“You’re working for me, for one.”

That was the perfect opening to talk about earlier. “I am.” Sherry straightened. “And because of that I have lied to my son. I’ve lied to him about one of the most essential things in life.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Love, Madison. I’ve lied to Jake about who I love.” Sherry tried whenever possible to tell him the truth. She didn’t want to be like her own mother, who lied to her whenever she’d opened her mouth. But I’m lying to him about this. Bile rose in her throat.

“You haven’t told him that you love me.”

“Come on, what else would he think after what I told him?” Sherry asked, sounding harsher than she intended.

“He thinks we’re friends, nothing else.” Madison sounded as if she were trying to convince herself. She grabbed her glass from the table and stood. “I’m going to get myself some more. Want, um, a water or something?”

“No, thank you.”

When Madison came back, she sat down at the very end of the couch as if trying to get some distance between them. She drained half of the glass in one huge gulp. “It could take years until my grandmother bites the d…until she dies.”

Even though Madison spoke softly, her words felt like a slap in the face.

Granted, she had already thought the same, but having Madison voice it made it more real. Jake would bond with Madison over the years. Much more than he already had. But it couldn’t be helped. Should she thank Madison or condemn her?

“This situation isn’t easy for any of us,” Madison said when Sherry kept silent. “But kids are resistant. Whatever happens, Jake will get over it.”

“I don’t want him having to get over anything.”

Madison drained the glass and put it down. “It’s a little late for questioning your decision to do this, don’t you think?”

“Decision? You forced me into this,” Sherry spat. “Have you forgotten already?”

A flash of guilt washed over Madison’s face. Then she jumped up, and Sherry flinched.

But Madison didn’t come any closer. Instead she moved to the window. Almost able to touch the glass, she gazed outside.

Thinking she could talk with Madison about this in a normal manner had been stupid. She got up. “I’m going to bed.”

“I’m not good at this, okay?” Madison said without turning.

Sherry halted. Good at what? Emotions? She wanted to walk away but found herself standing beside Madison, looking up at her. “Don’t hurt my baby. That’s all I’m asking.”