A Marriage Takes Two by Janet Lane-Walters

problem.”
    “Is Chad upset about his mother’s decision?” she asked.
    “Not really.”
    “Have you told him everything?”
    “Sort of. He keeps asking how long he’s going to be here. I thought he was happy.”
    “Maybe he is.”
    “But he keeps nagging about when she’s coming home. How can I tell him she doesn’t even want him for weekends or the holidays?”
    Carrie clenched her hands. She wished she could tell that witch a thing or two. “How can she just blow him off?”
    “She doesn’t seem to have a problem with the idea. She’s much too enthralled with her rubies, silks, pregnancy, and social obligations.”
    “Why…”  Carrie pressed her lips together. She knew why he’d married Marilyn. Love and Chad.
    He married me because we’re friends.
    Are you sure?
    Of course.
    She gulped a breath. “Those things don’t give her the right to ignore her son. I hope you’re not still paying alimony and child support.”
    “Don’t know. My accountant takes care of my bills.”
    “Did you tell him about Marilyn’s marriage, and the change in the custody agreement?”
    “Afraid not.”
    “Are you crazy?”
    He shrugged. “I thought…never mind.”
    Carrie’s shoulder muscles tightened. Had he thought Marilyn would return, or that she wouldn’t marry Brinker? Maybe he believed she would change her mind about Chad.
    “You should call your accountant, and your attorney, to make sure your rights are protected. Have you seen the custody papers?”
    “She said her lawyer would send everything to mine.”
    Carrie wanted to shake some sense into him. “She can’t be allowed to upset Chad’s life every time she has a whim.” Carrie gulped a breath. “I’d sure find a way so she could never see him again.”
    “I can’t do that. She’s his mother.”
    The anguish in his voice stopped her. Even after all this time, he still loved Marilyn. That sure blasted the chances of a happy new marriage for them.
    “When are you going to tell Chad? You can’t keep pushing this away. He’s being torn in two directions. That’s a lot for a child to handle.”
    He put his arms around her. “I’ve really made a mess of things.”
    Though being in his arms felt wonderful, his reasons weren’t the ones she wanted to hear. She eased away. “If you want me to be with you when you tell him, let me know.” She walked to the window and stared at the moon.
    “Would you go shopping with us? For his bedroom.”
    “Sounds like a good idea. Cabbage rose wallpaper is a bit sissy for a boy. Is he excited?”
    “Is he ever calm?” Tony laughed. “Right now, he’s dreaming of bunk beds.”
    “The wallpaper needs to be stripped.”
    “I’ll ask Hazel if she knows a handyman.”
    “Why? I bet the hardware store has a tool to make the job easier. I’ll explore tomorrow and start the job. After breakfast, I’ll ask him what color he wants for the room and buy the paint.”
    “You don’t mind all this work?”
    “It’s fun. Keeps me busy. And you did say this was my house.”
    “Guess I did.”
    He joined her at the window. Questions arose, but she kept them inside. For how long would the house be hers?  When would he look at her and see more than a friend?
     
    * * *
     
    Carrie paused to look at the display of curtains and matching bedspreads. She saw several that might appeal to Chad. She turned to ask his opinion and discovered he’d disappeared. She spotted Tony, but where was Chad?
    “Carrie, you got to come here.” Chad’s head appeared over the end of the upper bunk.
    She headed toward him. “What are you doing up there?”
    “Testing the mattress. You gotta tell Dad I don’t want a dorky bed. This is one I want.”
    “Let me check it out.”
    He scrambled down the ladder. “Look at the drawers under the bottom bunk. I can keep stuff in them. The desk has a secret compartment. “Cool, right?”
    She laughed and looked at the price tag. “You sure have good taste.”
    Tony appeared.