A Child for His Best Friend

up the last cardboard bo

door, Eric, who slept in the guest room ov

stood o

he returned to her own place. "Eric, I came

in the living room and landed on me. "Oh, Maeve, w

tened the moment he saw Laurie. "You arrive just in time. I wan

s eyes

ed through the house, acting e

he baby's early artistic exposure. We need to swap it out. Eric, your stu

ic trailed behind and nodded al

ture without a care for anyone

ack of boxes taller than me, watching the

o ripples at all. I eve

uth in feigned surprise and turned to me. "Maeve, you still did that? House

e kid, Eric shoulders the household alone. The pressure weighs too much. Y

contempt and humiliat

s a point. That job of yours runs you ragged all over. It's

it slowly from Eric's face to Laurie's hypocr

he air when the do

g for Eric, I strode over

ight figure appear

yes darkening, especially at Lauri

to me, his voice low and steady. "

ne of my mouth finally softened wit

Laurie bo

d buddy there to help me move, his f

doing?" He stepped fo

hat do you mean by this? Engagement not off yet, and you

nearly made me laugh

t female buddy," but me asking a p

s he eyed the worked-up Eric. "She needs to move.

ke it was the biggest joke, fully

trump card. "Fine, just fine! Maeve, I'm telling you, if you

t almost tangible. "I'd like to

ie quietly flash