Something she’d had to explain to her son over the years, when he’d asked about his father. She’d always had to go out of her way to make sure Jeremy wasn’t the bad guy. She’d always had to take the high ground and say things like he hadn’t been ready to be a father and no, she hadn’t been disappointed to be physically and emotionally abandoned as she’d gone through her senior year of high school pregnant.

“People change, Ellen.”

“Oh, do they?”

“I can see you’re still upset. I suppose you have reason to be. You’re right—I have no legal rights, but he is my son and I was hoping I could get to know him.”

She wanted to tell him not a chance. That he didn’t deserve to know Cooper or have anything to do with him. That neither of them was interested. Only she knew that last one wasn’t true. Cooper might not show it, but she knew he was curious about his father, and in her gut, she was pretty sure he would like a chance to meet him.

“Are you still there?” Jeremy asked.

“Yes.”

Why did she always have to be the adult in the room?

“I need to think about this,” she said.

“Of course. Let me give you my contact information.”

She got up and walked into the kitchen where she grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, then scribbled down his number and email address.

“I’d really like a second chance with him,” Jeremy told her.

She thought about how alone she’d felt as she’d struggled as a single parent, how much he’d missed and how bitterly unfair his request was, and then she remembered Coop.

“I’ll get back to you,” she told him. “Give me a few days.”

“Thank you, Ellen.”

She hung up and swore. Now? Did this have to be happening now?

Her phone rang again. She answered without looking at the screen.

“Yes?”

“It’s me,” Unity said. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me.”

Relief eased the tightness in her chest. “Only if you promise to come over and get drunk with me.”

“I’ll be there in five minutes.”

“The front door is open.”

Ellen dug out a frozen pizza and turned on the oven, then opened a bottle of red wine. When she heard the door open, she ran out of her kitchen and met Unity in the living room where they hugged each other tight.

“I’m sorry,” Unity said, tears filling her eyes. “I’m sorry. I should have understood. I should have listened.”

“No, it was me. I was so upset that I lashed out. I’m sorry. I was insensitive about Stuart. I hurt you.”

“No, I hurt you.”

They looked at each other, then hugged again. Ellen hung on, feeling her world right itself.

“I’ve had a horrible day,” she admitted.

“Me, too. I missed you. I can’t believe we had a fight.”

“I can’t, either. Let’s promise to never do it again.”