EVELYN
“Mommy, Gwen said you were doing some exercise in your room last night. Can I join you next time?” Toby asked while we ate breakfast on the dining table. I burst into a choking fit right away.
“H-here, have some water, mommy.” Toby suggested, his voice high pitched with fear. He pushed my glass of water into my hand and I snatched it up from him, gulping it down.
He came up behind me, rubbing my back a bit too harshly. I tapped his arm gently, just as I dropped the cup on the table.
“It’s okay.” I said, glancing up at him with a weak smile. “I’m okay now, baby.”
He looked a bit hesitant about believing me, but he eventually went back to his seat. He stared at me in confusion as his spoon twirled his food about on his plate.
“You don’t want me in your exercises?” He asked me, h
