"Mom?"

Skylar looked away from the window to see her oldest child standing in front of her. At that very moment her heart could not possibly ache any more than it did right then. Not only had she lost her husband, her dreams of happy ever after, but even more significantly, her children had lost their father. She'd never felt so helpless in her life.

Junior had been dealt an unfair hand in life, to be sure. Born with a disability, he'd learned to be strong and courageous, mostly by observing his father. From the time Junior was placed into Walt's arms for the first time, Junior had, quite simply, adored his father. Worship was probably a better word. Though they'd had their differences over the years, deep in his heart his father was his hero, and had taught him all about being the kind of man he'd always wanted to be.

Junior was so young, so innocent. Holly was still a baby; thankfully she would not have to come to terms with the man her father had become, not yet anyways. But Junior-even though she'd tried to shield him from life's difficulties she knew she wouldn't be enough to help him come to terms with the man his father was.

"You should get some sleep. It's late."

He shook his head. "I can't sleep. I just wanted to...I wanted to check on you."

She smiled. "Can I get you anything? Would you like me to make you an early breakfast?"

He nodded. "I'd like that."

So without another word, Skylar set upon the task of frying some eggs and bacon, every few minutes checking on her children.

Finally they both sat down to eat, with Junior playing with his food at first.

"Son...I know I haven't been a very good mother. But I want you to know how much I love you and your sister. I've made so many mistakes- but loving you and Holly aren't one of those. I wouldn't trade a second with you two for anything in the world."

"Why...why didn't you tell me?"

She took a deep breath. "I guess I wanted to protect you."

"Don't you think...don't you think I'm grown up enough to know the truth? I'm not a baby anymore, Mom," Junior exclaimed.

"I know. But I had to make a choice- and I chose to protect you. I only hope that one day you'll be able to forgive me."

"I don't know. I don't know what to think. I know my dad isn't who I thought he was, that he's a very bad man. And now all the kids at school are going to find out. Everyone will make fun of me!"

Skylar wanted to cry, but she knew she had to be strong for Junior's sake. "No, they're not. They're going to understand that you aren't responsible for your father's actions. They might even surprise you..."

"Stop it! Stop it Mom! We both know kids are so mean. I've always been made fun of for being different, for talking funny and walking funny."

"Why didn't you tell me this?"

"Because! I wanted to make Dad proud! I thought that if he knew what's been going on then he'd be ashamed to go to work. That he'd be ashamed that I'm his son."

She reached over and took his hand. "Look at me. Look at me. Your father has always, always been nothing but proud of you. He loves you more than anything in this world..."

"Then how could he do this? How could he destroy our family?"

It was so complicated. How could she make him see that his father hadn't always been this...this, whatever he'd become?

"People make choices. He just made some terrible, terrible choices. He's going to have to live with what he's done for the rest of his life."

"He's not the only one. Aunt Marie has to live with it. You and my sister and I all have to live with it."

"Junior..." a single tear fell from her face. "I understand that you hate your father. Do you...do you hate me too?"

He didn't hesitate for a minute. "I could never hate you, Mom. I love you."

That was exactly what Skylar needed to hear at the moment. "I love you too, son. More than you could ever know."

Just then Holly began to stir, so Skylar went to check on her, leaving a very hurt and very confused Junior alone with his thoughts.

tbc