Chapter Text
Chris adjusted the rearview mirror, her smile growing until it practically lit up the car. “Look, buddy! There it is—Grandma’s house!” Her excitement bubbled over as she pointed out the window toward the small, cozy two-story home nestled snugly between two similar looking houses. Sure, the shutters were peeling, and the flower beds were a little wild, but to Chris, it was picture-perfect.
“We made it!” she said cheerfully, glancing at Jaime in the backseat. Her three-year-old son clutched his beloved stuffed lion, “Roar,” in one arm and kicked his feet idly.
“Grandma’s house?” Jaime asked, his small voice filled with wonder as he peered out the window.
“That’s the one!” Chris chirped, grinning wide. “What do you think? Cute, huh?”
Jaime tilted his head, studying the house with all the seriousness of a home inspector. “It’s... little.” He dragged the word out, like he wasn’t sure if that was a compliment.
Chris laughed, turning off the engine. “Little? Nah, it’s just cozy! And perfect for adventures. Besides, Grandma’s been working hard to make it ready just for us. I bet she’s going to spoil you rotten.”
Jaime hugged Roar tighter, his expression suddenly very serious. “I don’t wanna get rotten.”
Chris snorted, hopping out of the car. “Don’t worry, bud. You’ll stay just the way you are—awesome.” She walked around to his door and opened it with a flourish. “Now, let’s go say hi to Grandma!”
As she unbuckled him, Jaime wiggled in protest. “I can do it! I’m big!”
Chris grinned, scooping him up anyway and twirling him in the air. “You’re big, huh? Well, Mr. Big, let me help you out of this rocket ship first.” She set him down gently, and he grabbed her hand immediately, his tiny fingers gripping hers like it was the most natural thing in the world.
The front door swung open just as they reached the porch, and out came Trinity Holden, her arms spread wide and her face beaming. At barely five-foot-two, she was all energy and warmth.
“Chris! Jaime! My babies! Get over here!”
Chris laughed and rushed into her mother’s embrace, squeezing her tight. “Hi, Mom! Thanks for letting us crash here.”
“Crash? Nonsense!” Trinity exclaimed, stepping back to cup Chris’s face with a smile. “This is your home now. Jaime’s room is all set up, and I’ve got lasagna in the oven. And wait till you hear—there’s chocolate chip ice cream for dessert!”
Jaime’s face lit up like fireworks. “Ice cream?!”
“Yup!” Trinity knelt down to his level, grinning. “Your favorite.”
Jaime squinted at her with the utmost seriousness. “Not the kind with nuts?”
Trinity gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. “Absolutely not! Nuts in ice cream? That’s just wrong!”
Satisfied, Jaime gave a firm nod. “Good. I like Grandma’s house.”
Chris chuckled, her heart swelling as she took in the moment. “Told you it was perfect,” she said, giving Jaime’s hand a squeeze.
As Chris shut the door behind them, Trinity was already darting toward the kitchen, her slippers slapping against the hardwood floor with an energy that matched her personality. “Go on, get your things upstairs,” she called over her shoulder, her hands already reaching for plates in the cupboard. “Dinner’ll be ready in ten minutes—lasagna and garlic bread. No excuses!”
Chris beamed, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “You’re amazing, Mom. Seriously, where would I be without you?”
Trinity waved her off, a playful grin tugging at her lips. “Oh, probably lost and hungry, but let’s not dwell on that. Now scoot!”
Chris turned to Jaime, who was clinging tightly to her hand and staring up at the staircase like it might suddenly grow teeth. “Ready to check out your brand-new room, buddy?” she asked, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.
Jaime hesitated, his nose scrunching. “Do I hafta?”
Chris crouched down with a big, exaggerated gasp. “What? Of course! Roar needs to see it too! Grandma said she made it super cool. Plus, we’ve gotta unpack Roar’s bed. He can’t just sleep in the suitcase, can he?”
Jaime’s eyes widened as if she’d just revealed the most important mission ever. “Roar needs a bed?” he asked solemnly.
“Oh, absolutely,” Chris said, nodding with mock seriousness. “Only the comfiest bed for him.”
Jaime mulled this over, then raised his arms. “Okay. But you gotta carry me.”
Chris grinned and scooped him up with a dramatic flourish. “Your chariot awaits, Sir Jaime!” she declared, grabbing one of their bags with her free hand and making her way toward the stairs.
As they climbed, the familiar creak of the steps mixed with the warm, comforting aroma of lavender air freshener and lasagna wafting from the kitchen below. “Can you smell that, kiddo?” Chris asked with a grin. “That’s the smell of Grandma being the best.”
At the top of the stairs, she nudged open the door to what had once been her childhood bedroom. Her breath caught at the sight—her mom had really gone all out. The once pink paradise was now a cozy kid’s dream: a twin bed decked out in bright blue dinosaur sheets, a cheerful rocket-ship rug spread across the hardwood floor, and a small bookshelf stocked with picture books, a few toy dinosaurs, and even some unopened action figures.
“Whoa!” Jaime wriggled free of her arms, his initial hesitation forgotten as he toddled over to the bed and patted the comforter. “Dinosaurs!” he squealed, his eyes lighting up.
Chris set the bag down by the closet, laughing. “Told you Grandma was gonna make this the coolest room ever.”
Jaime climbed onto the bed and plopped Roar onto the pillow. “This is your bed now, Roar,” he announced firmly. Then he turned to Chris with wide eyes. “Where’s your bed, Mama?”
Chris gestured toward the hallway with a smile. “Just next door, buddy. We’re neighbors! I’ll be right here if you need me.”
Jaime nodded, clearly satisfied with this arrangement, and gave the bed a little bounce. “It’s squishy!” he declared with a giggle.
Chris laughed, the sound light and genuine as she leaned down to ruffle his hair. “Why don’t you hang out here and explore your new room while I grab the rest of our stuff? Dinner’s almost ready, and Grandma’s lasagna is the best thing on the planet.”
“Okay!” Jaime said, already absorbed in the bookshelf, his tiny fingers tugging at the edge of a colorful picture book.
Chris stepped into the hallway, pausing to lean against the doorframe for a moment. She took a deep breath, letting the mixture of exhaustion and relief wash over her. Things weren’t perfect, but for now, they were okay—and that was enough.
Chris jogged down the stairs, her boots softly thudding against the worn wood as she hummed a tune under her breath. Grabbing the last two duffel bags from the trunk of her car, she paused for a moment, looking up at the house. The warm glow of the porch light seemed to wrap the whole place in a big, cozy hug. She couldn’t help but grin. For the first time in what felt like ages, the pieces of her life seemed to be clicking back together.
“Alright, last load!” she said to herself, balancing the bags on her shoulders. With a little wiggle of her hips, she nudged the car door shut and headed back inside.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, the sound of Jaime’s giggles floated down from upstairs, light and happy. Chris beamed, her heart practically melting. “Hey, you better not be jumping on that bed already!” she called up teasingly, her voice full of mock sternness.
“No, Mama!” Jaime’s voice rang out, full of mischief that made Chris arch an eyebrow.
“Oh, we’ll see about that,” she murmured, climbing the stairs two at a time.
Peeking into Jaime’s room, Chris saw him sitting cross-legged on the rug, his dinosaur shirt and shorts a little rumpled as he flipped through a colorful picture book. He grinned up at her, holding up the book like it was the most amazing treasure in the world. “Look, Mama! It’s all about dinosaurs!”
Chris knelt down beside him, a giggle bubbling out of her. “Well, Grandma sure nailed it, didn’t she? She must’ve known exactly what her favorite little guy needed.”
Jaime nodded eagerly, turning the book to show her a particularly fierce-looking T. rex. Chris ruffled his soft curls, planting a quick kiss on his forehead. “Alright, buddy. You hang out here and keep Roar company while I head downstairs to help Grandma, okay?”
“Okay, Mama!” Jaime said, already lost in the pages again. Chris chuckled to herself as she stood, feeling a little lighter with each step back down.
The smell of lasagna hit her as soon as she reached the bottom of the stairs, warm and rich, mingling with the faint, cheerful hum of oldies music coming from the kitchen. She found her mom at the counter, slicing bread with the precision of someone who’d perfected this routine years ago.
“Smells like heaven in here,” Chris said, stepping into the kitchen and leaning on the doorway with a dreamy sigh.
Trinity looked up with a smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. “It’s just dinner, nothing fancy. You’ve had a long drive—go sit down, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
Chris shook her head, already heading towards her. “I’m not just gonna sit while you do everything! I can help.”
Trinity waved the bread knife at her with mock authority. “Nonsense. You’ve done enough for one day. Go sit. That’s an order.”
Chris burst out laughing, holding her hands up like a surrendering soldier. “Alright, alright! You win, General Grandma!” She slid into a chair at the dining table, her eyes wandering to the familiar framed photos on the wall. Her heart warmed at the sight of old memories—pictures of herself from high school and college, mingled with more recent shots of Jaime, smiling with all the toothy enthusiasm of a three-year-old.
“Grandma says ice cream after dinner!” Jaime’s voice called excitedly from upstairs, cutting through Chris’s thoughts.
“That’s right!” Trinity shouted back without missing a beat. “But only if you eat all your lasagna first!”
“Okay!” Jaime’s reply was full of determination, and Chris couldn’t help but laugh.
She turned back to Trinity, shaking her head. “You know he’s gonna hold you to that, right?”
Trinity slid the bread onto a baking sheet and popped it into the oven, her expression softening. “And I’ll gladly keep my promise. That boy deserves a little spoiling after everything he’s been through. And so do you, kiddo.”
Chris leaned back in her chair, a smile spreading across her face as the warmth of the moment settled around her like a blanket. For the first time in forever, life felt... normal. And that, she thought, was everything.
The house was calm now, the kind of quiet that felt like a big, warm hug. Chris tiptoed out of Jaime’s room, the old floorboards creaking softly under her boots. Jaime had conked out almost the second his head hit the pillow, his little fingers gripping Roar in a protective hug. Chris paused in the doorway, her smile as soft as the glow of the nightlight casting gentle stegosaurus-shaped shadows on the walls. After a moment, she pulled the door halfway closed and gave it a tiny, satisfied nod.
Downstairs, the kitchen light was still on, spilling its cozy glow over the dining table. Chris found her mom seated there, her hands wrapped around a mug of tea that sent tendrils of steam curling into the air. Trinity glanced up as Chris entered, a knowing smile lighting up her face.
“Did the little prince finally surrender?”
Chris grinned, plopping into the chair across from her. “Out like a light. I think the dinosaurs might’ve been too much excitement for one day.”
Trinity chuckled, sliding a second mug toward her. “Called it. Chamomile for you—still your favorite, right?”
Chris gasped in mock delight, cradling the mug in her hands like it was a treasure. “You know me so well! Thanks, Mom.”
The two of them sat quietly for a moment, sipping their tea and soaking in the peaceful stillness of the house. It felt so different from the chaos Chris had been wading through lately—different in the best way. Finally, Trinity broke the silence, her voice gentle but curious.
“So, how are you doing, sweetheart? Really?”
Chris blinked, momentarily caught off guard. She glanced down at her tea, swirling it like the answer might float to the surface. After a moment, she let out a soft sigh. “Honestly? I’m just... so happy to be away from Gordon.”
Trinity nodded, her expression patient and encouraging. She didn’t rush Chris, just waited for her to go on.
Chris fiddled with the edge of her mug, the warmth grounding her. “It’s like... I was holding my breath for years. Everything had to be so careful, so perfect. If Gordon wasn’t yelling, he was sulking. And when he wasn’t sulking, he was acting like everything was peachy—like he hadn’t just screamed at me in front of Jaime.” She shook her head, her tone tinged with both disbelief and relief. “Now, it’s like I can finally breathe again.”
Trinity reached across the table and gently placed her hand over Chris’s. “I’m proud of you, Chris. That couldn’t have been easy. But you did it.”
Chris’s lips twitched into a small, grateful smile. “It wasn’t. But I had to. For Jaime.” Her voice softened as she continued. “He didn’t say much, but... I could see it in the way he looked at Gordon. He was scared. And no kid should have to feel that way—not about their father.”
Trinity gave her hand a firm squeeze. “You did the right thing, sweetheart. Jaime’s lucky to have a mom like you. And don’t forget—you always have a home here, for as long as you need.”
Chris blinked quickly, pushing back the tears threatening to spill. She squeezed her mom’s hand in return, her voice brightening. “Thanks, Mom. I mean it. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Trinity tilted her head, her grin playful. “Oh, you’d figure it out. You’re tougher than you think, kiddo. You always have been.”
Chris let out a light laugh, brushing a tear off her cheek. “Well, for now, I think I’m just going to soak up being here. No drama, no Gordon, just me, Jaime, and, apparently, a lot of dinosaur books.”
Trinity leaned back in her chair, her laugh bubbling up and filling the room. “Sounds like a pretty perfect plan to me.”
The next morning, sunlight poured through a thin veil of clouds, painting the driveway in a soft, golden glow as Chris buckled Jaime into his booster seat. She hummed cheerfully as she tugged the strap into place.
“Alright, little man, ready for some shopping?” she asked, her voice bright with enthusiasm.
Jaime kicked his legs against the seat, grinning. “Can I get a toy?”
Chris laughed, starting the car with a flourish. “We’ll see! But remember, today’s mission is clothes—super cool, awesome, fun clothes! Think of it as an adventure.”
Jaime pouted for a second, crossing his arms dramatically. “Clothes are boring.”
Chris gasped playfully, glancing at him in the rearview mirror. “Boring? What if we find shirts with dinosaurs or rocket ships? You’d be the coolest kid in town!”
Jaime’s pout dissolved into excitement. “Dinosaurs? Okay, that’s not boring!”
The trip to the thrift store didn’t take long, and Chris parked the car with a triumphant “Ta-da!” She unbuckled Jaime and held his hand as they walked toward the store, her energy bubbling over. “Okay, buddy, let’s see what treasures we can dig up!”
Inside, the air smelled faintly of old fabric and lemon cleaner. Chris led Jaime to the kids’ section, their steps echoing lightly on the linoleum floor.
“Alright, champ, dive in!” she said, gesturing to the racks of tiny shirts and pants.
Jaime wasted no time, rifling through the clothes until he held up a bright green shirt with a cartoon triceratops on it. “Mama! Look at this one!”
Chris clapped her hands together. “Oh, that is perfect! Great pick, buddy. Let’s keep the dino vibes rolling!”
As they browsed, Chris noticed the store employees huddled near the counter, their heads bent toward a small TV mounted in the corner. The news broadcast caught her eye: bold red letters flashed across the bottom of the screen—“Mysterious Illness Spreading in Southern Wisconsin.”
Chris frowned slightly, straining to hear over the store’s hum. Words like “fever,” “aggression,” and “unexplained attacks” prickled at her optimism, but she quickly shook it off. The news always made things sound scarier than they were, didn’t it?
“Mama! Look at me!” Jaime’s excited shout pulled her back. She turned to see him wearing an oversized cowboy hat, his grin as wide as the brim.
“Oh my goodness, is that Sheriff Jaime?” Chris gasped, putting her hands on her hips. “Partner, you’re looking mighty fine, but how are we gonna fit that big ol’ hat in the car?”
Jaime giggled, tipping the hat back with dramatic flair. “I’ll ride a horse!”
Chris laughed, before guiding him to put the hat back. They wandered into the women’s section, Chris flipping through a rack of jeans as Jaime admired the colorful displays nearby.
Suddenly, a commotion near the entrance caught Chris’s attention. A man stumbled into the store, his movements jerky and uneven. His clothes were torn, a dark, crusty stain on his arm catching the light.
Chris froze, her cheerful demeanor faltering as the employees approached him.
“Sir, are you alright?” one of them asked, their voice calm but cautious.
The man swayed but didn’t respond. Instead, a low, guttural groan escaped his lips, and his eyes rolled back as he crumpled to the floor.
The thud echoed in the store, and Chris instinctively stepped closer to Jaime, her hand tightening on the basket she held.
“Call 911!” one of the employees yelled, dropping to her knees beside the man.
Chris’s heart raced, the light, airy mood of the morning evaporating. She could feel Jaime’s small hand clutching her sleeve.
“Mama,” he whispered, his voice barely audible. “What’s happening?”
Chris crouched down, keeping her tone light but firm. “It’s okay, sweetie. We’re just going to finish up quick and head home, alright?”
Jaime nodded, his wide eyes flicking toward the scene.
Chris grabbed their basket, heading briskly for the register. “Let’s check out, buddy. Grandma’s waiting for us, and we’ve got a big lunch date, remember?”
At the counter, the cashier’s hands trembled as she scanned the items, her gaze darting toward the man on the floor. Chris glanced over her shoulder. The employees were still trying to help him, their voices tense as he mumbled something over and over.
“Too hot... too hot... why so hot...”
Chris shivered, trying to block out the eerie tone of his words.
The cashier handed her the bag with a shaky smile. “Here you go.”
Chris managed her brightest grin in return. “Thank you so much! You guys have a great day.” She turned, ushering Jaime toward the door with purpose.
As they stepped outside into the sunshine, Chris took a deep breath and forced her voice to stay upbeat. “Alright, cowboy, let’s go find some lunch. How about pancakes? Or maybe... chicken nuggets?”
Jaime hesitated, still glancing back at the store. But at the mention of nuggets, he looked up at her, a tentative smile spreading across his face. “Nuggets!”
“That’s my boy!” Chris said, giving his hand a squeeze. “Let’s hit the road, partner!”
Despite the bright morning, Chris couldn’t shake the unease settling in her chest. But for Jaime, she kept her steps bouncy and her smile wide. One step at a time, she told herself. One step at a time.
The afternoon sun streamed through the curtains, filling the living room with a golden glow as Chris and Jaime burst through the front door. The screen door banged shut behind them, but Chris didn’t seem to notice. She was too busy kicking off her shoes and twirling around dramatically.
“Ah, home sweet home! The castle awaits!” she declared, sweeping her arms wide.
Jaime giggled, clutching at his dinosaur shirt as he dashed toward the corner where his toys were neatly stacked. “I’m gonna build a fort!”
“You do that, my little architect,” Chris said, grinning as she slipped off her jacket and draped it over the back of a chair. She turned to see her mom, sitting on the couch with a book in her lap.
“How’d it go?” Trinity asked, setting the book aside with a warm smile.
Chris plopped onto the armchair with a dramatic sigh, her tone teasing. “Oh, you know, we conquered the thrift store and came out victorious. Jaime scored a super awesome dino shirt, and I resisted the urge to buy that fabulous sequined jacket I definitely don’t need.”
Trinity chuckled. “Sounds like a win to me.”
Chris paused for a moment, her smile faltering slightly. “There was something weird, though.”
Trinity raised an eyebrow, leaning forward. “Weird? How so?”
Chris twirled a loose strand of hair around her finger as she explained, her voice still light but tinged with curiosity. “This guy came in, and he looked... really out of it. Like he didn’t know where he was. He kept mumbling about being too hot, and then he just collapsed. The employees called 911, but it was so strange. He didn’t look like he just had the flu or something. It was... off.”
Trinity’s brow furrowed. “Was he hurt?”
“There was some blood on his arm,” Chris said, shaking her head. “It was more like... I don’t know. Like he wasn’t all there.”
Trinity reached out and gave Chris’s hand a reassuring squeeze. “Honey, don’t worry yourself over it. People get sick all the time. I’m sure the paramedics took care of him.”
Chris nodded quickly, brushing off the unease. “Yeah, you’re probably right. It’s just... it felt weird, you know? But I’m not letting one weird moment ruin our day. We’ve got way more fun stuff to focus on, like dinner plans.”
Trinity smiled softly. “That’s the spirit.”
Chris jumped to her feet, her energy bubbling over. “Speaking of plans, I need to check the newspaper and start scouting for a job. Gotta bring home the bacon.”
Jaime perked up from his pile of toys. “You’re getting a job, Mama?”
Chris crouched down beside him, her smile as bright as ever. “You bet! I’ve got to earn us lots of money so we can buy more toys and maybe some dinosaur pajamas to match your shirt.”
Jaime’s face lit up. “And dino slippers too?”
Chris gasped theatrically. “Dino slippers? Now you’re thinking big! Let’s make it happen.”
As Jaime giggled and went back to his fort-building mission, Chris grabbed the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel from the table and spread it out. She scanned the classifieds, tapping her chin thoughtfully.
“Let’s see... daycare looking for help? Hmm, kids and I get along. Bakery assistant? I could totally rock that apron. Oh, part-time library aide? Books and quiet time—yes, please!”
Trinity walked over, a mug of tea in hand, and placed it next to Chris. “You’ll find something, sweetheart. You always do.”
Chris beamed up at her mom. “Thanks, Mom. And hey, don’t worry—when I’m rolling in dough, I’ll treat us to a weekend spa trip. You’ve earned it.”
Trinity laughed. “I’ll hold you to that.”
As Chris kept flipping through the paper, she caught snippets of the news playing softly on the TV. A serious-looking reporter was talking about a mysterious illness spreading across the state. The words “fever” and “aggression” flashed on the screen, and for a moment, Chris hesitated.
“Mom,” she said, glancing over her shoulder. “Have you heard anything about this illness they keep mentioning?”
Trinity waved a hand dismissively. “Oh, just the news doing what it always does—making mountains out of molehills. I wouldn’t worry about it.”
Chris nodded, pushing the unease aside. “Yeah, you’re right. Probably just a lot of hype. Nothing we can’t handle.”
Jaime ran up, holding a toy dinosaur in each hand. “Mama, look! They’re having a battle!”
Chris gasped, placing a hand over her heart. “Oh no! Who’s going to win? Is it Stego Steve or Rexy Ralph?”
“Rexy Ralph!” Jaime shouted, making growling noises as he marched the T. rex across the couch.
Chris laughed, scooping him into her arms. “Well, as long as Rexy doesn’t stomp through my classified ads, we’re good!”
The rest of the afternoon passed with Chris jotting down potential job leads and fielding Jaime’s imaginative dino battles. And though the world outside seemed to be shifting in strange ways, inside their cozy living room, Chris was determined to keep things light and hopeful. Because if there was one thing she believed, it was that a little optimism could go a long way—even when things got weird.
Chris hung up the phone with a triumphant little clap, her grin as bright as the sunlight streaming through the window. “Two interviews, Jaime! Two! Your mama’s officially on a roll!”
From his spot by the window, Jaime turned slightly, his small hands clutching the edge of the sill. “Uh-huh,” he mumbled, his gaze fixed outside.
Chris, ever the optimist, bounced over to him, crouching down to his level with an exaggerated gasp. “What’s got you so serious, mister? Did you spot a dragon in the yard? A spaceship, maybe?”
Jaime pointed without looking at her. “Grandma’s talkin’,” he said simply, his little brow furrowed in concentration.
Chris followed his gaze and spotted her mom, Trinity, standing near the fence chatting with Mrs. Holloway. The older woman was gesturing animatedly, her sunhat bobbing as she talked. Chris squinted, trying to read their lips. “Hmm, looks like a top-secret meeting about... flowers! Bet Grandma’s giving away all her rose-growing secrets.”
Jaime didn’t reply, his focus unwavering.
Chris plopped down beside him with a dramatic sigh, leaning her chin on her hand. “You’re such a little detective, you know that? What do you think they’re really talking about? Aliens? World peace? Grandma’s secret cookie recipe?”
Jaime tilted his head, finally glancing at her. “The lady wobbled,” he said seriously.
Chris blinked, her playful smile dimming slightly. She turned back to the window just as Mrs. Holloway stumbled, her neighborly cheer fading as Trinity quickly steadied her. Mrs. Holloway muttered something Chris couldn’t hear, shook her head, and pulled away, looking embarrassed. She waved faintly and started back toward her house, her steps unsteady.
Chris frowned, her bubbly energy faltering for just a moment. “Hmm. That’s...unusual.”
A second later, the front door creaked open, and Trinity walked in, wiping her hands on her apron. Her smile was sunny as ever. “Well, that was a chat and a half. She wanted to know what fertilizer I use for the roses—bless her heart, she’s trying so hard to keep those geraniums alive.”
Chris pushed herself up from the floor and sauntered over, still smiling but with a hint of concern in her eyes. “Everything okay? Mrs. Holloway looked a little... off. She’s not sick or anything, is she?”
Trinity waved a dismissive hand, brushing past her toward the kitchen. “Oh, she’s fine. Poor thing got a little dizzy standing in the sun too long. She nearly tripped over the garden bed, but I caught her in time.”
Chris’s gaze dropped to her mom’s arm, where a thin, red scratch stood out just below her sleeve. She gasped, grabbing Trinity’s hand. “Mom! You’re injured! Battle wound from saving Mrs. Holloway, huh?”
Trinity laughed, gently pulling her arm back. “It’s nothing, sweetheart. Just a little scratch. I’ll put some ointment on it later. Honestly, you’d think I was dying with how dramatic you’re being.”
Chris put her hands on her hips, her tone mock-stern. “Excuse me, but I am the resident drama queen, thank you very much. And I don’t take any risks when it comes to my favorite mom.” She gave Trinity a cheeky grin, though a flicker of unease lingered beneath her playful tone.
Jaime, who had been watching the whole exchange from his spot at the window, piped up. “Grandma’s arm hurt,” he said, his voice small but firm.
Chris turned back to him, her smile softening as she knelt beside him again. “Grandma’s tough, buddy. That little scratch doesn’t stand a chance against her.” She ruffled his hair, but her heart gave a tiny wobble at the way he was looking at her—so serious, so sure.
Trinity leaned against the kitchen counter, her smile unwavering. “Jaime, I promise I’m fine. Your mom’s just being silly, as usual.”
Chris threw up her hands with a laugh. “Guilty as charged! I’ll keep my silliness to a minimum, scout’s honor.”
She glanced out the window again, her cheerful façade slipping for just a moment. The memory of Mrs. Holloway stumbling and the faint scratch on Trinity’s arm itched at the back of her mind. But she shook it off quickly, plastering on another grin.
“All right, team!” she declared, clapping her hands. “Enough with the serious faces. Who wants to help me brainstorm what I should wear to my interviews? Jaime, I’m thinking dinosaur socks for good luck—what do you think?”
Jaime giggled, the tension in his little face easing. “Yeah! With the red ones!”
“That’s my boy!” Chris cheered, scooping him up and spinning him around. As his giggles filled the room, she told herself there was nothing to worry about. Everything was fine—had to be. She wasn’t going to let a couple of weird moments ruin the fresh start they were building.
Still, when she glanced at her mom, she couldn’t quite shake the tiny flicker of doubt in the back of her mind. But for now, she pushed it aside. Optimism was her superpower, and she wasn’t about to let it slip. Not yet.