Abbie unlocks the door. She's tired and plans to rest and spend time with Mel this weekend. It's 12:30am. She hopes she doesn't have a run-in with Crane, but she does. He's by the steps when she walks in. She doesn't speak to him and removes her jacket and shoes.

"Did you finish what you needed to at work?" he says.

She knows this tone. It's the same one he used earlier, when he was ready to confront her.

"We aren't doing this, Crane. It's late."

He blocks her from going up the stairs.

"Move, Ichabod."

"You were supposed to be here."

"I know that. I don't need you reminding me."

"You could have fooled me."

She walks toward the door. There are too many times where their arguing wakes Mel. He opens to door, and then he follows behind her.

"What the fuck do you want me to say? You're tired of my apologies."

"It's not what I want you to say, Abbie. It's your actions. I want to see you watch a film with her, read her a book, send her to bed, hold her hand when she's in the hospital scared. Stop being a horrible mother."

She slaps him. Her eyes burn again. Her face is hot. She breathes hard.

"Listen, you son of a bitch, I am not a horrible mother. You don't know how much I worry about her, how much I wish I could see her grow, how much I want to care for her if she's ever in the hospital. Calling isn't the same as being there. It doesn't make up for my absence, especially tonight. I hurt her too much, disappoint her. I goddamned know that. But I call her anyway. I try to spend as much of my free time with her. And I work my ass off to ensure she has the best possible health care, that she's in best home schooling program One way or another, I'll make damn sure she's aware she has a mama who's determined to be a part of her life. Do not tell me I'm a horrible mother."

She stomps off. This is how they are now. He insults her motherhood. They go to bed angry and sharp. Apologies aren't said in the morning. They are calmer though and try to start again. It ends the same.

She takes a shower and goes into Mel's room. She lies in her bed and pulls her close.

"Mama?"

"I'm home now, baby girl." She kisses her forehead. "Sleep, okay?"

Mel's breath on her collar bone soothes her. It's a relief. Her daughter is safe and healthy, vibrating with green youth.

"Love you, mama."

Abbie tries not to choke on those words.

"I love you, too, Mel. Always."


She is tired, but she doesn't care that she wakes up at 7am. She likes to watch Mel sleep, often finding things she missed during the week. She has a new comforter. Abbie wouldn't expect none other than Princess Tiana. Her hair is a little longer. Her nails are painted rainbow colors. She touches them, regretful she didn't paint them with her. They'll probably be a different color the next time she sees them. Abbie finally goes back to sleep.

She's shaken awake. It's 10am.

"Good morning, Mel."

"Morning, mama."

"You hungry?"

She nods.

"Come on then, sweet pea." Abbie stretches.

She gives Mel a piggy back ride downstairs. On weekends, Crane leaves them alone. He doesn't bother them unless he has to. He stays shut off in the bedroom, his study, or he goes to a bookstore.

"Can I have pancakes?"

"With extra blueberries? Yeah." She smiles at her, kisses her cheek for the hundredth time when she sits her in a chair. "I've missed you. Daddy told me you were sad. He said you cried because I wasn't here last night. Mama never wants to make you cry, baby. I'm very, very sorry. You know I love you, right? Even if I'm not here all the time? It may not feel like it, but I do. I love you more than you know."

She nods. "Love you, too."

"Do you want to re-watch the movies?"

"Yes."

"Alright. Let me get breakfast started."

Abbie takes out the eggs, bacon, pancake mix, and whatever else she needs.

"Miss Sophie liked the movies. She singed with me."

"She did?"

Sophie did tell her she was a kid at heart when they first met. Now, she really believed it.

"Yeah. I thought she was going to stay for a sleepover."

Abbie turns around. "What?"

"A sleepover."

"What do you mean?"

Is she hearing right? Sophie? Spending the night?

"I woke back up. I had a bad dream. I went to find daddy. He was downstairs with Miss Sophie."

"What did he say?"

"He said Miss Sophie was helping him clean up. Then daddy put me back to sleep."

"Has Sophie ever had a sleepover with you and daddy before?"

"No. She goes home."

She nods. "Breakfast will be done soon."

She doesn't feel anything, doesn't know what to think, and doesn't want suspicions and what-ifs hissing in her head. There are questions she won't ask herself right now. Questions she doesn't want the answers to yet. The smell of bacon and pancakes are a good distraction. And as she holds Mel close on the sofa, the Disney movies distract her, too.