A Son's Tale

She’d misjudged the degree of his discontent, had driven him to the point of feeling he had to prove he was ready for more responsibility.

And she blamed Sammie, too. Whether he was right about her overprotectiveness or not, he was still underage, still her son and still answerable to her. He might not like her rules, but he was obligated to live under them.

She’d made that abundantly clear to him over the past twenty-four hours.

“You said you wanted me to listen to you, Mom.”

“I…”

The ant left again, disappearing over the curve of the step.

“Tell her, Grace.”

George’s voice, barely audible in the background, sent chills through Morgan’s entire being.

“Tell me what?”

“Oh, dear, I… It’s not like you think. I…I agree with your father, Morgan. This time I believe he’s right. I’m sorry.”

“Right about what?”

“Sammie’s too much for you, honey. He’s a boy. He needs firm control. A man’s guidance. He needs a father.”

“His father opted out of the job, Mom, you know that. Surely you aren’t suggesting that I contact Todd?”

“Of course not.”

“Or that I find someone to marry just to provide a father for my son?”

Her stomach was in knots. The ant was back. Still alone.

“I want you to pack Sammie’s things and bring him home, Morgan. He’s a Lowen. He’s going to inherit this home someday. And the businesses, too. He needs, and deserves, your father’s guidance.”

So this was about them moving home.

“We’ve been over this a million times, Mom. I’m not moving home. You know that.”

“Of course not, Morgan. That wouldn’t be best for Sammie at this point. Having you here would only make things more difficult for him.”

What?

“I’ve been up all night thinking about this, Morgan, and I think you’ll find that this is best for everyone. You, included. I’ll make sure that you see Sammie as often as you like—”

“Within reason.” Her father’s voice could still be heard.

“And you’ll have the chance you never had to get solidly on your feet. You’re only twenty-nine, Morgan. There’s still lots of time for you to settle into a life of your own without constantly worrying about bills and babysitting. You’ll be able to come and go and work around the clock if you want to. You can go out and date and travel and…”

Morgan couldn’t find the ant. She couldn’t see anything but a blur of gray where the step had been. Gray rimmed in red.

“You want me to give up Sammie?”

“Just to your father and me, sweetie. That’s not really giving him up. He’d still be yours, still be in the family. Still be a Lowen. We’d just be helping you. Lots of parents do it, Morgan. You’ve done it all alone for so long. You deserve this chance to get ahead. And this way Sammie will be safe.”

“No.”

She had no argument. No rationale. So she hung up the phone.

* * *