"Dad, my tummy hurts," he whimpered, his voice shaking. "I can't sleep. I want my mom…"
Still half-asleep, Jensen groped for his phone. It was 3:00 AM.
He stifled his irritation, his voice rough with exhaustion. "Come sleep with me." He pulled Ethan into his arms and lay back down.
The boy grabbed his hand and pressed it to his belly. "Mom always rubs it like this when I'm sore."
Jensen forced himself to rub gently, over and over. An hour later, his arm went numb, drowsiness crashing over him—but Ethan still wouldn't settle. His patience snapped.
He yanked his hand away, snapping at the boy, "Enough! Are you punishing me? Don't you know how tired I am after working all day?!"
Ethan trembled violently, sniffling quietly until he finally fell asleep.
Staring at his son's tear-streaked
