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Eternal Flames—Chapter 2
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“Good. Because that little boy needs to see his mother happy. And frankly, so do Edwin and I. We’ve been worried sick about you, Tina.”
“I know. I’m sorry for putting you through this.”
“Don’t apologize, sweetheart. Just get better. For all of us.”
As they sat down to dinner, Carson chattering about school and his friends, Bette found herself watching Tina carefully. She was making an effort, asking Carson about his day, smiling at his stories. But Bette could see the exhaustion in her eyes, the way she pushed her food around her plate.
“Mom, will you read to me tonight?” Carson asked as Lauren served dessert.
“Of course, baby. What do you want to read?”
“The dragon book. The one about the brave knight.”
“I remember that one,” Bette said. “I used to read it to your mom when she was scared.”
“Mom gets scared?” Carson looked surprised.
“Everyone gets scared sometimes,” Tina said gently. “Even moms.”
“But that’s why we have friends, right? To help us be brave?”
Tina’s eyes met Bette’s across the table. “That’s right, sweetheart. That’s exactly why we have friends.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Later, as Carson got ready for bed, Bette found herself lingering in the hallway outside his room. She could hear Tina’s voice, soft and soothing, reading the familiar story. For a moment, she allowed herself to imagine what it might have been like if things had been different. If she and Tina had been brave enough to face their feelings ten years ago.
“She’s a good mother,” Edwin said quietly, appearing beside her. “Even now, when she’s falling apart, she’s trying to protect him.”
“He’s lucky to have her. And lucky to have you and Lauren.”
“We’re lucky to have him. And we’re lucky you came back, Bette. I know it wasn’t easy.”
“It wasn’t. But I’m glad I did.”
Edwin nodded. “She never stopped loving you, you know. Even when she was with Darren, even when she was trying to convince herself she was happy. Lauren and I always knew.”
“Edwin…”
“I’m not trying to pressure you. I just wanted you to know. Whatever happened between you two, whatever hurt there was, it never changed how she felt about you.”
Bette was quiet for a moment, listening to Tina’s voice through the door. “She hurt me, Edwin. Badly.”
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Progress has been made, i agree with Bette.
Carson sounds as a really sweet loving boy who loves his mother very much and want her happy.
Tina needs to be careful, Bette warned her she isn’t ready to tell about her private life and still she asked it twice already, maybe not intentionally but still, she needs to be patient.