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; Maggie did all the cooking for him. They had a routine : eat, homework, watch TV, and then bed. And whatever this was with Richard, there was no place for her.
    “Hey, are you making dinner?” She tried to sound happy.
    They both looked up. Richard blinked , and she wondered for a moment if he’d forgotten she was here. Unease filled the room.
    “Umm, I should go.” She pointed to the back door. Her hand shook. Where did she put her coat?
    “Maggie.” His voice was soft and low when he touched her shoulder and rubbed his hand down her arm. “Stay for dinner.”
    She looked up. Awkwardness lingered. He dropped his hand and stepped back. A fork clattered on the counter. Maggie blinked. “Richard , I should go.” She dropped her gaze to the floor. She couldn’t look at him. She stepped around Richard and attempted a smile for Ryley—something that felt more like it was painted on.
    “Are you staying , Mom? We’re making tacos.” He held a wooden spoon hovering over the fry pan and looked almost hopeful, for a second. Then something flashed in his eyes that had him stepping back. That carefree easiness he’d had moments ago with his dad, before she walked in, was gone. He appeared nervous and uneasy.
    Was it just her? A knot tightened in her stomach , and she felt the dark basement swooping up to drag her back to the pits of despair. She couldn’t bear to lose another child. She reached out and hugged Ryley. He was stiff and pulled away. She looked down before she spilled any more tears. She forced a fixed smile again for Ryley. “No, not tonight. I got to go. But you have fun with your dad .” Maggie turned and froze. Richard held her coat and helped her into it. This time his hand didn’t linger.
    “Ryley , I’m going to walk your mom to her car. Turn off the burner till I get back.”
    “Okay Dad.” She heard a relaxed carefree ease back into his voice as if everything was all right. So of course , she wondered if it was because she was leaving.
    Richard’s hand touched the small of her back when she walked out into the dark night. The porch light glowed softly lighting her way as Richard walked her to the car. He didn’t say a word as he opened her door. Then he rested his hand on the roof of the rusty car. “Maggie , about earlier…”
    She couldn’t bear to hear regrets. “Please Richard , I just need to go . Please let me go.” She climbed in and pulled the door closed. Starting the car , she watched him step back before he turned , hesitat ing a second , and walked back in the house. Maggie drove away and glanced in the rear view mirror just as the porch light went out, feeling a dreadful loss. Except this time , the loss was different, and she didn’t know why.

Chapter Five
    A pop similar to a gunshot vibrated underneath her car just as Maggie pulled into her driveway. She pressed the brakes and stopped as the passenger front end tilted down. Maggie clutched her keys and pushed open her door. But could do little more than glance at the dilapidated Topaz in the shadows and see how it didn’t seem to sit quite right. Daisy barked and scratched from inside the house. “Just a minute, I’m coming . Don’t panic.” She unlocked the door and was welcomed by a licking , tail wagging Daisy who pranced against her legs.
    She stumbled and pushed Daisy with her knee as she flicked on the outside light. Daisy continued to step in front of Maggie, her tail wagging , and her muted brown eyes attempted to pour guilt in Maggie’s heart. “Sorry girl , I know I left you too long.” With both hands , she rubbed Daisy until she purred like a cat. “Now let me get the flashlight and check out this mess.” This time Daisy dogged her heels when Maggie went outside. She wondered if maybe she’d driven over a big inflatable toy. That would explain the pop, but she couldn’t remember if Ryley had any.
    She shone the flashlight on the front of the car and then underneath. “Well crap.” The front