The sofa bed looked comfortable enough, but it wasn’t her own bed. It didn’t have her stuffed animals – although she was holding the most important one clutched to her chest – it didn’t have her favorite bedding and most…
Author: SYL
214 Secrets and goodbyes
“It’s torture.” It was the only answer that really described how he felt and the only answer he used when anybody asked how he was doing. The theme of the last few days was dropping Zoë off at the Lakeview…
213 Reflecting
“Wow, they really went all out,” Luke concluded after turning off the TV and finding his familiar place next to Reid again. The doctor nodded with a vague smile. “They gave it their best shot,” he agreed. “But you still…
212 In context
Maybe he needed a lawyer. According to his earlier inquiries – confirmed by Child Services – he was legally authorized to claim custody, but after the verbal rampage of his housekeeper, he had a feeling leaving town with Zoë could…
211 Foreign affairs
With an annoyed tug, Charles Laker pulled of his collar and dropped himself on the bed. He noticed the alarm clock and frowned. It felt he’d been on that stupid elevator for hours, but apparently it had been ‘just’ half…
210 Pushing back
She had been waiting for him. Well, for them. But mostly for him. All this talk about her daddy had made her agitated. She needed to feel safe again. Accepted again. Away from expectations. Away from uncertainties. Away from this…
209 Insiders
Living in Podunk Illinois had its benefits. Sharing news with some people was sufficient. The minute they left the Lakeview it was very obvious. The word was out. Complete strangers gave encouraging smiles, kind words from acquaintances gave them heart…
208 First steps
He knew. Even if he hadn’t Googled the men earlier, he would have known. Even if Bill Chimberlane hadn’t walked up to them, he would have known. He could feel his heartbeat in his esophagus. He had stated emphatically that…
207 Falling apart
A strange silence filled the house. All the tears, fear and anger seemed to linger in the air. The peaceful setting on the couch was fake. Reid wasn’t really reading. His eyes were on the medical journal in his hand,…
206 Tribulation
He felt nervous, without really knowing why. Well, that wasn’t true. He knew why. It wasn’t because Bill Chimberlane had called. It wasn’t because Bill Chimberlane had arranged a meeting. Child Services checked in on a regular basis. No, it…
