CHAPTER SIX

      BECCA TRIED TO focus on what Rick was saying. But her mind kept drifting to the news she’d received from the doctor and what it would mean to her life.

      “Hey, earth to Becca.”

      “I’m sorry. I guess I’m still groggy from my nap.”

      “I better go.” Rick rose and placed his glass in the sink.

      For a wild instant, Becca wished she could confide in him. She needed a shoulder to lean on so badly. But Rick was the last person to rely on for emotional support. Look where it had gotten them last time.

      “I’ll walk you to the door.” There must have been a note of desperation in her voice, because Rick raised an eyebrow.

      “Thanks, I think.”

      “I’m not trying to get rid of you…”

      “Hey, I didn’t intend to stay.” He ruffled Aaron’s hair on his way past. “Keep hittin’ the books.”

      “I’m almost done.”

      Becca breathed a sigh of relief when she closed the door behind Rick. She found pretending everything was normal tremendously draining.

      After helping Aaron with the rest of his homework, she tucked him into bed and ran a couple loads of laundry, then sat down on the couch in the great room.

      Glancing at her watch, she sighed. It was nearly time for Maya to be home from studying. Becca closed her eyes for just a moment…

      She awakened to the sound of glass breaking. Fear brought her instantly awake. Was it an intruder?

      But her eyes focused on Maya clumsily trying to scoop up pieces of Becca’s favorite vase.

      “I’m sorry, Mom. I was trying to be quiet, but I bumped into the table, and the vase…” Maya swayed. “Broke.”

      Becca went to her daughter and was dismayed when she smelled beer.

      Grasping Maya’s arm, she asked, “Have you been drinking?”

      “No!” But the teenager hiccuped and giggled. “I guess I’m busted.”

      “Where’d you get the beer?”

      “Nowhere.”

      “Maya, I want to know the truth. Where were you tonight and how did you get the beer?”

      “I told you, I was at Trina’s house. Her dad keeps a whole fridgeful.”

      What had happened to her levelheaded honor student?

      “Maya, this isn’t like you.”

      “No big deal. Everybody does it.”

      “Not you. We’ll discuss your punishment in the morning when you’re more likely to remember, but you can bet you’ll be grounded for starters.”

      “Sure, Mom, whatever.” Maya wove her way to the stairs and managed to navigate them on legs that were probably steadier than her mother’s. “G’night.”

      “’Night, baby,” she murmured, wishing her daughter was in fact a baby again. So Becca could keep her safe from harm.

      RICK THOUGHT he might just expire on the spot. His lungs burned, his muscles screamed in protest, and sweat nearly blinded him.

      But he would not give up.

      He lunged for the shot and managed to return it cleanly.

      David loped a few steps and sent it zinging back with awesome power.

      Rick raised his racket in self-defense, sending a low ball to the corner. It took a wicked hop.

      David cursed as he lunged, missing the ball by a hairbreadth.

      “I win.” Rick hoped the kid couldn’t hear him wheeze. Man, he was getting too old to compete with the young guys.

      “Lucky shot, old man.” David slapped him on the back.