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My brother, Will, came for a whirlwind weekend visit, and I’m glad he got to meet Samuel.
Samuelismaking a life with us.
I need to focus on positives.
I’m working two days a week and spending more time with Rose.
We have moved into our new house.Ourhome, and I love it.
Life should be good.
Yet I feel dread in the pit of my stomach. And it’s eating me up. Every time I try to speak to Samuel, he brushes me off.
And now I learn he has kept a secret from me regarding his health.
I head up the stairs slower than usual. Rose slept here last night as I stayed the night with Yasmine, her last night. I don’t know if Samuel worked late. When Michael called Yasmine early this morning to confirm he had arrived in Iquitos, she went quiet on the phone.
It all makes sense now.
I swing open the door to Samuel playing on the carpet with Rose. “Oh, you’re here?”
“Yes, I missed my girls, so I came for a stroll.”
“He came for breakfast.” Mum laughs. “Both have eaten blueberry pancakes.”
“And now we have full tummies.” Samuel tickles Rose’s stomach, and she waddles away laughing.
Samuel jumps to his feet and comes to me. “I missed you last night.” He pulls me in for a hug. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. I just worry about her.” I place a hand over his lower abdomen, glance at my hand and then look at him straight in the eye. “Like I worry about you.”
His gaze flicks over my face. “She’ll be home soon, and Michael has promised to watch out for both girls.”
I decide not to quiz him further until we’re alone.
“Did she sleep well last night?” I ask Mum.
“From seven to seven.” Mum smiles. She packs up the last of Rose’s toys and zips up her bag. “How was your night with Yasmine?”
“Fun. I’m happy for her, although I’m going to miss her.”
“Perhaps you should make a trip to see Amy?” She hands me Rose’s bag and smiles.
“You read my mind. I was going to call her tomorrow. Anyway, we’ll get out of your hair as I’m sure you and Dad have plans.”
“It’s always a pleasure to have Rose. Dad popped out right before you got here, and when he returns, we’re looking at some furniture stores. The couch is giving me a sore back so we’re going shopping for a new one.”
“Good luck. It took me weeks to decide.” I grin at Samuel then pick up Rose and position her on my hip.
“Thank you for sharing your story of Dawn with Winston,” Mum says to Samuel.
I look between Mum and Samuel. “Kaikare? What story?”
Mum places a hand on my arm as her eyes soften. “Samuel told us a few things about Kaikare… well, we like to think of her as Dawn.”
“Nothing you don’t already know, honey.”
I bite my lip. He’s finally opening to us, even if it’s from years ago. It’s a start.
