His First Choice

She didn’t like that Jem always told Tressa she overreacted. Though if it was true, if Tressa had out-of-control emotions, that could be a concern.

And if it wasn’t true, it pointed to an unhealthy behavior by the ex-husband—demeaning and belittling the mother of his child.

“Have you ever noticed bruising on Levi?” She was back to the bruises Mara had reported on Levi’s torso.

“No. But all little boys get bruises now and then. It’s not like I would have found it unusual or of particular concern. I might not have committed one to memory. Also, Jem has him most of the time. I just have him on weekends. And only every other one.”

“Why is that?”

Tressa shrugged. “I have a tendency to make issues where there are none. My whole family was that way. And probably why my brother got into drinking and drugs at such a young age. We’re drama queens, or king in Kenton’s case. Every one of us. And while it’s something I’m used to, Jem isn’t. I don’t want Levi ending up like my brother. Kenton was really sweet before he started drinking and taking drugs—to be able to survive under one roof with my mom and dad, he said.”

So it was true. Which meant the ex-husband wasn’t belittling the mother of his child. She made note.

“Can you give me an example of what you’re talking about?” Lacey hadn’t touched her tea.

“With Levi and Jem, or with my brother?”

“Let’s start with Levi.”

Nodding, Tressa continued to hold Lacey’s gaze openly. “Levi would get a runny nose and I’d be wanting to keep him home, just in case. I’d be listening to his chest and worrying about pneumonia. I take things to extremes in my mind. Maybe it’s so that I’m always prepared.”

She paused. Lacey nodded and waited.

“So...say someone looks at us in the park. I’m immediately carrying on like he might mug us or shoot us.”

The woman was so genuine Lacey couldn’t help but like her and want to help her. It’s what she did. Attempt to help families live healthy lives together.

“So if you know you have a tendency to do that, are you able to reel yourself in?”

“Yeah, but I’m still emotional, you know? I cry at commercials. Or when I see someone hurting an animal. I still worry about everything even when I know it’s not likely to happen.”

“And you think that was a result of growing up in a turbulent house.”

Tressa nodded. “It wasn’t good for my marriage, I can tell you that. And it’s not good for Levi to live like that all the time, either.”

“Jem told you that?” She used the shortened version of his name on purpose, to keep Tressa at ease.

The other woman shook her head. “No, I saw it. He’s happy, carefree and funny when Jem’s around. When it’s just me and Levi, he gets quiet, reserved.”

Exactly the behavior Mara had described.

“I make him nervous. Like he never knows if something he does is going to make me upset.”

“Did someone tell you that?”

“No. But only because I didn’t bother going back to counseling.”

“Back?”

“I grew up in a dysfunctional family,” Tressa reminded her, as if that explained everything. “And that’s an understatement.” She looked at Lacey. Her shoulders relaxed and she gave a little smile.

“I’m guessing anything I tell you isn’t going to shock someone like you,” she said. “In your job, I mean.”

Lacey sipped tea, having to work harder than normal to keep her professional distance. First the father and now the mother pushing at her boundaries, making her feel...personal. More than a decade on the job, and it had never happened before. Not like this.

And then there was Levi. The little guy was an anomaly. One who had somehow touched her differently—just like Mara had said he’d done with her. There was something special about him with his little-boy lisp, cocky swagger and intelligent, curious, guarded gaze.

“I’ve seen and heard a lot of unimaginable things,” she said now. “Why don’t you tell me a little bit about your family.”