Jacob couldn’t stop thinking about River Foster and the comments he had made about his mother. He knew he should ask his mother about it eventually, but he hadn’t had the chance. She had been coming home late from work and going right to sleep.

So when she was finally home early tonight, he had to ask.

“Hey, Mom,” Jacob said, his voice steady but cautious. He leaned against the doorway, watching her turn the TV on. “Can I ask you something?”

His mother, Shelly, looked up, pausing ...