Page 37 of I’m Already Gone

“Yeah, of course. Why would you ask that?”

She shrugs. “You look like you’re getting sicker.”

I give her a soft smile. “I’m just really tired, that’s all. Can you help me in the kitchen with dinner?”

“Yep!” She steps back and strolls into the kitchen.

Maddy’s my sous chef. Her eyes light up whenever we’re in the kitchen together. I cherish each giggle, how she fishes the shells out of the batter, and the sneaky bites she takes when she believes I’m not paying attention. But I am. I’m always watching. I will soak in each moment because I don’t know how many more we’ll have.

Jake slips his phone into his pocket and walks over to me. “Hey, Mom.”

I smile up at him. “Hi, Jake. How was work?”

He’s been working as a lifeguard at the community pool during the summer months.

“It’s always a good day when nobody drowns,” Jake says with a crooked grin.

A laugh slips out of me. “Yes, I’d say that qualifies.”

His grin widens before he turns toward the kitchen. “I’m going to help Maddy before she burns the house down.”

“I heard that!” Maddy yells from the kitchen.

“You were supposed to!” he shoots back, laughing.

Beneath Jake’s tough facade lies a soft heart, particularly when it involves me. After the divorce, he stood by my side, refusing to speak to his father for months until I finally had a heartfelt conversation with him.

Maddy takes everything in stride. At first, she was devastated to learn that her parents were no longer going to be together. Still, over time, she noticed I was smiling and laughing more, and she became more relaxed about how I was handling things.

Ollie rushes toward me, and I scoop him up in my arms. “How was your day?” I plant a kiss on his cheek, his excitement radiating back at me.

“Good!” he exclaims, his eyes sparkling. “We had cupcakes because it was Jessica’s birthday.”

“Really?” I reply, grinning. “What kind were they?”

He scrunches his little nose. “Chocolate.”

I give his side a light tickle, and he erupts in giggles. “Why the funny face? Chocolate is your favorite.”

Leaning in conspiratorially, he whispers like we’re sharing a top secret. “Because it wasn’t one of yours, Mama. You make the bestest cupcakes.”

He wraps his small arms tightly around my neck, and I can’t help but squeeze him back. “Aww, thank you, my sweet boy.”

“I want to help Maddy and Jake,” he declares, already wriggling to get down. I set him on his feet, and he immediately takes off, rushing toward the kitchen.

Sam approaches now that it’s just the two of us, her brow slightly furrowed. “Are you feeling okay?” she asks.

“I am,” I respond with what I hope is a convincing smile, but I can tell by the way she narrows her eyes slightly that she isn’t buying it.

I take a small breath. “I saw Ethan today.”

Her eyes widen. “Today?”

I dip my chin, a bit of a warm, bittersweet feeling swirling in my gut.

“Where?” she asks.

“He came into the shop.”