“Hi,” I say.

“Hi, there. Hey, Max. Micah’s excited for the sleepover.”

Max’s voice is cotton soft. “Hi.”

Alec ushers us into the house, and I tell Max to take off his boots.

“Thanks again,” I tell Alec. “And sorry this was so…last minute.”

“No problem. It’ll be good for the boys to have some time together. Micah’s got a movie or two in mind. Popcorn. Hot chocolate, of course. Assuming that’s okay with you.”

“That sounds great. I wish I could be here, too.”

“Yeah, so do I,” he says. Alec looks down at Max. “Hey, buddy, feel free to head into the living room. Micah’s putting together a LEGO set. You like LEGOs?”

Max shrugs. “I guess.”

“Give me a hug,” I say to Max. “Then go play with Micah.”

Max shuffles over and gives me a weak embrace. I bend down and look him in the eyes. “Have a good time, sweetie, okay?”

His expression is somewhere between apathetic and miserable. “Okay.”

“And remember what we talked about. We’re a team.”

“I don’t like this,” he whispers.

I whisper back, “I know. But you need to do this. I’m sorry.” I rise. “Now, go play.”

Alec directs him. “Right in there, little man.”

Max disappears around the corner and Alec steps closer to me. “Can’t you stay for a little while?”

I shake my head.

He gives my shoulder a glancing stroke with his fingertips. “You okay?”

How would I even go about answering this question?

“No,” I say. “But I’m not going to break down like the last time I saw you.”

“You can if you want.”

I nod, knowing the chances of me doing so increase every second I stay. Every extra moment I might have someone to lean on increases my vulnerability, and I don’t want to be vulnerable. Not now, not tonight. I have no idea what’s going to happen over the next few hours, but I need Teflon skin for the occasion.

“I know,” I tell him. “Thank you.”

“Do you want Max to call you tonight before he goes to bed?”

“I’d love that, if he wants to. If he doesn’t, that’s fine, too.”

“Got it.”

I point at Max’s backpack on the floor. “He has everything he needs for tonight and for school tomorrow, assuming they don’t cancel again. He’ll eat anything, but don’t be offended if he picks at his food. He just does that. Maybe no soft drinks… A lot of sugar isn’t great for his mood.”

“Sure.”

“And speaking of, he might get moody. Ever since his dad… You know. He might zone out all of a sudden, and he’s not always comfortable around people he doesn’t know that well.”

“We’ll make sure we give him the space he needs.”

“And…” Vulnerability leans in again and I push it away. The bitch is heavy, though. “Just…thank you.”

He leans down to get closer but stops short of contact. “Seriously, Rose. I’m happy to help.”

I reach up and pull him in to me, not for a kiss but a hug. He wraps his arms around me, and I press my forehead against his chest, hoping to transfer some of his strength to me. I allow myself this moment, five seconds of support, and when I let go, it’s like stepping off the roof of a skyscraper.