“Good, because he might not. The same with me if I’m with patients.”
“I told Jayce he could stay with you while I’m gone too. That it’s his job to be the man of the house and watch out for you. He said he’d do it.”
She smiled sweetly and winked at her boyfriend. “I’m sure he has no problem doing it.”
“I enjoy keeping you in line,” he said, moving closer to her. “Are you sure you’re good going alone?”
“I’m only driving an hour,” she said, “and then turning around after I meet Tucker.” They always met at the same place. A restaurant parking lot. She could go in and use the bathroomif need be and turn around and be back on her way quickly enough.
“Are you staying with Mom tonight?” Archer asked.
“If she wants me too.”
She found it funny that he was playing it this way. “I’d like that. You’re good with it, Archer?”
“Yep. Mom makes the best French toast. You know. You had it the morning after my sleepover. I’m going to miss it. Dad just makes me toast or eggs. Not the good stuff.”
“You’ll be staying in a hotel for ten days. No one is cooking, so you’ll get lots of good stuff. And try not to stuff your face too much and get a bellyache.”
“Dad’s a doctor. He can fix me like you.”
He could, but he wouldn’t have the same gentle hand.
And she had to remind herself that was life.
No harm would come to her son with his father other than maybe he wouldn’t be as comfortable or mentally relaxed.
“There you go,” Jayce said. “You’re going to have a great time. I’m jealous.”
“You’ve never been to Disney before?”
“We went to Disney World once, but not Disneyland. I’ve been to California before with work for my last job. Maybe I should have checked it out.”
“Or we can go sometime,” Archer said. “The three of us. Right, Mom?”
“Let’s get through this trip first,” she said. She looked at her watch. “Sorry, we’ve got to get on the road.”
“I’ll be here when you get back. I’ll have lunch waiting for you.”
She was meeting Tucker at eleven.
“I’ll be starving too. Archer, run to the bathroom while I look over your carry-on bag. Remember, if you take anything out of this today, put it back or you won’t have it in California.”
It was one change of clothing if there were flight issues, plus her son’s electronics and his epi-nasal spray along with some Benadryl.
“I won’t take anything out, I promise. Dad doesn’t let me play games much either, but at least I can on the plane.”
“That’s right. It will help. Go to the bathroom and I’ll put your stuff in the car.”
“I’ve got it,” Jayce said. “Are you going to be okay bringing him? I can go with you so you’re not alone driving home and upset.”
“I’ll be fine. I’ve been doing this for years.”
“But not for two weeks.”
“It’s different this time,” she said quietly.
She wouldn’t be coming home to a completely empty house with echoes of her son’s laughter. She wouldn’t be watching the clock counting down the time until he’d be home because she was lonely. She wouldn’t be sitting by herself eating all her meals in silence.
