“Out of the mouths of babes,” Jaylyn said quietly.

“Jay…”

“I know. I know you’re scared. But maybe that nine-year-old has the right idea. Maybe everyone should have someone to help them when they’re sad. Even you.”

—–

That evening, back at the Kennard house, Bette found Tina in the kitchen washing dishes while Carson worked on a puzzle at the table. The scene was so domestic, so normal, that it made her chest ache.

“How was Jaylyn?” Tina asked without turning around.

“Concerned. Opinionated. You know, typical Jaylyn.”

“Did she give you the third degree about me?”

“Something like that.”

Tina turned, drying her hands on a dish towel. “And what was the verdict?”

“That you’re still the same person who broke my heart ten years ago, and I’m still the same person who let you.”

The words hung in the air between them. Carson looked up from his puzzle, sensing the tension.

“Are you guys fighting again?” he asked.

“No, sweetheart,” Tina said quickly. “Just talking.”

“Can I watch a movie? The one about the dragon?”

“Of course. Why don’t you set it up in the living room?”

After Carson left, Tina moved closer to Bette. “Is that really what Jaylyn said?”

“No. She said I was being an idiot for not giving you a chance.”

“And what do you think?”

Bette was quiet for a moment, then looked directly at Tina. “I think the week is almost up.”

“I know.”

“I think I should go back to New York as planned.”

“I know that too.”

“I think you need time to heal. To figure out who you are without Darren, to focus on Carson, to rebuild your life.”

“And I think you’re running away again.”

“I’m being practical.”

“You’re being scared.”

“Maybe both.” Bette leaned against the counter. “Tina, even if we wanted to try this, how would it work? I live in New York. My job, my life, everything is there.”

“People move, Bette. People change their lives for the things that matter.”

“And what if it doesn’t work out? What if we try and fail? I uproot my entire life for you, and then what happens when you decide it’s too hard again?”

“I won’t…”

“You can’t promise that. You can’t promise that you won’t get scared or overwhelmed or decide that Carson needs something different.”