Trailing Gwen, Anna burrowed into her coat as they finally sat down on an open slot of bench. "It's freezing out."

"You should've layered." Gwen leaned forward, "His team looks great."

"I think so." Anna waved as Jai ran by and tried to match the enthusiasm of his frantic wave back to her. "I love that smile."

"It's all for you." Gwen nudged her, "And soon you'll get to see it in person more often."

"We'll find out how true that is at the next hearing." Anna flicked her gaze toward an Indian woman in a sari scowling across the pitch at her. "If Jaya's got anything to say about it I'll never see Jai again."

"Too bad she's not got much to say about it anymore." Gwen waved at the woman, who huffed and turned to the older Indian man next to her. "She really can be a bitch can't she?"

"I try not to speak ill of my son's grandmother."

Gwen scrunched her face, "Jai can't hear you."

"If I start saying it when he can't hear me then it's only a matter of time before I say it where he can hear me." Anna shook her head, "Jai isn't stupid so he knows there's no love lost between his grandmother and I but I won't be the reason he has to choose between the two of us."

"You're a better woman than I am."

"Never." Anna shook her head before giving a small wave to Jaya as their eyes met across the field. "Of course it doesn't help that she's always thought you were my lesbian lover."

"You're not my type, even if I were a lesbian." Gwen pulled out her phone. "Although I think you'd be the most trouble I've ever had from a relationship."

"Thanks for that." Anna turned and smiled as a couple moved along the stands to sit next to her. "So glad you two could make it."

"We wanted to celebrate with you." The gaunt woman smiled at Anna and reached over to shake hands with Gwen. "Nice to see you again Gwen."

"And you Phyllis." Gwen shook the man's hand as well. "How've you been Joseph?"

"Well enough if not for the weather." He shivered before making himself comfortable in the seat next to Phyllis. "This is a big deal."

"Is it?" Gwen frowned until Joseph continued explaining.

"It's an important step in Anna's recovery." He motioned to the field, "Being out with the people she cares about and participating with them in activities. Being there for her family when they need her. Keeping promises. It's about consistency and building new, better habits."

"So they say." Anna pulled out a chip and handed it over to Phyllis. "Got that yesterday. I'm thinking of adding it to my collection."

"It's a remarkable achievement Anna." Phyllis handed it back carefully. "You're over a year this time."

"It is only the third time I've done that in the last two decades."

"Something to celebrate then." Gwen leaned over to get the approving nods from Phyllis and Joseph before nudging Anna. "It's a good thing."

"We'll see." Anna nodded at Phyllis, "Still on for the meeting tomorrow or do I need to drag Gwen back to one?"

"I think Phyllis's looking forward to it." Joseph grinned, "Gives her a chance to get away from the Baxley a bit."

"Baxley?" Gwen frowned and then pointed at them, "Baxter… Moseley… You named your deli after yourselves?"

"What's wrong with that?" Phyllis frowned as Gwen sputtered.

"Nothing. I've… I wondered why you chose that name and…I've been struggling with that for months and…" Gwen shook her head, "I feel like an idiot."

"We should all feel that way occasionally, Ms. Dawson." John sat down on Gwen's other side. "At least it's not me feeling that way for once."

"So glad you could come." Anna pointed to Phyllis and Joseph. "John, these are friends of mine: Joseph Moseley and Phyllis Baxter."

"Pleasure." John reached over, managing the handshakes through gloves and despite the tight confines of their positions on the stands. "John Bates."

"I recognized your face from the adverts." Phyllis shrugged, "You look just as personable in the flesh."

"Good news for our ad manager." John nodded toward the field, "Where's the young Mr. Smith then?"

"He's over there." Anna pointed, "But he's technically the young Mr. Rai."

"Rai?" John frowned and then noted Jai's uniform. "Ah…"

"That's the reaction most people have." Gwen shook her head, "You get used to the fact that her child is ridiculously photogenic."

"He does have the most adorable smile." Phyllis waved before taking the thermos Joseph passed to her. "Anyone for some milk tea?"

"Milk tea?" John frowned but accepted the Styrofoam cup Gwen passed over to him. "Can't say I've had it."

"Anna made it once and gave me the recipe." Joseph's whole body twitched into the shrug he gave with his bashful smile. "I'm addicted to the stuff."

"I'll drink it down on that recommendation alone." Anna and the rest waited as John took a long pull from the cup, shifted his jaw as he swished the contents inside his mouth, and then swallowed. A moment later he nodded and held out the cup. "And I'll take another because it's fantastic."

"Maybe we should have you eat more Indian food. Get you on the Southall's radar as a voting bloc." Anna furiously rubbed her hands together and then blew into them. "Or get you an Indian running mate."

"There are more than a few options for Deputies from the ministerial pool right now. It's only a matter of-"

"No." Gwen put up her hand, blocking John and Anna as they had leaned forward to speak. "This is a day off for a reason. Whatever thoughts you have right now you better lose them before this match starts."

"We've been thoroughly reprimanded." John made a face and sat straight again, "I only need one warning."

"Then you're better than her.

John made a face but Anna could only shrug. "Gwen's got me a on a tight leash because I've proved I can't be trusted with too much freedom."

"When you've earned it then maybe." Gwen jerked her thumb at Anna before giving her a scowl. "We talked about this."

"I got distracted." Anna rolled her shoulders and clapped with the others in the stands as the referee blew the whistle. "I'm focused now."

"You'd better be since the game's about to start." Gwen clapped with the rest of them as the two fields took the field. "Let's go. Bowl it!"

Anna hooted with some of the others as the boy ran up and overarm threw the ball. The batter missed and the other team cried their disappointment. With a tap on Gwen's arm, Anna leaned over to speak in her ear. "The bowler is Diana Clark's son, Daniel."

"Clark, the one who…" Gwen stopped herself and nodded before giving Anna a small scowl. "Focus on the game."

"I was only giving you context." Anna shrugged and waved as Jai caught her eye and gave her a small save. "He's a good bowler."

"He's got a good arm, that's for sure." Gwen pursed her lips. "What's Jai's position again?"

"He was a bowler last year but he didn't like it so he's trying out a few spots." Anna shrugged, "He dad thought he'd make a good wicketeer."

"Is that what Jai wants?" Anna leaned back as John did the same to meet her gaze. "Or does he want to find something else?"

"Honestly?" Anna threw up her hands. "I think he likes cricket because his dad did but Ravi never played. Watched every match and then, when Jai got old enough, he watched the matches with him. For right now this is what he wants."

"It's good to have things that connect us to the people we love." Anna noted how John's eyes darted to the other side of the field. "And… where is Jai's father?"

"He's passed on." Anna forced herself to give a tight smile. "Two years ago this coming spring."

"I'm sorry." John offered a look but Anna waved it off almost as quickly as he could attempt to give more sympathy.

"Thank you but today isn't for mourning. It's for celebrating the win."

They turned back to the game and one and a half thermoses of milk tea later cheered as Jai's team scraped a win. The two teams shook hands the children and parents separated into groups as they descended the stands to meet their children. Anna hurried down, noting how Jai dodged the grasp of his grandmother to dash across the field to her.

Throwing her arms open, Anna hugged him tight as he flew into her arms. She squeezed him to her, holding him tightly and even lifted him slightly off the ground before setting him back down. He giggled and hugged her again before pulling back to grin at her and show her his missing tooth.

"See?"

"I do." Anna made a show of investigating it from all different angles. "That's almost as impressive as you on the field. Practically Rahul David out there."

"I'm not that good." Jai waved her off and then hugged Gwen as she joined them. "Did you see me?"

"I did." Gwen pushed him back a second and made a show of measuring his height. "You're getting too tall for me."

"Then he's already too tall for me." Anna huffed and then grinned at Jai before the smile fell as Jaya joined them. "Hello Jaya."

"You shouldn't be here."

"I've a right to be here." Anna kept her voice even, despite the venom in the other woman's hiss. "Jai invited me and I've got approval to be here."

"Is that why you brought your politics with you?" Jaya nodded and Anna turned over her shoulder to see John talking to Phyllis and Joseph over by the stands. "You always put work first."

"He's not here for work." Anna directed her response to Jai, noting the confusion furrowing his brow. "I'm working on his campaign but I invited him here for a break from it. I wanted him to see how good you are."

"I'm sure you have sugary sweet explanations for everything you do." Jaya's lip curled as she studied Anna. "You used the same smooth talk to corrupt Ravi."

"I did no such thing." Anna lowered her voice and stepped closer to Jaya as Gwen guided Jai a little further away. "And you can't blame me for that."

"You got my son killed." Jaya practically stabbed her finger in Anna's chest. "You got him hooked on those poisons that had him giving up his career. He had to take medicines instead of working in them."

"Ravi never wanted to be a doctor. That was your dream."

"He knew his duties."

Anna shook her head, "He loved his food truck and he loved giving it up to stay at home with Jai and Georgie."

"He would be here now if you hadn't come into his life." Jaya spit at Anna's feet. "You poisoned him. From the first moment you poisoned him."

"If I've told you this once, he told you ten times." Anna took a breath, "He was the one who brought the coke the first time we took it together."

"He only said that to protect you." Jaya shook her head, "My Ravi would never do something so foolish and stupid."

"Then maybe he wasn't your Ravi." Anna bit the inside of her cheek. "He was my Ravi. And my Ravi insisted we should bury the hatchet so that's why I'm here. So we can bury the hatchet and move on."

"There's no moving on." Jaya's jaw firmed. "You are the reason my son is no longer here. You are the reason my granddaughter is dead. And you are the reason Jai lives with us."

Anna swallowed, "I'm going to get Jai back."

"Because you're so trustworthy and dependable?" Jaya snorted, "You'll fall off the wagon again and break his heart. You'd do better for him if you left his life entirely. Then he wouldn't have hopes for you to let down."

"I've never let Jai down." Anna pointed at where Jai demonstrated different batting techniques to Gwen. "He's the only reason I have for continuing and I won't lose that. No matter what you say, I'm not giving up."

"I'll fight to make sure you never get him back." Jaya gave Anna another once-over and sneered. "He deserves better than a mother like you."

"I'm the mother he's got. As much as you think he's yours, he's mine."

"We'll see if the courts agree." Jaya called out to Jai, "Jai, it's time to go. Dada is waiting for us at home."

"But…" Jai frowned, "I thought Mummy was taking me for the afternoon."

Jaya raised her eyebrow at Jai, "Excuse me?"

"You should've received the notice," Gwen stepped forward, holding out a paper to Jaya. "She's got visitation."

Jaya read it and then handed it back to Gwen, giving Anna a nasty smile. "It says you need supervision for your visits."

"That would be me." Gwen folded the paper back into her pocket. "You can join us if you like but I am certified to be the supervisor for the visit and I will be submitting the report to the court."

Jaya's jaw worked furiously before she took the end of her sari and tossed it back over her shoulder. "Have him home no later than two or I'll report you've kidnapped him."

"That's two hours." Anna shook her head, "Jaya that's not-"

"I'm his guardian, not you." Jaya snapped and bent down to look at Jai. "Enjoy your time with your mother."

With a kiss to his forehead, and another venomous glare at Anna, Jaya stalked off the field. The trio of them stood awkwardly a moment before Anna caught John looking in their direction. She let out a breath and put on a smile for Jai.

"Give me a minute to tell my boss I'll see him Monday and then it's you and me. Yes?"

"Okay." Jai nodded and Gwen patted his shoulder.

"Let's get to the car and leave your Mum to stand in the cold."

Anna waved them off and then hurried over to John. "Sorry to abandon you like that."

"Family comes first." John chewed the inside of his cheek. "That looked rather awkward for you."

"Unfortunately it's a bit more routine than I'd like." Anna shrugged, "Grief does things to people and relationships."

"That it does." John shivered and then shoved his hands into his pockets. "But I do have to ask, is that relationship going to be a problem for my campaign?"

"I don't intend for it to be." Anna considered it a moment. "For all her faults, my mother-in-law is a woman of integrity. Her feelings about me aside, she wants the best for her grandson and she's never become involved in my work. She actually hates it so she stays far away."

"And is that all there is to it?"

"For the moment that's all you need to know about it."

John gave a mirthless laugh. "Says the woman who has to know everything about my schedule down to when I need to take a shit."

"I'm not the one running for Prime Minister." Anna bit her lip and then took a breath, "For reasons that I may say later, I will tell you that I'm not currently my son's guardian. His grandmother is and that was part of the argument we just had."

John's eyes narrowed, "How did you lose custody of your son?"

"My mother-in-law brought an argument to the court that I was an unfit mother and given it was right after the death of my husband, the court agreed."

"Is there more to that story?"

"Plenty." John waited but Anna only gave him a tight smile. "For another time, maybe. When it becomes relevant."

"Is it something someone could throw at us in a campaign?"

"It's nothing that could damage your credibility given that my name in all the court documents is Mrs. Rai, not Ms. Smith." Anna's face hardened slightly, "I make a habit of making sure my personal life and my professional life do not mix. My family should never be a target because of my work. I made that promise to my husband when we married and I stick by it."

"I can respect that."

"But?"

"But you asked me here today, Ms. Smith." John nodded toward the field. "You promised me this would be a chance to get to know you better."

"And you feel I've failed to provide on my fulfillment of that promise?"

"No, you showed me something that matters to you." John shuffled in place, "But you've showed me what matters to you in a way that still leaves you holding all the cards. You only ever show things in a way that makes it so you've still got control over all the information."

"That's my job."

"Yes it is." John's gaze swept the field. "I guess I was hoping I'd see something outside your work. Or, to put it better, something that wasn't as controlled as your work. Something a little more free."

Anna barely controlled her shudder. "I'm not sure you'd want to see what I look like when I'm feeling free."

"No?"

"No." Anna checked her watch. "Unfortunately I need to leave you. I've only got two hours with my son and I can't waste them."

"Then I'll see you Monday."

"Bright and early." Anna gave him a quick nod before hurrying back to the car park where she slid into the passenger seat. "Sorry about that."

"Did your boss not want to leave?"

Anna buckled herself in and turned over the seat to look at Jai, "He wanted to know a bit more about you and your Dadi."

"Did you tell him I live with her."

"I did." Anna nodded at Gwen as the other woman guided the car from the lot. "How about we all do lunch?"

"Nando's!" Jai almost shouted from the back and Anna winced at the noise as Gwen covered one ear.

"Flame-grilled chicken it is." Anna shrugged at Gwen, "If you're up for it."

"You're paying so I'm up for anything."

The drive then only stopped nominally for traffic on the chill afternoon and soon they all sat around a table sharing their food. Jai stuffed himself first and when he had swallowed past five choking hazards he finally spoke. "Why was Dadi mad at you on the field?"

Gwen gave Anna a look but Anna met Jai's expression. "Because she's worried that I'm going to let you down."

"Why would she think that?"

"Well, because she thinks that I let your Dad down." Anna picked at her food a second before pushing it to the side to focus on Jai. "You know how your Dadi wanted your dad to be a doctor?"

Jai nodded, "She says I can be a doctor too."

"If you want, absolutely." Anna put her arms on the table and leaned toward Jai. "When I met your dad he didn't want to be a doctor. He was going through the classes because his mom wanted him to be a doctor but it wasn't making him happy. He wanted to do something else."

"What?"

"He wanted to own a food truck."

"He did?" Jai made a face. "Why?"

"Because he wanted to cook for people and he wanted to take food to people all over the city." Anna grinned at Jai's scrunched face. "He taught himself to cook the food his dadi used to make and then he bought an old van so he could make food and he made himself a food truck."

"What happened to it?"

"He sold it when I was pregnant with you."

"Why?"

"Because he wanted to stay at home so he could take care of you since my job was so busy." Anna reached over and pushed a bit of hair out of Jai's face. "He said it was the most important job he could have. And he was so happy when he could take care of you and Georgie."

"But…" Jai's voice got smaller, "But Dadi says you ruined Dad."

"Because he wasn't a doctor?"

Jai shook his head, "She says you made him sick."

Anna took a breath, held it, and then exhaled. "Your dad and I had some bad habits we started together when we met at Uni. We started using drugs."

"But those are bad."

"Yes they are." Anna held Jai's gaze. "I didn't make good choices then and neither did your Dad. But he got himself better and he helped me get better. We were both sick but we got ourselves well."

"Sick?" Jai frowned, "How did it make you sick?"

"Well…" Anna thought a moment, "You remember when your friend Jake got sick and had to stay at home for a month to get well?"

"Yeah."

"Well, when I was older than you I got every sick and tried to fix it myself. And when that didn't work I tried something else. Eventually one of the things I tried to fix myself was with drugs."

"But those only make it worse."

"I know." Anna took another breath, "But I thought they would be less bad than the sickness I had then. I was wrong."

Jai looked at his food for a moment and then back at Anna. "Was it bad?"

"It was very bad."

Jai quieted even further, "Was it because of your home?"

Anna frowned, "Why would you think that?"

"Because you never took us to your home." Jai shrugged, "I know Dadi and Dada but I haven't met your Mum or Dad."

"No, you haven't." Anna chewed the inside of her cheek, "What I will say, right now, is that my home was bad. I wouldn't want you near a place like that."

Jai put his arms on the table and Anna kept her wince to herself when his absently kicking legs hit her shins. "And that's why we never visit your mum?"

"It is. And it's why, when you're older, I'll tell you more about why I got sick." Anna put her hand over one of Jai's. "For now I promise you I'm trying to get better so I'm not sick anymore."

"And when you're better Dadi will let me live with you again?"

"I'm planning on it." Anna ran her teeth over her lower lip. "Did you know that you're named for your Dadi?"

"Really?"

"That's right." Anna smiled at him, "Your dad thought it would make sure she loved you and it worked. Your Dadi loved you from the moment she saw all your hair and your tiny little feet."

"And Georgie?"

"She was named for my Dad." Anna managed a little smile, "Remember I told you how he died when I was very young?"

"Yeah." Jai quieted again, "You and I both lost our Dads in car accidents."

"Yes we did." Anna sighed, "That's not a great thing for us to have in common, is it? It's a little sad."

Jai nodded and they sat in silence a moment before Gwen spoke up. "But, if I may, you both have the same eyebrows."

"Really?" Jai brightened slightly and leaned forward to study Anna's face. "Do we have the same eyebrows?"

"I think we do." Anna kissed Jai on the forehead. "Let's finish eating and get you home so we don't make your Dadi angry hm?"

"Yes." Jai dragged his food back in front of him and started tucking in again.

Anna smiled and followed his example, noting the approving smile from Gwen as they continued eating.

When they finished, and managed through the thickening traffic of the later afternoon, Anna walked Jai to the door. It opened, Jaya standing there and keeping an eye on her watch as Anna pulled Jai just short of the door. Wrapping him in a hug, Anna squeezed him tight.

Pulling back from it, Anna crouched just enough to put she and Jai at eye level. "I promise, we're going to be together again. You'll come back to the flat, we'll paint it all over again, and we'll be a family."

"Pinkie promise?" Jai held out his hand and Anna wrapped her pinkie around his. He tightened his finger and then released. "You can't break that."

"I won't." Anna kissed both his cheeks. "I won't let you down Jai."

"I know." He hugged her again, "I love you Mummy."

"I love you." Anna kissed the top of his head and then gently pushed him toward the door. "Your grandmother's waiting."

He nodded and hurried up the steps. Anna watched him, meeting Jaya's eyes when Jai was out of view. The other woman only raised an eyebrow before shutting the door to leave Anna standing on the slate tiles in the small front garden. Her eyes flicked toward the front windows but a moment later the shades were drawn over them. A movement on the second floor caught Anna's eye and she tilted her head back to see Jai waving at her window.

Anna waved back and blew him a kiss before turning to walk back to Gwen's car. Sliding into the seat, giving Jai a final wave, Anna closed the door. They sat in silence a moment before Gwen pointed. "Seatbelt."

Moving to comply, Anna said nothing and they pulled slowly into the afternoon traffic and drove away.