My eyes snapped toward Kyle.
“You made Mia sleep in the kitchen?”
“No,” he answered immediately.
“She’s lying on the floor right now.”
Before he could explain, Gladys walked into the hallway. When she saw Mia sleeping in the kitchen, she smiled and carefully adjusted the blanket around her.
“Thank you for sharing,” she whispered.
Mia opened her eyes.
Beds
“Hi, Grandma.”
The word echoed through my mind.
Mia sat up and hugged the woman as though they had known each other for years.
“Did you have another bad dream?” she asked.
Gladys nodded.
“I couldn’t find Kyle.”
“I’m right here, Mom,” Kyle said gently.
Only after Gladys calmed down did Mia notice me.
“Mom! You’re home.”
I hugged her tightly.
“What is happening?”
Mia glanced toward her father.
Blankets
“Dad was going to tell you.”
“When?”
“When you came home.”
“I am home.”
After Kyle helped Gladys return to the bedroom, Mia began folding her blanket.
“You should be sleeping upstairs,” I said.
“I’ve been sleeping here since Grandma arrived.”
My anger rose instantly.
“You’ve spent four nights on the kitchen floor?”
“It was my idea.”
“No twelve-year-old chooses this.”
Mia lowered her voice.
