Chapter 2

The next morning, Lucas and Oliver finally come back through the mirror.

Today is Oliver's parent-teacher conference.

In the classroom, his teacher singles him out, grades dropping fast. She tells me I need to spend more time helping him study.

Oliver shoots to his feet. "I don't want her teaching me! All she does is cook and clean! She's useless!"

"Sage lives in the apocalypse, she finds supplies, she kills zombies! She's the real amazing mom!"

Lucas doesn't stop him. He just pats my shoulder lightly.

"Nia, kids say things. Don't take it to heart."

"But he's got a point. All you ever do is fuss over little household stuff. No wonder he doesn't feel close to you."

Oliver tugs on Lucas's hand.

"Dad, I wanna go home and see Sage!"

Lucas nods, makes a quick excuse to the teacher, and leaves with Oliver.

The teacher gives me an awkward smile. Says something about kids having wild imaginations.

All I feel is the urge to laugh.

Five years ago, Oliver got severely ill, almost didn't make it.

Lucas begged me to give up my promotion and stay home full-time.

I spent countless sleepless nights pulling that boy back from the edge of death.

Five years of putting everything on hold, falling completely out of the workforce.

And now they blame me for only knowing "household stuff."

When I get home, Lucas and Oliver are holding fancy flowers and a fruit basket they just bought.

They're about to step into the mirror.

Oliver spots me, then points at my wrist.

"Mom! Give me your watch!"

I instinctively cover it with my other hand.

The second I refuse, he throws a tantrum.

"Why not?! Electronics don't work in the apocalypse because of the radiation! Only mechanical watches can tell time! Sage counts the hours waiting for us every day! She needs it!"

Lucas sets down the fruit basket and walks over. His tone says I'm being unreasonable.

"Nia, tomorrow is Sage's birthday. There's nothing nice to give her over there. That watch is just sitting on your wrist doing nothing. What's the big deal?"

Just sitting on my wrist doing nothing?

This watch is the last thing my father left me before he died.

Sage's birthday gets flowers, fruit, and my father's watch.

But my birthday, two weeks ago?

I cooked a full dinner and waited all day.

They didn't come out of the mirror until midnight.

Lucas tossed me a piece of clothing.

"Happy birthday. Try it on."

I put it on. A crop top.

Oliver pointed at my stomach and burst out laughing.

"Mom looks so ugly in Sage's clothes! There's a gross centipede on her belly! Sage's stomach is so pretty, she has abs!"

So my birthday present was Sage's hand-me-down.

That's my C-section scar, from delivering him.

Lucas sees me still guarding my wrist. His face goes cold.

He grabs Oliver's hand and turns away.

"Let's go, Ollie. Your mother doesn't have an ounce of compassion."

Oliver hugs the bouquet and makes a vicious face at me.

"Sage is so much better! I never want you as my mom again!"

Lucas doesn't look back.

"Yeah... that home is better."

They walk into the mirror.

I walk to the shoe cabinet by the door and open it.

The sledgehammer is right where I left it.

They love that world so much.

Soon enough, they can stay there forever.