Grace

It took Mom a while to start dating again after the divorce. She kept all her men private, until she met Reece.
I liked him. He made her happy again, he made things feel normal. Like Dad never left. Like I could forget about the new family he made after he did, because we were making a new one of our own.
And then Mom changed. Collapsing in on herself like a burning building he and I were too slow to escape from.
We were caught in the flames of it. Bearing the heat, coated in ashes, inhaling the smoke.
Reece stayed, even at her lowest points. Even at mine. Even when he shouldn't have, but I was glad he did. I needed him as much as she did. I deserved him more than she did.
Maybe he was there for her, but I knew he stayed for me.
*This story deals with adult themes, sex, and adult situations and is intended for mature readers*