The Once And Future Father. Marie Ferrarella

was busy with the shop. For just a moment, her eyes touched his face before a curtain fell over them. Thoughts of her best friend faded into the background, nudged aside by memories of other times. “Not right now.”

      “I’ll get it for you.” He bit the words off. He glanced toward the door. From where he stood, it was a long distance from the bed if measured in pain-encased inches. He still thought she should be resting. “Ready?”

      “Ready.” Her voice quavered just a little as very slowly, Lucy took her first step away from the bed and toward the door.