11

After that, I didn't invest too much thought in this mother and son.

I left the investigation in the capable hands of Mr. Jones, who was quite competent.

As I gazed out at the hazy mist beyond the window, the phone rang incessantly.

Billy's teacher on the other end of the line said, "Miss White, Billy got into a fight with a classmate today. Do you have time to come over?"

I've always made time for Billy's matters.

But I never expected to see Lucas at the kindergarten, standing across from Billy.

He was a strict father, admonishing his own son for harming his lover's niece.

"Billy, you're a boy, why did you scratch a little girl's face?

"Is this how your mother taught you?

"Show me the hand you used to scratch her!"

Billy stood his ground, tears welling up in his eyes, refusing to let them fall.

"I don't want you! I want Mommy!"

From childhood to now, Billy had never suffered any injustices.

With both the Walsh and White families standing behind him, any troublesome elements would be q