chapter 42

Michael

The next morning I woke up to the smell of coffee. That was unusual because I normally beat everyone up.

Jade barely acknowledged my good morning, which told me something was bothering her.

I started to ask what was wrong when a sleepy Robin made his way into the room, rubbing his eyes.

Turningaround to face our son, Jade plastered a fake smile on her face. "What would you like for breakfast, baby?"

"Pancakes, please,"he said sleepily.

"Coming right up,"she said.

"With chocolate chips?"he inquired hopefully.

"I thinkwe can manage that for breakfast," she told him. Then, almost as an afterthought, she asked, "Michael, would you like some pancakes?"

I raised an eyebrow."That would be terrific," I slowly said. I wasn't interested in eating chocolate chip pancakes, but I liked having meals with Robin.

The tension emanatedfrom her so strongly that even Robin felt it. He ate faster than he normally did and wasn't full of his usual chatter. "May I be excused?" he asked as s