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certainly did not want him obsessing over Gary.
    Josh thought about it for a minute and then asked, “If I can’t see Gary, what about this other guy? He was super cool. Can I see him?”
    Lauren was glad when the cab pulled up in front of her house. “We’re home now, sweetheart. We can continue this conversation some other time.”
    Josh rolled his eyes. “Yeah. Like never.”
    She paid the driver and helped Josh out of the car. He winced when he moved his arm.
    “Has the medicine worn off? You need more, kiddo?”
    “It hurts. And I don’t want to wear this stupid cast.”
    “It’s not a cast. It’s just a sling, and it helps mobilize your arm. When we get you inside, you can lie down and we’ll ice your elbow.”
    “I don’t want no ice. It’ll hurt.”
    Once the door was opened, Josh marched into the family room off the kitchen and plopped down on the sofa. His face was glum. “Stupid dog made me fall off my stupid bike.”
    She ignored his repeated use of the word “stupid” and said instead, “How about if we turn on SpongeBob or Scooby-Doo ?”
    “Don’t want that. I want Power Rangers , not a dumb baby show.”
    He always wanted to see either that or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles , but she preferred him to watch something that didn’t involve fighting. Which, of course, explained why he was demanding it now.
    Lauren could see he was heading for a meltdown, so she turned on Scooby-Doo , hoping he’d soon forget about the other. “There. You love this show. Watch it, and I’ll get you some juice to take your medication with. Then we can ice the arm. You heard the doctor. He said it had to be done every hour or so.”
    “No way.” He kicked the coffee table.
    “Please, don’t do that.” Lauren went into the kitchen and found the children’s Tylenol. She poured some juice, hoping he’d take it before the pain ratcheted. She returned to the living room and held out the glass. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I know it hurts. This will help.” She had the chewable pill in her other hand. “Here you go. Wash it down with your juice.”
    He turned his head, refusing the drink and medicine. “No! It tastes bad.”
    Frustrated, but knowing he was even more so, Lauren counted to ten. “If you don’t take it, the pain will be worse.”
    His jaw set. “You take it. I don’t want it. Chewables are for babies.”
    “Not true. It’s for little boys and little girls too. She popped one in her mouth. “See. It’s even good for me.” She handed him the glass of juice. “Take the pill, hon. You’ll feel better if you do.”
    He did as he was told, and she was glad that mini-crisis was over.
    “Do I have to go to school tomorrow?”
    “No, honey.” She kissed the top of his head, loving him so much it scared her. “Not until you feel better. In a day or two.”
    “Can you stay home with me?”
    “You know I’m supposed to work. But Julie can come in early and keep you company until I get home.”
    “I want you.” Josh rubbed his eyes and looked ready to cry. He had to be exhausted, but she knew better than to suggest a nap.
    “I took an extra day off last week to go to your school’s sports day. I can’t take another. And you love Julie.”
    He shifted his bottom, moving to the far side of the couch so he was out of her reach. He pouted for a few minutes; then a thought occurred to him, and he bounced up with excitement.
    “If you go to work, maybe you’ll see that guy again. Then he could be my friend. You could ask him, couldn’t you? Maybe he’d like to take me to a Dodgers’ game. Brad is going with his father, and we could all go together.”
    “Oh, honey. I can’t ask him that. I don’t even know him.”
    Josh stood up and kicked a chair. “You don’t care about me. All you ever do is work, and you won’t even ask that guy to take me to a ball game. You are so lame.”
    He stomped off and slammed his bedroom door.
    Lauren left him alone, knowing that he needed his own