She’d cried herself to sleep the night Dylan had declared himself. His ominous words had become a reality. Since they’d started with the dating site, she’d worried he’d get involved with someone, and she’d lose him. If he had met someone else, she’d told herself, there’d be time to prepare herself for the loss. Rae had never consideredshemight drive him away.
Mr. G. had started having Dylan stay later in the evenings. Rae expected them to make the announcement of the sale any day. She’d thought he’d ask her to watch Jayden on those evenings, but he either had his babysitter or Amelia watch the little boy instead.
Her little family missed seeing Dylan and Jayden. Beth haunted the front door, jiggling the handle. It made Rae think of last fall. The Littles had kept going back-and-forth between the two apartments and forgetting to close the doors. To keep Beth from tumbling down the stairs, Dylan had gotten permission to install a safety gate at the top.
Rae assessed the fondant and decided it was the right thickness. Beth squealed in the living room, and Preston shouted at her. Rae stepped into the room, and her son ducked his head.
“Why are you so cross today?” she asked him.
“I miss Jayden,” he said dolefully.
“I want Dillie.” Beth started to cry.
“Oh, baby, I know.” Rae lifted her daughter and hugged her. “He has to work today.”
“But it’s my birthday.” Preston leaned his head against Rae’s leg.
“I know, sweetheart.” Rae’s eyes stung. “Jayden’s grandpa took him to the water park today.” She wouldn’t have let Preston go with them even if Mr. Rademaker had invited her son. Which he hadn’t. “It’s a good thing for Jayden to spend time with his grandfather.”
“Why couldn’twego to the water park?” Preston looked at her, his expression accusatory.
“I explained that to you already.” Rae set Beth down. “Your sister can’t go on the same rides as you, and I can’t watch the two of you by myself.”
Every day she expected Preston, sensitive little soul that he was, to ask what was wrong. He recognized something was but simply wasn’t old enough to have the words to express his loss. Any more than he had last year when his father had died.
Rae wished she knew what to tell him. Why had Dylan ruined everything? They’d been happy the way things were. Well, she had, but obviously he hadn’t. Now no one was.
“I need to finish your cake,” she said. “We have a birthday party to get ready for.”
“Yes!” Preston’s face brightened, and he jumped up and down. His sister copied him.
“Can you and Beth pick up the balls please?”
While the children scurried around the living room, Rae went back into the kitchen. She’d invited a few of Preston’s friends from his day care. It would only last an hour and include a few games, the cake and ice cream, and then the gift opening. It was all she could handle alone.
* * *
By the timethe last child and parent left after the party, Rae was exhausted, and her house was trashed. Preston was happy though and didn’t argue when she suggested he rest while Beth took her nap.
As Rae cleaned, she wondered if perhaps she should look for another job and apartment. She’d chosen this complex because it had split-level apartments and was close to work. If she changed jobs, she could find somewhere closer to it.
When Rae finished cleaning, she sat on the couch with her laptop and opened a browser. In many ways the people at GPC had become her family, especially after Mike had died. Leaving would be agony. But seeing the now-distant Dylan almost every day was too.
Noise came from upstairs. With a sigh, Rae closed her computer and went up to Preston’s bedroom.
“Can I have more cake?” he asked as she combed Beth’s hair back into a ponytail.
“After dinner.”
“Ahh,” he complained.
“It’ll be worth the wait,” Rae said. “We’re having pizza for dinner, remember?”
“Yum! Can we go to the play center?” Preston clasped his hands to his chest and put on his begging expression.
Rae rolled her eyes. “Not tonight. Your party wore me out, but we can watch a movie.”
“Okay.” His response was so glum, she wondered if he were missing Jayden again. She did too.
