Chapter 69

Lucas started the car and glanced at Jake and Miranda in the rearview mirror. Jake had been throwing a tantrum at the restaurant earlier, screaming so loudly that it almost tore the roof off. At this moment, however, he was curled up in Miranda's arms like a good boy, acting all sweet. "I won't do anything you don't like, Mom," he said. Lucas rolled his eyes at him. He wanted very badly to roll the tapes and show Jake what he looked like a month ago. He made fun of Jake in his mind, but this was the first time he had ever seen Jake behaving so well in a long time. Jake nestled in Miranda's arms, looking at her with teary eyes. On the other hand, Miranda looked down at him, talking to him gently. This was not a striking scene, but it was so gentle that it tugged at Lucas' heartstrings. For a moment, he felt like he was in a parallel world. As he waited at the stoplight, he turned to the back to take a look, because looking through the rearview mirror could no longer satisfy him.