Kevin stood in the doorway behind the screen. His face was scrunched up with worry, eyes red-rimmed like he'd been crying, or was about to.
April dropped to a crouch. “Hey, sweetie, what’s wrong? Did you have a nightmare?” She opened the screen and reached for Kevin.
“Yeah, what’s wrong, bud?”
Kevin wiped his eyes. “Shane? I was thinking about the crickets.”
“Okay, what about them?” Shane realized he’d gone to his knees beside April. When did that happen?
“If you have to add forty to the chirps, what happens when the temperature is less than forty degrees?”
Oh boy. “Then…you don’t hear them because they’re gone, buddy.”
“Oh,” Kevin whispered. Kevin’s single syllable landed like a gut punch. “That’s what I thought.”
Instant regret.Why did I tell him about the crickets?
“Honey,” April started. “What’s this really about?”
Kevin ignored her. “Are you leaving?” Kevin looked at Shane. “You’re supposed to be Mom’s bodyguard.”
“I am?—”
“But you hardly spent any time with her today. You spent it with me. What if something happened? It would be my fault.”
Shane and April looked at each other in horror.
“I’m okay, sweetie,” April said. She stood up and they went inside. She ushered Kevin to the couch and they sat down on either side of him. Pete plopped his head on Kevin’s knee. “Nothing’s going to happen to me, or to you.”
Kevin turned his gaze on Shane. “Can you stay over? Please?” he pleaded.
Shane watched April’s expression go straight to mortified.
“Sweetie, nothing’s going to happen tonight, just like it hasn’t happened any other night.” She looked desperately at Shane. “He doesn’t even have pajamas, and it’s not like he can wear mine.”
“Buddy,” Shane tried again. “Do you think I’d leave your mom helpless? I’ve assessed the risks and everything points to you guys being safe tonight.”
But by now, Kevin had worked himself up so much he was inconsolable. Tears rolled down his cheeks.
April put her arm around him and pulled him close. “You’re just tired,” she said in a soothing voice. “You’ve had a busy, exciting day and some stressful days before that. Why don’t Ituck you in?” She glanced at Shane. “We could both tuck you in. Pete could stand guard until you fall asleep?—”
“Mom,please. Let Shane stay. Let Peetie stay,” he sobbed.
Shane raised his eyes to April. “I could stay on the couch. It’s plenty comfortable.”
April’s face went through a complex series of movements that did not look promising. Finally, she closed her eyes and blew out a breath.
“This will not become a regular thing, understand?”
Shane wasn’t sure if she was talking to Kevin or to him. Or both.
Maybe to herself as well.
Kevin nodded as one last sob escaped him. He threw his arms around her. She hugged him tightly, eyes still closed. When she opened them, she fixed Shane with an apologetic look. He smiled back softly and mouthed the words,It’ll be alright.
“Now, let me tuck you in, sweetheart, and I’ll get Shane a pillow.” April stood and went down the hall with her arm still around Kevin. Pete trotted behind, casting one last look over his shoulder at Shane who could only grin at his buddy. April returned a few minutes later with a pillow and tossed it to him. When he caught it, he could smell her lilac soap and her soft scent all over it.
This is gonna be torture.
