“Yes, my sweet boy?” I answered, turning back toward him.

“If Dad comes back to live here someday, does that mean I’ll finally have to go live at Aunt Joanie’s house?” he asked, his hazel eyes wide with lingering fear.

I sank back down onto the floor, wrapped my arms around him and looked straight into his soul.

“No, Austin, your dad coming home will never, ever mean you have to leave,” I swore with every bit of motherly authority I had.

“Nobody is ever going to send you away from this family, and that’s a promise from your mom that will last until the end of time.”