Cyrus and Jeanie squealed, and I smiled instantly when they launched themselves at me, yelling my name. Catching them in a bear hug, I realized how much I missed them. I didn’t want to, but I looked up at Madie, feeling tears gather in my eyes. I missed her so much. The last month without her made me feel more disconnected from the world.

“Janie! Guess what?!?” Cyrus yelled in my ear.

“What, honey?” I asked, feeling his contagious happiness.

“I have a baby now!” he yelled, jumping into my arms. I looked over to see the baby in the stroller, and she was beautiful. She looked just like Madie.

“It’s not your baby,” Jeanie corrected him, rolling her eyes like any big sister would do.

“She is my baby,” he whined, back to her. “Right, Janie?”

“I kissed the side of his head. She can be your baby sister, right, Jeanie?” I looked at her and she smiled at me, kissing her cheek.

“Janie, we’ve missed you. When are you coming over so we can play princesses again?” I felt nauseated because I had planned to never see Madie again, but I didn’t know if I could do that anymore. Whatever I was mad about wasn’t as important as seeing these kids I had grown so close to. Honestly, not talking to Madie hurt more than I’d like to admit, but what she did had hurt me. I felt like I could have saved myself at least one breakdown if I had known that he was a cheating bastard. We could have gone our separate ways, and I wouldn’t have had to suffer his death and then his infidelity.

“Hopefully soon, honey. I’ve been really busy having to get some stuff I ordered.”

“Mommy said you were busy, and didn’t know when you’d be back.” Cyrus latched his arms around my neck.

“Yeah, I’ve been busy having to work and sort some stuff out, too. Maybe once I have some free time, I can go over.”

“Yes!!! Please, Please, Please!!” She jumped up and down.

“Ok, I’ll let your mom know.” Getting up, I looked at Madie. I didn’t know where we went from here. I was upset with her, hurt, betrayed, but I also felt like life was too short to be mad at her.

“I’m sorry. I felt like they put me in a hard position, but I regret not saying something, even if it was anonymous.” Tears welled up in her eyes, and I felt like I couldn’t speak with all the emotions in my throat. “He constantly told me he would tell you, but he just never did, and I was too afraid. You were always so happy, and I just didn’t want to ruin it for you but—”