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and this is all you've amounted to – a nomad, a drifter who hasn't made her place in the world at 25."
    "Mother—”
    "I'm going now, Hilda."
    "Mom."
    "Goodbye."
    The line went dead. Tears rose in Hilda's eyes, but she refused to let them fall, refused to weaken. Hilda knew if she allowed her mother to get to her, she would lose all fight and give up on her dreams. She wanted Aaron to be proud of her. She had so much promise growing up, the top in every class, from ballet to music, admired for her beauty and her hardworking attitude that eased her along. But a single decision, a momentary lapse of judgment and she lost everything. Even so, God had blessed her with a bright, beautiful, and healthy boy. She couldn't ask for anything else. Could she?
    Hilda made the call again.
    The volume of noise grew around her as she heard Charles and the team nearby. They were here now. She knew she had to tolerate the noise if she got through to Melanie, and though she heard the chatter about her, it was not loud.
    She had been calling all afternoon. This time the cell connected to the out of breath sound of Melanie answering the phone.
    Knowing what Melanie must have been going through, Hilda ignored the open wounds left by her mother and focused on her friend.
    "Mel, are you alright, you sound tired."
    "I am and I've just had a nap. Sorry I missed your calls, Scott was must have taken it to call a friend. And when I'm asleep I never hear the downstairs one.”
    “How are you?”
    “Shattered and aching.”
    "How's Aaron?"
    "Oh, Aaron's great, he's been playing in the garden with Scott and Zakky, they've been out there for the past half hour."
    Hilda smiled and she felt her shoulders fall slack. She didn't realize how charged up she was about Aaron's absence until that moment. So Aaron was having fun. The moment Aaron spotted Zakky, he run to the dog and hugged it. Zakky, a German Shepard, was very careful around Aaron. Now doubt a large part of Aaron having a good time was due to Zakky.
    "I was so worried/ When I called and couldn't get an answer."
    "We waited because you said you'd call at one. When you didn't, guess who volunteered to wait indoors for you to call?"
    "Aww, Mel." Hilda appreciated Melanie's efforts and understood only too well how hard it was for her. "I'm sorry, I know it's hard."
    "I'm the one who is sorry. I should have taken Scott's cell. Mine still hasn't arrived."
    "Don't be silly, I'm just glad to hear that Aaron is having a good time."
    "He's an energetic little guy, he's running poor Scott ragged." Melanie managed a laugh.
    Hilda's mood lightened at the sound of her friend laughing. Not everything had to be looked at as serious and demanding, even if they were tough. And she never got the feeling of being judged by Melanie or Scott. When she felt that a child outside of wedlock would make it impossible to return to the grace of God, Melanie and Scott took every opportunity to reach out to her with the gospel and the love of Christ. As much as they loved Aaron, he loved their company. She knew they would make great parents.
    "Is Aaron within earshot?" Hilda said.
    "Scott's probably fixing Aaron a snack." Melanie called out to Scott.
    Hilda heard Scott's deep voice followed by an excited high-pitched shout that put merriment in her heart.
    "Hi, Mommy!"
    Hilda gasped for air, and the tears she held back earlier now fell.
    "Babykins, having fun?"
    "Yes, Mommy. I bathed Zakky."
    "Oh, wow, well done. How is Scott?"
    "Eh, he's slow. He can never catch me." Aaron sounded proud of himself.
    "Really?" Hilda didn't have to see Aaron to know how his face was lit with joy.
    "Yes. He is a slow poke. I have to run slow sometimes." Aaron whispered the last words. Hilda was sure whoever stood in the room shared their secret.
    "You are such a good boy."
    "And we're having cupcakes."
    Hilda could see his curls bobbing whenever he jumped happily.
    "And make sure you eat all of your dinner, okay?"
    "Okay, Mommy."
    "I'll see you