Adam, darling, the last thing I want is to hurt you or cause you pain.
Adam was perched on the window sill, watching the drizzle run down the glass. He was waiting for his dad to get home and pondering lifes big questions. Two years had slipped by since his mum had left them for greener pastures (or, as Dad put it with a sigh, to start a brand-new family for herself). Why had she left her own son behind? Well, that was anyones guess. Adam found it all rather baffling. Still, slowly but surely, memories of her started to fade.
His father did everything in his power for him. After all, Adam was ten nowpractically grown! There were few secrets left between them, save for one: why Mum had gone. Adam had learned how to wash up and neatly stack the plates away; he no longer fussed with toys or silly games.
In truth, he was inching toward manhood. Trouble was, he felt terribly alone. What Adam wanted more than anything was a dog. His dad, sadly, wasnt having any of it:
And whos going to walk it and feed it? Im out at work all day and you, young man, have school. Youre barely old enough to look after yourself, never mind a dog!
Instead of a puppy, his dad eventually brought home a woman. Her name was Alice, and she moved in with them as casually as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Adam, unamused, made it his mission to avoid conversation. He saw her as unnecessaryan intruder, even. But Dad called her his wife and insisted Adam could do with a mother.
I dont need her! Adam had declared, leaving no room for negotiation. And so life squelched on. Adam noticed how much happier Dad seemed with Alice around. They were often laughing together in the kitchen or sharing a quick cuddle when they thought he wasnt looking. Adam, meanwhile, stewed in a quiet sort of misery.
Dad, I want her to leave, Adam pleaded one day.
Adam, Id like her to stay. Lifes a bit bleak without a wife, you knowa partner and someone to share things with.
As summer tiptoed in, Adam spent his afternoons tearing about the garden with the local boys. From them, he heard unsettling rumours that his dad and Alice were planning to send him off to some dreadful childrens home.
The thought was horrifying. After all, if his mum had left him, why wouldnt his dad do the same? Maybe they wanted a proper fresh starta new baby, perhapsand Adam would simply get in the way. He decided then and there that hed better be prepared just in case.
Soon after, he accidentally overheard a snippet of grown-up conversationItll do him good, perhaps we should send him therewhich filled him with dread and convinced him his fears were true.
Sleep evaded him that night. By morning, hed made up his mind: Alice had to go. He started waging a private waradding salt to her tea, switching the hob on under empty frying pans, and being generally impolite. Alice soon saw through it all and called him in for a proper chat.
Adam, she said, we need to talk. Youre upset.
Im not upset about anything, came his unconvincing reply.
Adam, love, the last thing I want to do is hurt you.
She took a deep breath. Weve actually rented a lovely cottage for the summermeant it as a surprise, but I think its time for a little honesty. Your dads found a dogwere going to fetch it today. Would you like to come with us?
Youre not kidding? Adam blurted out, eyes lighting up, half-suspicious but desperate to believe her. Then, suddenly, he was hugging Alice for all he was worth.
Alice nearly burst into tears herself: Well, you ought to be happy! Theres really no need to cry. She gave him a gentle pat on the head.
When his dad got home from work, they piled into the car to collect the puppy. Adams earlier hostility melted away, and he no longer saw Alice as an enemy. By the time the fluffy little creature snoozed in his arms, all was forgiven. The whole family, such as it was, finally felt just rightdog included.
