that might strike at any moment. “I’m merely telling you that when children don’t have all the information, they still process things as if they do—and they make assumptions if they aren’t told what they need to know. I’d encourage you to consider how you talk about Wes and invite your kids to share anything they’re thinking with you.”
The counselor glanced down at Lilly, then back at Angela. “And consider trying to make it to group, even if it’s just once a month. During the half hour when we are all together, many children feel more supported when their caregiver is with them.”
Perhaps Angela could get Sherry to attend with the kids. She already depended on her mother-in-law much more than Sherry liked to babysit, but . . .
As if sensing Angela’s train of thought, Juliet made eye contact with her for several moments before speaking again. “They need you, Angela. You’re their mother. I know you’re hurting too—”
“I’m fine, actually. Doing better than ever. Just got a promotion.” Angela fiddled with the wedding ring on the chain around her neck. It hadn’t fit her finger since she’d had Lilly, and she’d never bothered to have it resized. “So now I’m going to have even more time with them. We’re going to get through this, together.”
“I can tell you’re a survivor. But there’s more to grief than surviving. Someday you’re going to thrive.”
“Of course we will.” And this promotion was just the start they needed. “Thank you for your concern, Juliet. My children are blessed to have you in their corner.” Angela meant it, however stale she sounded.
“We love having them here.”
The unspoken words hung between them—and we’d love to have you here too.
“I’d better get going.” Waking Lilly, Angela whisked her to the car, climbed in, pulled away from the counseling center, and headed toward their home in Queens.
“Where are we going?” Kylee asked. “I’m spending the night at Becky’s.”
“Yeah, and we’re going to Grandma’s, right?” Zach called from the back seat.
“Actually, I wanted to share some good news with you guys. I got a promotion.” She waited for their enthusiasm, but silence met her announcement. “So that means I can quit my weekend job, and you don’t have to spend the night with someone else on Fridays anymore. How about we grab a pizza and have movie night to celebrate? That’d be fun, right?”
“But, Mo-om! Grandma said she’d make Mickey pancakes in the morning.” Lilly’s yelp resounded in Angela’s ears despite the air whistling loudly through the vents of the old car.
“I can make pancakes at home. We used to do that a lot, remember?”
“Grandma’s are better. She uses chocolate chips for eyes and the smile.”
“I can try that.”
“I want Grandma’s.”
Angela couldn’t see Lilly but could hear the pout in her voice.
“I’m with Lilly on this one,” Kylee said. “Besides, Becky and I are going running with the team tomorrow.”
The high school cross-country team met occasionally throughout the summer to keep in shape. She secretly loved the fact her daughter had latched onto Angela’s sport of choice, even if Angela hadn’t run in many years.
“I’ll take you over in the morning.”
“You never change plans. Besides, don’t you have to give notice at your job or something?”
Kylee was right about both things, of course. But just this once, Angela had wanted to do something spontaneous. To celebrate the one piece of good news they’d had in a long time.
Angela sighed and rubbed her nose. “Zach, what do you want to do?”
“He’s reading again, Mom,” Lilly piped up. “But he told me earlier he couldn’t wait to show Grandma his latest book about bugs.”
An ache spread. Angela had been so sure that this promotion was the first step to getting her family back the way it was supposed to be. Once upon a time they’d enjoyed each other’s company. They’d learned together. Laughed together. Had fun together.
And then Wes had decided all of that wasn’t enough.
Her hands began to tremble.
“Fine.” Angela swerved around the corner and pressed her foot on the gas, pointing the car in the direction she did every Friday night. Sherry’s house first. Then on to Becky’s.
Then she’d go home, indulge in her nightly treadmill-and-Grey’s Anatomy routine, shower, and collapse in bed.
Alone.
2
Somehow Eva had managed to stay the course at work for the last week without royally screwing up.
Her step had an extra skip as she walked toward Maryanne’s office for their 9 a.m. Friday meeting. She was even five minutes early.