“I was outbid?” I try to keep my voice down while on the phone with Nora. After weeks since placing the bid and not hearing from her, I decided to call her myself.

“Yes, I’m sorry, but the new owner was insistent about bidding higher than you, even if you came back with a counteroffer. You told me that was all you could afford, so I didn’t bother contacting you. It’s in escrow now.”

“What?”

“I’m sorry, Olivia. They were determined to get that property. I have many others closer to town that I could show you today if you wanted.”

“It’s not your fault. I’m just disappointed, that’s all.”

“Well, when you’re ready, be sure to call me.”

“I will, thanks,” I say before hanging up.

“Bad news?” Amy says, looking over at me.

“Someone outbid me for the Braxton house.”

“Oh, hun, I’m sorry. I know how much you wanted it.”

“Mom told me no one was interested in it for almost a year, and then BAM!” I slap my desk, causing Amy to almost jump out of her seat. “As soon as I bid on it, it’s swiped right out from under me.”

“I’m sorry. Are you okay? You seem a little … off today.”

“What do you mean off?”

“Normally, you are bright and cheery, but today you seem …”

“I seem what?”

“Bitchy,” she whispers.

“Today is just not a good day, is all.”

“Look, it’s slow today. Why don’t you take the rest of the day off? I can handle things here. The auction is in a few weeks and you are burning yourself out.”

“You think so?”

“Yes, and I know you were upset you couldn’t stay home with Mason today, so go and be with him.”

“What about you? Brandon is home from school today, too.”

“Yeah, but this is a break for me to be away from the kids and you just need a break. Go hang with Mason and Tom, maybe it will brighten your mood.”

“Thanks, Amy, you’re the best.”

I drive out to the airport. Tom volunteered to watch Mason for me today. Amy was right, I have been moody lately. As time draws nearer for Tom to go back, I grow more anxious.

When I reach the airport, I see a parachute in the sky. Only it isn’t like when Tom and I went skydiving. This parachute is part of an aircraft and it’s flying around in the sky. I keep watching it as I step into the hangar.

“Hi, Red.”

“Uh, hi, Ms. Olivia. What brings you out here?”

“I came to see Mason and Tom, are they around somewhere?”

“Well, um,” he says, looking up in the sky.

“Do not tell me that’s Tom and Mason up there?”

“Okay, I won’t tell you.”

“I’m going to kill him.”

When the glider lands, I try to hold back my temper. I know in my heart Mason is safe with Tom, I’m just furious that he took it upon himself to decide for my son’s well-being without consulting with me first. It’s a strict rule for a mom, especially a single mom.

“Listen, Ms. Olivia, I know you are ready to wring his neck, and I don’t blame you, but please wait for them to stop. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

I look at Red and nod. I’m too angry to speak. I stand and wait and watch Tom shut the glider off before getting out and helping Mason out of his seat.

Mason sees me right away and runs over to me. I quickly scoop him up in my arms and hold him protectively to me.

“Mommy, did you see me? Did you see me up there, way in the sky?”

“Yes, honey, I did.” I continue to hug him as I look over at Tom. Tom’s smile fades when he realizes I’m not happy about this one bit. I set Mason back down. “Honey, will you go inside with Red for a minute?” I say to him, my tone sharp and direct.

“Mommy, are you mad at me?” he asks.

“No, honey, I’m not mad at you. Just go inside with Red, please. I need to speak to Tom alone.”

“Mommy, please.” He starts to tug on my hand.

“Mason, do as I say. Please.” I raise my voice to him, something I rarely ever do.

“It’s okay, buddy. Go on with Red,” Tom says to him as he remains calm.

I shoot Tom a dirty look once again.

“Come on, little man. I know where Ms. Annie hides the cookies,” Red says as he takes Mason’s hand and walks him to the office.

I watch them walk away, and as soon as Mason is out of earshot, I get ready to unleash my fury.

“Listen, Liv.” Tom tries to reach for me, but I pull away.

“Don’t Liv me. How dare you take him up in that contraption without my permission?”

“Liv, I—” he tries to explain, but I cut him off again.

“No, Tom, this has to stop. It’s one thing for you to do this with me, but another completely when it involves my son.”

“Do what? What are you talking about?”

“Put his life in danger.”

“What? Are you hearing yourself right now? I would never put either one of you in danger and you know that!”

“Look, I get that you like the adrenaline rush, and that’s fine for you, but not for my son.”

“I don’t like what you’re implying, Olivia.”

“Tough. He’s my son and it’s my job to protect us.”

“Us?”

Then I realize my slip. “I meant protect him.”

“But you said us. Protect you from what, Liv? What risk are we talking about here?”

“You will never understand.” I turn and start walking toward the office.

Tom quickly runs and steps in my way.

“Move out of my way, Tom.”

“Oh, no, you stood here and bawled me out. Now, I get my say.”

“Fine.”

“What risk are we talking about, Liv? You can’t keep him locked up and not let him experience the world. Life is all about risks. I’m sorry your husband died, Liv, but you can’t keep sheltering him or yourself. You have to stop thinking about ways to keep from dying, and start living.”

“Protecting her child is what a mother does.” I defend myself.

“You’re not mothering him, you’re smothering him,” he says angrily.

“Excuse me.” I try once again to pass him but he blocks my way.

“You can’t fight all his battles and you can’t protect him twenty-four seven. You have to trust him sometimes, and let him make his own decisions.”

I stand there looking at him, my face on fire with my anger.

“But this isn’t really about today, is it? You’re not talking about his risk; you’re talking about your own.”

“I’m leaving. Move out of my way.”

“I’m right, aren’t I? You are scared. Ever since I told you I have to leave soon.”

“I think we need a break,” I finally say, wanting to end our argument and go home.

“What are you saying, Liv? You want to break up?”

“I think we need a break so I can decide on what our future should be.”

“Well, pardon me, but I thought we had this talk a few days ago.”

I walk past him and call out to Mason. Mason quickly comes to me and I take his hand and start walking to the truck.

“Liv, don’t do this. Let’s go somewhere and talk.”

“Not today. Mason, get in the truck.”

“Yes, Mommy.”

Tom stands defeated as I get into my SUV and drive away, this time not looking back.

I’m too angry right now to cry, but I know once I get home I will probably lock myself in my room and have a good one. What was Tom thinking? He’s slowly taking over parenting Mason and is now making decisions when he should have checked with me first. I just can’t allow that, no matter how much I love him.

“Mommy, why are you mad?”

“I’m not mad at you, sweetheart.”

“I know. You are mad at Tom.”

“You’re right. I’m definitely mad at Tom.”

“Why?”

“Tom didn’t tell me he was taking you flying. He should have asked me. I’m your Mommy and I take care of you. Tom is just your friend.”

“But I love Tom, like a daddy. I want him to be my daddy one day.”

Mason’s words are like a knife in my heart.

“Mommy, it’s okay to have two daddies, isn’t it? My daddy in heaven and Tom?”

“Yes, honey, of course it is.” I start to wipe my tears away.

“Mommy, it’s not his fault, don’t be mad at Tom. I lied to him, Mommy.”

“What?” I look up at him in the rearview mirror.

“I lied to him. I told him you said it was okay to go up in the glider.”

“Why did you lie, Mason?”

“I’m sorry, Mommy. I know it was wrong to lie, but I really wanted to go flying like you did the other day.”

“Honey, why didn’t you just ask me?”

“I was afraid you would say no. You always say no.”

“What do you mean, I always say no?”

“You wouldn’t let me play peewee football with Brandon. You told his mommy you didn’t want me getting hurt. And this summer, you wouldn’t let me ride the horses at vacation Bible school because you said I could fall off and get hurt. All the kids call me a momma’s boy and pick on me at school. I just wanted to do something cool, Mommy, so they wouldn’t pick on me anymore.”

“Oh, Mason, I don’t know what to say.” I start looking for a place to park so we can talk or I can at least hold him. I pull into a parking lot and park. “Come here, sweetheart,” I tell him and he unfastens his seat belt and climbs up front with me.

“I’m sorry I lied. I didn’t mean to get Tom in trouble. Please, don’t be mad at him, Mommy.” Mason starts crying.

“Shh, it’s okay.” I soothe him, holding him close. “I’m not mad at anyone. Mommy was just scared.”

I sit and hold him as we comfort each other. My thoughts turn to Tom and how he must be feeling right now. I was so nasty to him. As Amy would say, I was a bitch.

My phone starts ringing, and I’m hoping it’s Tom so I can apologize for the misunderstanding, but it’s Holly calling me. “Hey, Holl.”

“Liv, are you on your way home?” she asks and I can hear it in her voice that something is very wrong.

“Yes, what’s wrong?”

“I started bleeding. I don’t know what to do. Mike’s not answering and Mom’s out of town. I don’t want call my sisters, I don’t think I could handle all of them right now. I’m so scared, Olivia.”

“Hold on, Holly, I’m on my way.” I tell her as I quickly hang up.

I have Mason get back in his booster seat and buckle in then I quickly turn around and head back to the airport. I don’t want him seeing his Aunt Holly in pain. When I pull up, I don’t see Tom’s car, but Red is outside the hangar.

“What’s wrong, Ms. Olivia?”

“Can you watch Mason for me? I have an emergency.”

“Sure, I hope everything will be okay.” Red opens the door and helps Mason out of the truck.

“Mason, you mind Mr. Red, okay?”

“Yes, Mommy.”

“I will pick him up as soon as I can.”

I race home to find Holly alone and crying.

“Did you call your doctor?”

“Yes, the nurse said to go to the hospital.”

I start helping her into the SUV. “Did you get hold of Mike?”

“No, but I talked to the dispatcher. She is putting a call out for him.”

“Okay. Holly, it’s going to be okay.”

“Oh, Liv, I’m losing the baby, aren’t I?”

“We don’t know that yet. Let’s just get you to the hospital.”

On the way to the hospital, Mike finally calls, but Holly is too upset to talk.

“What’s going on, Sis?”

“We’re not sure, she starting bleeding. I’m taking her to the hospital right now.”

“I’m on my way,” Mike says, hanging up.

They take Holly in right away to the ER room and I step out as soon as Mike arrives. From the nurses’ whispers and the grim look on their faces, I know the news is bad. Holly and Mike’s baby is gone.

Everything starts hitting me at once as I step back into the waiting area—my sadness for Holly and my brother, my sadness over Brent, and my sadness for pushing Tom away. Through the blur of my tears, I see Tom walking fast toward me. I have no idea how he knew I was here, but I don’t care as I rush into his open arms. “I’m so sorry.” I hug him close to me as he holds me tight.

“It’s okay, baby.”

“No, it’s not. Holly’s baby is gone.”

“I’m so sorry, Olivia.”

“I’m the one who needs to apologize. I’m sorry for the horrible things I said to you.”

“Don’t worry about it, Olivia. It’s not important right now.”

“No matter what you do or how much you try to protect the ones you love—how much you try to prevent bad things from happening—they still happen. You can’t stop it.”

“Yes, baby, I know. Do you want me to take you home?”

“No, I’ll be all right in a minute. I need to be here for my brother.”

“Okay, then I’ll stay with you as long as you need me to.”

“Thank you. Where’s Mason?”

“He’s spending the night with Mom and Pops. Trust me, he’s in good hands.”

“I do trust you. And I’m so sorry I didn’t give you a chance to explain. Mason told me he lied to you.”

“Yeah, but I should have known he was fibbing. I was wrong for not clearing it with you. He was just so excited to go, I didn’t want to disappoint him.”

“No, you’re right. I am smothering him. I just thought I was being a good mom.”

“You are a good mom.”

“I’m not so sure about that.”

“Well, I am. You are a great mom and Mason is lucky to have you.”

“Thank you.”