#Chapter 84: A Love Triangle

Ardal Jack confers with Kadeem over the itinerary, while the kids bolt around like wild animals - all but Erbao, who soon tires out and plops down onto the curb in the shade. I take a seat next to him and hold out my open bag of popcorn, but he shakes his head. “Mom?” I fling a piece of popcorn into my mouth. “Hmm.” “I heard you talking to Kadeem about me.” I freeze, mouth half-open to gobble another bit of snack. “You did,” I ask, feeling the anxiety rising inside of me. “That’s why we’re leaving? Because of me?” I fold up my bag. “There are different reasons… An adventure… Maybe turning a page for all of us.” “Mom,” he presses. I wrap my arm around his frail frame. He is a mere shadow of the boy I once knew, but his thin appearance belies the fierce vitality inside. His dark eyes brim with intelligence, his wiry mop of hair tousled from adventures past, and his skinned knees - a testament to fearless abandon. “Yes, it’s for you, on