The Better Mother by Emily Shiner

Author:Emily Shiner [Shiner, Emily]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-10-21T16:00:00+00:00

26

ZOE

I stand in the kitchen, my hands planted on the counter, taking deep breaths while I wait for Micah to go upstairs.

He takes his time, moving slowly, like each step is more difficult than he thought it would be. A good mother would be there with him, her arm around his shoulders, guiding him up the stairs and making sure he didn’t get weak and lose his balance.

But that’s the last thing I want to do right now. My head pounds and even though I know there’s no possible way he gave me whatever it was making him feel sick, I don’t like the way I feel lightheaded, weak, like I’m out of control.

I’ve never felt this way before. Even though I don’t want to admit it, I know that feeling like this started when Micah moved in. No, not when Micah moved in.

When I started to learn more about who he really is.

He seemed like such a nice kid, and that’s why I was determined to make sure he could stay here. It’s not his fault that his mom left him alone at the house, that she hasn’t been around, that he’s had to raise himself.

Or is it?

“No, no, no, you’re spiraling.” I press my fingers into my temples to try to calm myself down, but it’s not working. Taking a deep breath, I eyeball my purse. My phone is there, and it would be so easy to grab it and call someone. Ethan. The police.

But I can’t keep bothering Ethan and apparently I need to wait for the police to call. It’s crazy to me that a few days ago I was sitting here telling the police that Ethan and I had it under control, that of course Micah had a home with us, that it wasn’t going to be any problem having him around.

But that was before I knew what I know now.

My fingers itch to open his laptop back up, to see what else he might have been hiding. Who knows what other things I might have found if I’d taken a bit more time to poke around rather than freaking out and hiding it back in his bed?

I check the clock. It’s only ten, which means I still have plenty of time before I need to be at the preschool to pick up Anna. I tried to make it sound easy when talking to Micah, like it wouldn’t be any big deal to have someone else pick her up for me, but things aren’t quite that simple. I’d have to call and give the pickup person’s name to the director then make sure they were there on time...

No, it’s best if I go pick her up. I had a wonderful afternoon for the two of us planned and I can’t help but feel frustrated that he’s encroaching on it. I know this is something that can happen with kids, that they get sick and interrupt plans, but it feels different this time.

Sighing, I turn away from my purse and phone.

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