Page 89 of Contentious

“What would I do… if something ever happened to you?”

She tightened her hold on him, deeply resentful that Marlon had forced her to have this conversation with their innocent child. “Auntie Marlene and Auntie DeeDee would be there for you, along with our many friends. You’d have an entire village rallying around you.”

“I don’t want them. I want you. And Carson.”

“I’m not going anywhere, and he’s not either.”

“He didn’t die?”

“No, sweetie. The doctors saved his life.”

Hearing that, Ty broke down in sobs.

Before this incident, she couldn’t recall the last time he’d cried like that. “Shhh. It’s all right. Everything is okay.”

“I was so sure you were going to tell me he died.”

“Thank goodness he didn’t.”

“I really like him.”

“I do, too.”

“Do you think he likes us a lot, too?”

“I know he does. He thinks you’re great.”

“He thinks you are, too. He’s always watching you.”

“Is he?”

“Uh-huh. That means he likes you.”

“How do you know?”

“Duh, I know what it’s like to think a girl is pretty.”

Cresley bit her lip to keep from laughing. Leave it to him to make her laugh during such a difficult conversation. She kissed the top of his head. “I don’t want you to worry about losing me. That’s not going to happen, okay?”

“You don’t know that for sure.”

“No, I don’t, but I’m pretty sure it’s not something you need to be concerned about any time soon. I plan to live to be an old, cranky lady that you have to take care of.”

“That sounds fun.”

“I’m sure it will be, because we always have fun together.”

“Yes, we do.”

“Marlene is going to the house to get our stuff, so you need to let me know what you want for a couple of days.”

“Is it safe for her to go there?”

“Carson’s brother let the LAPD know she was coming.”

“Oh, that’s good.” He gasped. “Hey, I’m supposed to be at school!”

“You’re getting a free day off.” Unlike most kids, that wouldn’t make him happy. He loved school and worked hard to do well. “It’s one day, so don’t worry.”