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thought she could protect him from the pain of his parents’ breakup. Now suddenly, sadly, she knew she couldn't. “It's not the end of the world. Life will go on.” In many ways, it was the end of the world as she had always known it.
    Larry pleaded, “Tell me what to do, Mom."
    "Why don't we take this one day at a time? Right now you should concentrate on graduating from high school and getting ready for college in the fall. I'm going to think about what kind of a future I want for myself."
    "Maybe I could forget college.” Larry's lower lip quivered. “You're going to need me here with you."
    For one selfish moment she was tempted to agree, but only for an instant. “I'm looking forward to being on my own.” That was a lie. The thought of being alone terrified her.
    "You don't want me?” Larry asked, obviously offended by her declaration.
    She had to cut those apron strings. “I will always want you. You're my son. But a single forty-two-year old woman doesn't need an eighteen-year-old son in residence.” She was being cruel, yes, but only because she loved him.
    Larry tilted his head to one side. “I hadn't thought of it from that viewpoint."
    "That's because you're not a forty-two-year old woman.” She patted his cheek. “Go to bed. It's late."
    He paused at the door and turned to look back at her. “I love you, Mom."
    "I love you, too.” More than you will ever know. She watched as he vanished up the stairs.
    Emily was scheduled to work at the library on Monday. Her first impulse was to call and cancel. Everyone would know that she and Robert were divorcing, and why. She couldn't face being the object of gossip and pity. Words she had said to Larry the night before came back to taunt her. Running away was not the answer. She would face the situation and deal with it. Emily not only showed up, she worked two extra hours.
    Tuesday Emily visited Aunt Beth and met with the committee planning the high school senior prom. Wednesday she did cancel a meeting with the Historical Society, explaining only that she had an important appointment. She suspected the chairperson thought she was lying, but he didn't pry.
    At precisely three p.m. that afternoon Emily was ushered into the presence of Thaddius T. Thackery, attorney at law. “This way, please.” The receptionist opened a heavy paneled door that led to a richly appointed office.
    The man sitting behind the massive oak desk stood when she entered. Thaddius Thackery was a tall, slim man with a shock of gray hair and a charismatic smile. He exuded an air of self-confidence and charm that was at once arresting and intimidating. His piercing brown eyes swept Emily from head to toe in one assessing glance. “Mrs. Franklin.” Coming around his desk, he extended his hand. “I'm Thad Thackery.” His slim fingers clasped Emily's cold hand. “Won't you sit down?"
    Emily perched on a narrow chair and Thad sat on the edge of his desk, swinging one leg. “Shall we get down to business?"
    Emily said, “I want to talk to you about a divorce."
    Thad seemed skeptical. “That's a serious step. Are you sure?"
    "Oh, I'm sure.” Over the past few days she had decided it would foolish to fight the inevitable, “Very sure."
    Thad Thackery drummed a pencil on his desk as his bushy brows pulled together in a straight line. “You're very sure you want to divorce your husband?"
    "You misunderstand me.” Emily's throat was tight with tension. “My husband is divorcing me. He told me I should engage legal counsel."
    "You soon-to-be ex is still telling you what to do?” Thad asked in a bland monotone, “Did he suggest you come to me?"
    He was being both amiable and caustic and in the process he was making Emily feel like a simpering fool. “No. My son gave me your name."
    "How long have you been married to this man who wants to divorce you?” Thad raised those expressive brows, looked straight into her eyes and waited for an answer.
    She wanted to tell him that wasn't