Anne Sutton watched the little guy's actions. He wasn't even tall enough to reach the lock, yet he knew to use it, afraid that Ethan Linden would come back.
Anne Sutton secured the door and led Ian back into the room. "He's gone now. Let's go back to sleep."
'Even though I know Ethan Linden will be back tomorrow, I can't deal with that right now.'
Ian said, "Bedtime, bedtime!"
Holding Anne's hand, he trotted toward the bedroom on his short little legs.
Lying in bed, Anne Sutton saw Ian lying beside her and realized this was probably the first time they had ever formally slept together like this.
Back at the Linden family's home, Ian always slept in the children's room.
Anne Sutton would sometimes go tuck him in.
But she would never sleep in his room.
Now, looking at the little one beside her, who was lying there so quietly, he spoke to Anne, "Mommy, why don't you and Daddy live together? Did Daddy make you unhappy again?"
"..." Anne said, "There are a few reasons for that."
