Jamie felt a sting in her nose, barely holding back the tears threatening to fall.

Linda grew anxious, sensing Jamie's growing sadness. She repeated softly, "Don't cry. Jamie, don't cry."

Hearing those familiar words brought Jamie back to her childhood. Her mom had always comforted her the same way.

With tears glistening at the corner of her eyes, Jamie managed a smile. "I'm not crying."

She quickly wiped her eyes and put on a brave face.

Only when she composed herself did Linda relax and release her grip.

"Mom, if I sent you to a place where you couldn't see Charlie and me as often, would you be okay with that? Would you blame me?" Jamie asked cautiously.

"What place? Where would I go?" Linda's anxiety grew, her tone turning uneasy.

The sight of her mother's distress instantly made Jamie abandon the thought. She quickly backtracked, "It's nothing, just kidding. Don't worry about it. Go back and play with Charlie."

Charlie, their cheerful voices echoing through the house.

when I get back," Jamie

*

was scheduled at dawn, and while they had a lot of luggage,

plane took

explained the night before that she would be away on a business trip to Bay City for two days, and while Charlie had been upset, he eventually accepted it. Still,

that Charlie wasn't too sad,

skies and clouds through the airplane window, she rubbed her temples, feeling a bit of discomfort. Out of the corner of her eye, she noticed Ben

realization hit her. She had completely forgotten

brows furrowed as she rummaged through her bag. She

for a cup of warm water?" she asked the

polished demeanor of business-class service,

and medication to Ben. "Ben,

much an effort to appear cold as it was a way to

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