She knew the nightmare. She’d comforted him through it for years. She turned on his lamp and touched his shoulder gently. “Tad, it’s okay. Wake up, honey. It’s okay. You’re safe.”

His eyes opened. They were wet. “Clancey?”

She sat down on the bed beside him. “It’s okay,” she said softly, and pulled him to her. She rocked him while he cried. “I hope Morris gets what he deserves one day,” she said softly.

“Me, too.” He sniffed. “I’m sorry I woke you up.”

“Don’t be silly.” She smiled against his hair and rocked him some more.

The bedroom door opened softly, and Banks was standing there, in burgundy pajamas with a matching robe belted at the waist. His dark hair was tousled, as if he hadn’t slept much, either.

“Is he okay?” he asked gently.

“Nightmares,” she said.

He grimaced.

A door opened down the hall and Brenda came into the room a minute later, wearing a gown and a thick chenille robe. “Is everything okay?” she asked.

“Gosh, I’m sorry I woke everybody up,” Tad said, with tears streaming down his cheeks.

“Come on,” Banks said. He moved Clancey to one side, picked up Tad and carried him into the living room. “How about a glass of milk?”

“Thanks. That would be nice,” Tad said, still choked from the tears.

“Chamomile tea?” Brenda asked Clancey. “It’s the only thing I can make really well. It helps me to sleep. It might help you, too.”

Banks glanced at her with Tad in his lap. “Coffee. Black. Double strong. Put a horseshoe in it and if it floats, make it stronger.”

Brenda rolled her eyes and laughed.

She and Clancey waited for the water to boil and the coffee to make. Brenda found a wooden tray to put everything on.

Tad was talking to Banks about his nightmare. Brenda came back into the kitchen and pushed the door shut, just a little.

“What happened to Tad?” she asked softly.

“When Tad was three years old, Morris was playing a video game and Tad interrupted him, crying. Morris picked up a steel shovel by the fireplace and hit him with it several times.” She swallowed hard. “I ran and got in the way, and Morris hit me, too. I had two broken ribs. Tad had concussion. Morris was arrested, tried and convicted and sentenced to six years in prison, although he got out in five.”

“Oh my goodness! How terrible!” Brenda said with genuine sympathy.

“I hoped maybe Morris might not want to come back here. But he wants to get even with me for putting him away,” she added sadly. “I’m not worried about me, but Tad would have to go into foster care...!”