Page 186 of Halo

The front door bangs shut.

“Mrs. Harrison!”

Grady comes barreling into the kitchen wearing his glasses and his ballet clothes under a jacket, his little dance bag bouncing against his hip.

“Look what I learned!”

Before I can answer, he plants his feet and carefully moves into some approximation of first position.

I smile despite everything. “Look at you.”

“I can teach you.”

“Oh, buddy, I—”

Nick comes in behind him and takes one look at me. His smile disappears, and his hand immediately settles against my lower back.

“You okay?”

“I’m fine.”

His eyes narrow.

“I am.”

“Uh-huh.”

Grady peers at the stove. “Are we having pancakes for dinner?”

“Why not?”

His entire face lights up. “Yes!”

Nick shakes his head, but he’s smiling. “Go wash your hands, partner.”

Grady disappears down the hall, and the second he’s gone, Nick turns me toward him.

“You’re pushing too hard.”

“I made pancakes.”

“You threw up.”

I glance toward the sink. “You saw that?”

“I have eyes.”

“I need to do something, Nick.” My voice comes out more defensive than I intend. “I can’t spend every day lying in bed waiting to feel sick again.”

His expression softens. “I know.”

“I need some part of my life to feel normal.”

He kisses my forehead. “Then we’re having pancakes.”

After dinner, though, whatever energy I borrowed to make it through the evening disappears.

“I’m going to shower,” I tell him. “I feel gross.”