“One more thing, Mommy,” Arrin said.

The woman and Meara turned around, the woman looking apprehensive, as if she feared Arrin would demand she leave Meara with him again.

“If I’m to stay, I’ll need to know what to call you, unless you want me to continue calling you Mommy.”

The woman smiled. “My name is Tracine.”

“Nice to meet you, Tracine,” he said.

She smiled and continued to the kitchen with Meara skipping by her side.

Arrin was once again rendered helpless by a coughing fit, and afterward felt so wasted he thought he’d close his eyes for a few minutes of rest as he waited for his hot chocolate.

He awoke hours later, disoriented. Where was he? Whose house was this? Panicking, he pushed...

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