Trust in Me by Kathryn Shay

day he got to look more like Joe, except his eyes were more blue than gray, though they had the Murphy shape. Maybe the resemblance was why she worried so much lately. “We agreed that when you were twelve, you could stay alone. Less than a year to go.”
    His brow knitted. “Johnny’s parents leave him alone.”
    “Just your luck to end up with the Wicked Witch for a mother.”
    As usual, humor did the trick. Matt’s features softened and he shot her a half-grin. Her heart turned over in her chest at the look. “Yeah, sure. Every girl in school loves you.” Sometimes, owning DanceWorks, Glen Oaks’ only dance studio, had its advantages. “They say I’m the luckiest kid alive.”
    Turning away, Annie bit her lip and swallowed hard. The last statement zinged her mother’s heart. She picked up the soup pot draining in the sink and dried it as an image from six years before surfaced, imprinted on her mind like a movie scene you couldn’t forget. Only this was all too real—five-year-old Matt, his body still bearing baby fat, diving in front of her, so afraid he was crying; but he confronted his father with determination. Don’t, Daddy. No more.
    “Mom? Did you hear me? I said it was okay.”
    Annie sighed. There it was again. The anxiety in his voice that she dreaded almost as much as any sign of violence. She circled around. “No, Matt, don’t do that. If you’re mad, say it out loud. It’s the best way to deal with anger.”
    “I’m not mad.” He shrugged one shoulder. “I’m embarrassed .”
    “Aunt Suzie won’t tell anybody she’s watching you. And she’s fun to be with, isn’t she?”
    “Yeah, sure, I love Aunt Suz.”
    Suz . It was what Joe had always called his sister.
    The back door creaked open as he said the words, and a curly brown head poked in. Again, Joe’s eyes stared at her from under thick, dark bangs. “Did I hear my name mentioned?”
    Annie smiled over at the twenty-nine-year-old woman. Since Annie’s parents—neglectful at best—had moved to a warmer climate, Suzanne Murphy was all the real family Annie and the kids had. Suzie slipped inside, her long, lean body muscled and fit from years of teaching dance. “Hi, sis.” Sniffing, she said, “Hmm, I smell minestrone. Save me some?”
    Annie laughed. “In the fridge.”
    Suzie hugged Annie briefly, then pinched Matt’s cheek. “Hey, guy, you grow another inch since last week? Geez, you’re big.”
    “I’m eleven.” Matt grinned. “I’m supposed to be growing.”
    Eleven . As she stored the dishes and Suzie teased Matt about his oversize feet, Annie shook her head. It was hard to believe that Annie herself had been only two years older than Matt when she started dating Joey Murphy. And only three years older than her son when she and Joe first had sex. Annie shuddered at the thought of something like that happening to Matt.
    “Hey, the kitchen looks good.” Suzie scanned the freshly painted cream walls and rim of blue stenciling around the top. Along with a new hardwood floor and gleaming white appliances, the room was a showcase. “You do this alone?”
    “Nope, Wick’s Lumber put in the floor. Linc and the Donovans came over and helped with the rest.” She smiled. “Ronny did the stenciling.” Annie tried not to beam with pride over finishing off another room in this house. Six years before, while pregnant with Faith, she’d taken the savings she and Joe had managed to put away—if nothing else he was a good provider—and she’d bought this dilapidated property because it was so cheap and because she couldn’t stay one more night in the apartment she’d shared with Joe. Linc had said the house was a metaphor for Annie herself. She’d been beaten and broken, just like this place, and had healed herself as she’d renovated the house. He’d been right. Her goal was to provide a safe retreat for her family, an oasis from the stresses of their daily lives. All that was left to remodel was the