Page 2 of Forever Always

I looked at Laurie. “He’s still learning to talk, sweetie. But don’t worry, he will soon.”

I nodded. That was okay. I could help Riley learn to talk right.

“Hi! I’m your new brother. I brought Tiger. I’ve been sleeping with him for forever, but I’m a big boy now so you can have him.”

“Bah, ma, ma, pop pop.” The little baby held out his little hands and I put Tiger in them.

He was so tiny! He had the same hair as Laurie. Same pretty color and waves, but he had less. Would his hair grow like hers?

“Eww!” I yelled as Riley took Tiger and shoved him in his mouth, causing Laurie and even Daddy to laugh! Maybe having a little brother was a good thing. If he made Daddy laugh again, it would be so good.

“It is pretty gross,” Laurie says. “But remember, it’s a compliment. It means Riley likes it.”

I jumped up on my toes. “He does?”

“Yes, he really does. I can already tell you’re going to be a good brother, Beckett.”

I smiled at Riley as he flopped down on his bottom, still sucking on Tiger. I was going to be the best big brother ever!

PROLOGUE

BECKETT: AGE 9

“But you’ll get better, right?” I asked again. Every time I did, Mom and Dad just looked at each other all sad.

“I hope so, sweetie,” Mom said. “I’m going to fight and try really hard to get better. I’m not giving up.”

Riley grabbed my hand underneath the kitchen table, and I squeezed it really tightly. He was looking at me for answers, but I didn’t have them. Mom was sick. Cancer, she’d said. I knew she hadn’t been feeling well for a while. That was why I’d been watching Riley for her. He was only four, so I took care of him so she could rest.

She was still smiling, but I could see she was scared. And Dad just looked angry. That wasn’t new though. Only Mom could keep him happy. Riley burrowed into me, and I wrapped my arms around him.

“Stop coddling him, Beckett. He needs to grow up, especially now.”

“Michael,” Mom hissed, looking mad at Dad. Riley was cowering and I held him tightly, glaring at Dad. He was just a little kid! He was scared and didn’t understand. I didn’t even understand.

Dad cursed under his breath and stormed away from the kitchen table, leaving Riley and me with Mom.

She seemed so tired as she looked at us. “It’s okay, boys. Your dad is just dealing with his feelings. Everything will be fine.”

I wanted to believe her so bad, but I knew it wasn’t okay. I could see it. Mom was really sick. She wasn’t going to get better, was she?

“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll take care of Riley so you can rest.”

For some reason, this made her sadder. She got up and gathered both of us in her arms. Riley was crying now. I hated hearing him cry. I just wanted to make it better, but I didn’t know how.

“Shhh. It’s okay, boys. My brave boys. I love you so much.”

My eyes stung again, but I closed them hard to keep the tears from coming. Nothing made Dad madder than tears. I was a big kid now. I had to be strong, for Riley and for Mom.

But I couldn’t stop the crying right now, no matter how hard I tried. Mom was sick. Really sick. And I just knew nothing was going to be the same.

PROLOGUE

BECKETT: AGE 10

Riley was squeezing my hand so hard, I was a little afraid he might break it. But I didn’t tell him to stop. He was so strong for being so small.

We were standing in front of Mom’s bed. Dad was sitting next to it, holding her hand, but his face was blank. He wasn’t looking at nothing. Just staring. He’d checked out months ago. On the other side of Mom was Pastor John. He prayed over her, whispering something that wouldn’t help. Nothing did. Mom was dying, and there was no point denying it anymore.

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