"Once there was a baby star. He lived up near the sun. And every night at bedtime, that baby star wanted to have some fun. He would shine and shine, and fall and shoot, and twinkle oh so bright. And he said, "Mommy, I'll run away if you make me say good-night." And then his mommy kissed him on his sparkly nose and said, 'No matter where you go, no matter where you are, no matter how big you grow and even if you stray far, I'll love you forever, because you'll always be my baby star.'"
JJ snapped her phone shut and slid it across her desk.
Today had been a close call.
Too close.
She shivered.
To be honest, that tornado had terrified her.
It had whipped her hair, tore into her vest, and threatened to blow her away.
And she thought-she thought she'd never see him again.
Her little man.
Henry.
Tears ran down her face in a rushing torrent.
Down, down, down.
She didn't try to wipe them away, and she couldn't have even if she wanted to.
If you stop caring, you're jaded.
And if you care too much, it'll ruin you.
It all made sense now.
You're coming home, Mommy?
Henry's words had hit her hard, sending a wave of guilt and pain coursing through her.
She knew how lucky she was to be sitting there, on the phone, talking to him.
Not yet, buddy; tomorrow. But I promise.
She closed her eyes, replaying the night's events in her head.
What if they hadn't made it into the shelter?
What if she had been killed?
Henry wouldn't have a mother.
And her team—
She took a deep breath.
What if—
No.
She was here…she'd survived.
And she'd see her baby boy tomorrow.
Just like she'd promised.
She wrapped her arms around herself.
Night, Mommy…
Goodnight.