapped around her in love and confidence.
He knew he was loved without a doubt. Dusting her hands off, she hugged him tight. Grams had brought him over on her way to a church function.
"What can I do?"
Kissing the top of his head, she budged him away. "You can go and put your stuff away and come help set the table. We're doingfancy today." She snagged his arm before he could bound away. "I cleaned your room."
He rolled mahogany eyes at her, expression pained. "I was going to clean it."
"You said that two weeks ago. Baby, I love you to pieces, but if I come in there and see anything on the floor, I'm going to kill you."
He just grinned at her and danced away. "You love me too much!"
"I mean it," she called after him, her hands propped on her hips as she watched him dart through the hallway and into the direction of his room.
Shaking her head, she went back to sorting out her recipe. She had spent the latter part of the day longing for him to get home. It was strange how much he had grown on her. She had bonded with him while he was in her womb, even when she was as scared as hell about the future.
Pouring herself a glass of cheap table wine, she started chopping, the sound of Luther Vandross pumping through the device onher tabletop. David came back in when she was sliding the pie into the oven.
"I'm hungry." He announced, sniffing the air. "May I have cookies and milk? I promise I won't spoil my appetite." His eyes gleamed in hope as he watched her chop lettuce for the salad. And he hid the grimace well.
It couldn't just be pizza with his mom, she had to add some nasty vegetables as well and he was supposed to clean his plate.
"No." Glancing up from her chopping, she gave him a once over and noticed that he had washed up. "Go set the table."
"But..."
"Any other argument and you get one slice of pizza and mostly salad."
"Mom!"
"That's considered an argument."
"You're mean."
"Thanks." She blew him a kiss as she reached for tomatoes.
"Can I have a dog?" He sidled up to the counter, his adorable face pleading. "Johnny has this Golden retriever, and he says he got it at the pound. They have dogs there that don't have someone to love them."
Popping a cube of tomato in her mouth, she gave him a wry look. "When you learn to be more responsible, we'll have this discussion again."
"But mom..."
"Or we can dismiss the idea entirely." The glint in her eyes warned him not to push.
Shrugging one shoulder, he slouched off to set the table.
Chapter 3
Her friend's face was glowing with excitement. Melanie had no sooner entered the diner before Carrie grabbed her hand and practically dragged her over to a booth to the back of the building.
"I already ordered the club salad and the raspberry juice for you. What took you so long?" She demanded as she plopped herself down.
"Jessica had to rush out to an appointment, and I had to stay for a while. Where's the fire?"
"I have tickets." Carrie's eyes gleamed.
"Okay."
