"I'm asking what happens when you come home."
"You shouldn't have done that."
"I shouldn't have needed to, Derek. But you gave me no choice."
Derek looked away.
"Will you take these things over until I'm cleared?"
"No."
I'd spent days calling his refusal a misunderstanding.
"But you gave me no choice."
That word stopped me.
"All right."
He frowned. "What does that mean?"
"It means I heard you."
I folded the page and stood.
"What does that mean?"
***
In the nursery, Luke stirred when I reached for the diaper bag. I froze until he settled again.
Then I called Mom.
"Can the boys and I stay with you for a few days?"
She went quiet.
"Did something happen?"
"Nothing new. That's the problem."
"Can the boys and I stay with you for a few days?"
"Hope."
"I can't keep risking my arm because Derek won't pick them up. I need my arm to heal properly, Mom. My boys need me."
Her voice softened. "Do you want me to come get you? The car is sorted."
"Yes. I'll pack what we need."
"Do you want me to come get you?"
"Are you leaving him?"
Derek was in the living room watching television.
"No. I'm trying to heal."
That was the first time I'd said it without apologizing.
***
An hour later, Mom handled the boys while I packed the car. Derek came out of the garage as I zipped the diaper bag.
"No. I'm trying to heal."
