“Here you go,” Janie announced. She placed their breakfast plates down and Adam watched his brothers begin to eat with gusto.

Adam got a coffee refill and sat back in his chair to reflect on Sally Duke, his mother, the woman who’d given three boys a chance at a good life instead of them being dragged down by a system too overburdened to care. Sally had changed the direction of their lives and made it possible for them to grow up strong and self-assured.

Adam owed her his life. But that didn’t mean he would roll over and play dead just because Sally wanted to hear the pitter-patter of little rug rats around the house.

“You want some of this bacon?” Brandon asked.

“No, thanks,” Adam said. He checked his watch. “I’d better run. I’ve got a meeting with Jerry Mansfield in half an hour.”

“Wait, what are we going to do about Mom?” Brandon said.

“You worry too much,” Cameron said between bites. “Nothing’s going to happen.”

Brandon shook his head. “We are so screwed.”

“Deb, I have to go,” Trish whispered. Her best friend had called to find out how the job was going but Trish couldn’t concentrate, knowing Adam would be back from his meeting any minute now.

“Just one more thing,” Deb said. “Ronnie’s taking me out for my birthday tomorrow night.”

“Do you need me to babysit?”

“No, but thanks. My mom’s coming over.”

“Oh, my God,” Trish said as realization dawned. “Is this the first time you’ve been out since the baby was born?”

“Yes, and I don’t know what to wear,” Deb whined. “My world is elastic waistbands and maternity bras. I want to look sexy again. Help!”

Trish mentally pictured Deb’s closet. She knew it as well as she knew her own. “Haven’t you lost enough weight to wear your red dress?”