“I don’t know what your kids saw. I can guess if it got so bad that shit is as ugly as it is for you. What I do know is that, you’re right, they shouldn’t see that stuff. You’re also wrong. Kids gotta learn they gotta stick up for themselves. That there are consequences to actions. That you don’t play with emotions. And you never piss on them. So it got outta hand. You’re pullin’ yourself together. If they’re good kids,” another hands squeeze, “and I know you got good kids, Amelia. You’re a good woman, you can’t have anything but. So I also know they’ll come around.”

“I hope you’re right,” I whispered.

“This is gonna sound harsh,” she replied. “But they got a good mom and if they go the way of their dad and piss all over her, then it’ll suck, it’ll kill, but that’s the way it is and you just keep on lookin’ after you. They don’t come around, it’s the wrong decision, Amelia. You pulled up stakes and tucked your tail between your legs and gave it your all and if they don’t have it in them to let go and let you back in, then they’ll have consequences. And those consequences will be losing you.”

“You can’t say I’m much to lose because you barely know me,” I reminded her.

“I know you’re hangin’ on by a thread,” she returned instantly. “That thread is the last you got after unravelling and you got the courage and strength to hang the fuck on and not let go, and you’re doin’ all that for your kids. Your ex fucked up your life. He did that. You didn’t. He broke your trust. He kicked your heart around. And you might have faltered along the way, but you haven’t fallen yet. So you got that in you and you’re still fightin’ to keep your family alive, they don’t wake up and see, their loss.”

“Alyssa,” Josie said warningly.

Alyssa sliced her gaze to Josie and sat back, letting my hand go and repeating, “Their loss.”

“If the impossible happened and this happened to you, would you feel the same way about your children?” Josie asked.