Calista
As I headed back home Aerion and Rose were temporarily forgotten.I had three hours until I was expected in the office.
My thoughts drifted to Ethan, waiting for me back home. There was only one week until he was officially enrolled in preschool.
He had grown so used to fending for himself in no man’s land that he had developed his own little routine. Still, a child his age should not have had to mature so quickly. I couldn’t find a sitter then, and now I can’t afford one. But it would be for a short time. At lunchtime, I would come home to check on him and also put him down for a nap till I was back.
When I got home, the soft hum of cartoons greeted me. Ethan was sitting on the worn-out carpet beside him, a mess of toys and snacks.
“Mommy!” he called, his eyes lighting up.
I
