February Or Forever by Juliet Madison Page A

huh?’
    â€˜I think so. Give them something to look forward to.’
    Something to look forward to…Chrissie knew what she looked forward to; the day when Kai smiled and waved at her at school drop off, the day when she could leave the beach house and move somewhere not so close to the ocean, and of course, tomorrow, when she’d see Drew Williams again.
    â€˜Also, tell him how grown up he is when he does something good. Give him a bit of extra responsibility — that’ll raise his self-esteem.’
    â€˜Have you turned into Dr Phil?’
    â€˜I wrote an article on it last month. Haven’t you read it?’
    Chrissie hadn’t had the time or concentration to read lately, her mind provided enough drama as she lay in bed mulling over things. ‘No, but I’ll have to. Send me the link.’
    â€˜Already did, last month. Don’t worry, I’ll send it again in case it drowned in the deluge of emails that is your inbox.’
    â€˜So, rewards and responsibility. Should I have him cook dinner once a week?’ Chrissie added a hint of sarcasm to her voice.
    â€˜Worth a try! Nah, seriously, it doesn’t have to be big, just something new. What about…does he catch the bus to school?’
    â€˜Nope. It comes by the far corner of our street, but he won’t do it. I have to drive him, and even that’s a struggle.’
    â€˜Try and build up to it. Take him to the bus stop and let him see the other kids get on, then get in the car and follow the bus so he can see where it goes and the kids arriving at school. Do that a few times until he’s used to it and then see if he’ll get on. Tell him it’s what big kids do.’
    â€˜I think he’s quite happy to be a little kid at the moment. But I’ll try.’
    â€˜That’s the spirit.’
    Thank God for Melinda. She was so go-with-the-flow and down to earth. She was like the sister she…the sister she…well, the sister she once had. At least, that’s what Chrissie imagined her sister would have turned out like had Danielle lived beyond the age of eleven. Would they have stayed close? Maybe she would have had her own kids by now, and Kai would have cousins. But it wasn’t to be. Kai would never know his aunt, nor his grandparents. There were Victor’s parents of course, but they weren’t the grandparenty types. They were all ‘don’t touch that’ and ‘keep your voice down’ and ‘don’t interrupt the adults when they’re talking’ kind of people. They were about as warm as a winter’s morning.
    If only Mum was here to talk to, to ask her advice on motherhood. Chrissie’s mind wandered, remembering her mother’s soft eyes and sweet voice. Unfortunately, along with those memories came memories of the bags under her eyes and her voice straining to speak through the weakness of her final days. Hot tears threatened behind Chrissie’s eyes and she clamped them tight.
    â€˜Chrissie?’ Melinda asked.
    â€˜Yes, I’m here. Sorry, was just thinking.’
    â€˜Look, I know you’ve been through a ton, but just take each day as it comes. You can do this. You’re strong. You’re a great mother.’
    Chrissie’s heart doubled over at her friend’s kind words. She didn’t feel strong sometimes, and if she was such a great mother then why was Kai so difficult and whingey?
    â€˜And,’ Melinda continued, her tone lightening. ‘You’ve got a damn good figure. I’d kill for your legs!’
    â€˜Oh, stop it!’ She giggled, walking around to the back of the house, her gaze wandering across the horizon over the large rocky hill.
    â€˜So, plan of action: chips on Fridays, give him responsibility, and give him some kind of reward here and there to look forward to. Got it?’
    â€˜Got it.’
    â€˜Good.’
    Chrissie wouldn’t have been surprised if her friend