“Ohhhh no you don’t,” I say, laughing anxiously. I start to stand up but Alvin lunges for me and grabs my hand.
“Come on, mama, we want to hear the story!” Alvin looks up at me with big brown eyes, hard to resist.
“Yes, mama! We want to hear daddy’s side!” Ian stays curled up next to his father, clinging to his arm.
“Yeah, come on, mama” Victor says, smirking at me, his voice low and mocking. “What are you afraid of? That I’ll tell them the truth?”
I know I’m rising to his bait, but I sit back down on the bed. “Fine. But I get mediation privileges. I demand the right to correct you when you lie.”
Victor nods graciously and the boys cheer.
“Closer, mama!” Alvin tugs on my arm, pulling me to the top of the bed with the rest of them. I curl up on Alvin’s far side, ca
