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Denise sighed "I do love uess he was an idiot"

"He thinks we should get married That will solve all the problems Isn’t it practical? I’ll stay here and he can see Tyler all the tiirls"

As soon as she spoke, Liz realized it was probably a mistake Denise was Ethan’s mother Of course she would take her son’s side No doubt the other wohed "Is this where I tell you Ethan takes after his father?"

Liz glanced at her "You don’t think it’s a good idea?"

"The words practical andabout e is practical It’s wonderful and difficult and a Besides, no one wants a proposal like that We want to hear that the man in question is madly in love with us We want to be swept away Not cooodto ainst the other wo she could have known Denise years ago Maybe if they’d had a chance to fors would have been different She could have cohtened, then scrambled to her feet "You’re not surprised he proposed You knoe’ve been…" Sleeping seehed "Yes It’s fairly obvious Ethan is s, but subtle isn’t one of the I assu"

Denise paused "I wasn’t sure at first I always felt so badly about how you grew up I could see how difficult it was for you I have three daughters myself Yet I couldn’t seem to reach out to you I never knehat to say"

Liz hugged her arms across her chest "That doesn’t matter now"

"It matters a lot All your life the people you care about have hurt you Including Tyler Now ned to make sure you know you’re not special to him" Her voice softened "For what it’s worth, I think he does care about you"

Liz appreciated the support, but the words didn’t change anything "Caring isn’t enough"

"I know" Denise looked as if she was going to say hed "Please don’t take this wrong, but I think you should let Ethan have Tyler for the rest of the week and through the weekend"

Liz froze She eyed the door and wondered if she could go inside and grab her son and get out before Denise stopped her

"Ethan and Tyler both have an unrealistic view of their relationship," Denise continued "I have six kids I knohat it’s like and sure, from the outside, it’s easy He doesn’t have a clue as to the reality Tyler doesn’t, either Maybe you should let them find out"

"I can’t," she breathed

Denise rose and ive youto disappear with hi everyday life can be Your son loves you Give him a chance to miss you"

The words were iut told her this was exactly what had to happen Not that she could ione overnight before--to camp, with friends--this was different This terrified her

Slowly, she nodded "Okay Through the weekend"

Denise pulled her close "It will be all right You’ll see"

"I hope so"

She hugged the other woman and was held in return For a second she closed her eyes and absorbed the loving support

"It’s not supposed to be this hard"

Denise patted her back "It’s not supposed to be a lot of things, but still we get through it You’ll get through this"