The mean woman had told Christopher that it was time for sleep. That he would take the boy, Taylor’s, bed. Chris noted that Taylor got no covers or pillow he just laid on the floor. The woman didn’t kiss him goodnight or even say goodnight.

Chris wished right now that he could be with his mom and she would hug him and tell him that everything was all right.

“Taylor, are you asleep?”

“No.”

“Is that woman your mom?”

“Yeah.”

“Why doesn’t she act like she loves you?”

“She doesn’t.”

“She’s your mom… she has to love you.”

“No, she doesn’t.”

Chris sat and pondered that one. All mothers loved their sons. His mother loved him, Mark and Tommy’s mom loved them. Grandma loved his dad and his dad’s brothers, his mom’s mom loved her and her sisters and brother. How come Taylor’s mom doesn’t love him.

“Is your dad a good guy?”

“Yeah, he’s the best. I want to go home and see him. He’s not gonna be home long. He’s gonna be going to New York for a few days. I want to be home.”

“You’re dad’s a singer, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh.”

“Why did your mom take me?”

“She’s getting back at your daddy.”

“Why?”

“She and your dad used to be boyfriend/girlfriend.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Your dad dumped my mom and she’s mad.”

“Who is your dad?”

“Some guy my mom slept with to get back at your daddy.”

“Oh.”

“Don’t worry, I’m not related to you.”

“No, I didn’t mean that. I was just curious. How old are you?”

“Sixteen.”

“Oh.”

“You?”

“Nine.”

“I’m real sorry about this.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“Yes, it is. I didn’t work.”

“What?”

“My mom tried to destroy your daddy’s career with me. If I had worked you wouldn’t be here.”

“And my daddy wouldn’t be able to sing. He loves singing.”

“More than he loves you?”

“No, but it’s a big part of him…like me and my brothers and sisters are.”

“Oh. What is your mom like?”

“She’s my mom. I love her. She loves me and my brothers and sisters. She bakes cookies, she smells good. She reads to us occasionally. Mostly to my little brother and little sister. My sister Sam and I are too old to be read to now. She’s warm, loving. She’s mom.”

“I wish I had a mom like that.”

“Are you cold, Taylor?”

“Yeah, but it’s okay.”

Chris got up and took one of the blankets off of his bed and walked over to Taylor and draped it over him.

“Night.” Chris said as he got back into bed.