“Doctor Kramer found a suspicious growth on my stomach. I was to go back Tuesday for an out-patient procedure to have it removed and biopsied. I did...not want you to worry needlessly. I think I will ask him to look again before he does anything to be sure there is something there. I don’t think there will be.“I’m sorry, Helen. I didn’t think.”“No, you did not. Don’t fail to tell me anything again or I will have our daughter’s fiancé beat you within an inch of your life.”Mister Mason did the. I went back to our room and hit the sack, smiling.The alarm went off the next morning on time, and I got out of bed to make coffee. I called in sick for Charli, left a note to that effect on the kitchen table, and after eating a hurried breakfast drove to work.I asked Roberta if I could take some time off soon; she said it would be fine, but to let her know when. I needed time alone to think. Charli had deceived me, about her age and her child. I wasn't angry, just concerned. Lisbeth was a. Quentin justnodded, while Flora asked if she could call her that as well. Flora washappy when both said, "If you want" with Flora smiling and nearly crying,saying, "Goodnight mom, dad" to them as she went up to go to sleep.The couple kissed as Greta's tears welled up. She wasn't prone to rashdecisions but it felt right to help the girls who had won her heart. Theyneeded stability and love, she had love to give them.The next morning, the girls woke up with smiles on their faces. Floraasked if. Shelly ran toward the adjoining room and its bathroom before Jeff could do more than draw a breath. He shook his head and sat on the clothes covered chair where he’d started his morning. Lori plopped down and wrapped her arms around his neck before resting her cheek against his shoulder.Jeff rubbed her back and shoulders. She hadn’t worn any kind of cover-up or sunscreen so her shoulders were a little pink from the sun. He rested his lips against her salty forehead while he continued to trace.