Page 131 of Renewal After Dark

“Sure.”

Thomas came to her and held out his arms.

Ashleigh hugged him back.

“Does that help?”

“So much.”

“I wish you weren’t sad.”

“Blaine told me I won’t be this sad forever, but I’ll always miss my daddy.”

“That’s probably true. I was sad when Mommy and Daddy told me the twins were girls. But I’m not sad about that anymore. They’re kinda cute.”

“They’resocute.”

“I hope happy lasts longer than sad, because sad is no fun.”

“Nope.”

“Will you come back to school soon?”

“Mommy said I can go back whenever I feel ready.”

“I hope it’s soon. I miss you there.”

“I miss you, too.”

Thomas told her all about what’d gone on at school while she’d been out. One kid had thrown up during lunch, and another had broken his little finger at recess. “It was so gnarly.” He showed her what Anthony’s finger had looked like after he fell off the swing.

“Ew. I bet that hurt.”

“He was screaming.”

She giggled at the face Thomas made as he pretended to scream like Anthony had.

“I like it when you laugh.”

“I do, too. Crying makes my eyes hurt.”

“If you ever feel sad, you can call me.”

“I will.”

“Tell your mommy to call my mommy.”

“Okay.”

“I’m hungry. Do you want another doughnut?”

“Yes!”

Thomas took off toward the stairs.

Ashleigh ran after him, yelling at him to wait for her.

Chapter27

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