Hayden looked stern as he said, "Grandma won't let us go look for Mommy if we told her about it."

Layla puffed her cheeks and looked a little torn as she said, "Okay… Let's just go find Mommy, then! What if Dirtbag Dad's picking on her?"

Hayden pursed his lips, then came to a decision after a quick deliberation.

"I'll go alone. You wait at home. Come up with an excuse if Grandma comes back," he said, then left the house.

As Layla watched the room door close behind Hayden, she blinked a coupl