Neville didn''t press the issue or bring up anything else that might make Ste ufortable.


    Most of their conversation revolved around her uingpetition and the concert she''d been invited to.


    Before they knew it, noon had arrived, and the group decided to have lunch at a buffet restaurant.


    Throughout the meal, Neville was constantly on his feet, bustling around to help everyone-grabbing sses, fetching forks, pouring water and drinks for the


    table.


    Keen stared at him in amazement.


    While Ste and Marvin were off filling their tes, Neville grinned and leaned in. "Hey, Keen, why are you looking at me like that?"


    Keen''s eyes darted away. "I... I wasn''t. It''s nothing."


    Neville could easily see through the little boy''s thoughts. With a gentle smile, he asked, "Let me guess when you eat with your parents, your mom is the one always running around, making sure everyone else is taken care of, isn''t she?"


    Keen hesitated a moment, then nodded honestly. "Yes."


    Neville continued, "So what do you think? Does your mom like being so busy, or would she rather have someone take care of her for a change?”


    Keen thought about it, then answered in a small voice, "I think... she''d like someone to take care of her."


    Even a five-year-old could understand something so simple.


    Neville smiled again. "Keen, have you noticed how much your mom has changed since the divorce? She''s be so much more impressive and full of life."


    Keen nodded.


    Neville pressed gently, "So, if you had to choose between the mom from before and the mom she is now, which one would you pick?"


    A look of conflict crossed Keen''s face.


    He liked the way his old mom doted on him, always fussing over every little thing, and sometimes he wished she''d go back to being that way.


    But his mom now, though a little unfamiliar, was full of surprises. He liked her just as much maybe even more.


    Keen struggled with the question for a long moment, then finally whispered, "Can I choose both?"


    Neville chuckled. "Nope, you can only pick one. No being greedy."


    Keen mulled it over seriously, then said, "I choose the mom she is now."


    That answer didn''t surprise Neville at all.


    People are naturally drawn to strength-and children, even more so, in their simple, straightforward way.


    Keen went on shyly, "I never realized Mom could do so many things. She speaks othernguages, ys the violin, and even paints. She doesn''t fuss over me the way she used to,


    but she seems a little happier now So, I''d rather have the mon she is now. I''m bigger now-I can take care of myself. What matters is that Mom gets to be happy."


    Neville paused, taken aback.


    He''d always assumed Keen was just a spoiled little kid, but he hadn''t expected this level of understanding.


    Looking at Keen, he said, "Since


    you


    like your mom the way she is now, then you can''t let your dad and mom get back together, if they do your mom might end up unhappy again. You don''t want that, do you?"


    Keen nodded automatically, though something about the conversation made him feel uneasy.


    Before he could figure out what it was, Ste and Marvin returned to the table. Ste had even brought back a te of Keen''s favorite food.


    Keen''s eyes lit up, and instead of taking it for granted like he might have before, he said, "Thanks, Mom."


    Ste smiled and ruffled his hair. "Eat up."


    After lunch, the four of them went off to enjoy the rest of the afternoon together.


    ...


    Meanwhile, Haynes arrived just as they were about to leave.


    Using the tracker on Keen''s


    smartwatch, he found their location and made his way across the park to akeside path, where he spotted


    spotted


    Ste''s familiar silhouette.


    His heart skipped a beat, and he started toward her-only to freeze in his tracks


    when he saw Ste and Neville standing in each other''s arms.