And she was an amazing mother. Calm but firm. Warm but structured. She listened to Kian. She’d nurtured him into the kind little boy he was now. She knew when to soothe and when to stand her ground and say no. She somehow always managed to pack Kian’s backpack exactly the way he liked—snacks on the left side in the pocket, a few of his favorite toys on the right.
Vic had seen moms at Kian’s preschool who barely remembered their kid’s lunch boxes.
Tachina remembered everything.
Which was why the odd, nervous energy she was giving off put himon alert.
“What’s going on?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” She blinked. She messed with her dress again and was barely maintaining eye contact with him.
“You’re acting a little different.” He wasn’t sure what it was, but she wasn’t acting like herself. She was usually relaxed, easily made conversation with him. But today, she seemed almost closed off.
“I’m not sure what to tell you.” She shrugged and offered a small smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “I’m fine.”
“Hmm…” He studied her and was not satisfied with her answers. He had known her for a while now, and there was something she wasn’t telling him.
“Daddy!” Kian burst into the room like a human missile. His sweatshirt was slightly crooked, his jeans unbutton as if he’d just thrown them on, and he only had one sock on. He flung himself at Vic.
“Hey, buddy.” Vic scooped him up and gave him a big hug. His heart grew soft for his boy. Kian wrapped his arms around his neck and squeezed right. Vic pretended to choke dramatically. “Wait! You’re crushing me!”
“I’m strong like the Hulk!” Kian flexed his arms once Vic placed him back down.
Vic’s chest swelled with pride at the reference. He was a huge fan of the comic book movies that had taken over the cinematic world for the last twenty-plus years. He had beenecstatic when Kian had fallen in love with the characters, too.
“You sure are.” Vic chuckled. “How was school today?”
“We had pizza, and Leo tried to eat a whole pizza, and Miss Susie got mad ’cause he threw up all over the classroom. And Mommy had the bubble guts today, so she was in the bathroom for hours after we got home?—”
“Kian Michael Maxwell!” Tachina sputtered. Her eyes went wide with horror.
Vic froze, then blinked. “Bubble guts?”
“Oh my goodness.” She covered her face with her hands. “Ignore what he said.”
“But, Mom, you said your stomach was rebellanin.” Kian frowned at her. The little man scratched his head, confusion lining his face.
“Rebelling,” she corrected. She blew out a deep breath and reached up to tuck her hair behind her ear.
“That’s what I said,” Kian insisted.
“Are you all right?” Vic swallowed a laugh that was threatening to erupt.
Kian did look concerned for his mother, so he held back. He didn’t want his son thinking he was inconsiderate of his mother’s illness.
“I’m fine,” she said quickly.
“You sure? I can have Dr. Collins come see you right now. He can be here within the hour,” Vic offered.
“No. Please don’t call your private physician,” shesaid, mortified. She barked a sharp laugh. “I promise you I am fine.”
Kian went over and took her hand in his. “But, Mommy. You said you were dying. She even had me go get her a ginger ale to help calm her tummy down.”
“Oh my God,” she whispered. She looked like she wanted the floor to swallow her whole. She leaned down and dropped a kiss on Kian’s forehead. “Kian, go get your shoes, please.”
He nodded and spun on his heel and took off running. Vic had to fight to keep a smile from his face. He cleared his throat and folded his arms in front of his chest.
“Feeling like you’re dying doesn’t sound fine,” he said.