"Thanks, Mom."
I tried to give her a reassuring smile as I patted her knee and stood up. "Goodnight, sweetheart."
"Goodnight, Mom."
I turned to go. "Mom?"
"Yeah, Sweetie?"
"You shouldn't let anyone tell you differently, either."
I smiled at her. "Okay."
As I shut the door behind me I closed my eyes. "Too late for me, Paige."
***
"So, are you finished with those technical manuals?"
"Mmm, yes. I finished with them yesterday. Thank God." I took another bite of the savory chicken dish we were sharing. It tasted incredible.
Sandy giggled, which made me blush. "What's up next?"
I groaned. "Dress shopping."
"Ha, that's a bit of a non sequitur. Why?"
"I told you, that party Saturday night?"
"Oh, yeah. Where your mom wants you to..."
"Yup. I'll have to at least talk to him." I took
