***Exit Plan***

Emma sat at her vanity. Brushing her hair. The strokes slow. Mechanical.

A knock on her door.

"Mom?"

Liam's voice. She set down the brush. "Come in."

He entered. Closed the door behind him. His face looked older somehow. Harder.

"Can we talk?"

Emma's chest tightened. "Of course. Sit."

Liam didn't sit. Just stood there. Arms crossed. "Are you going soft?"

The question hit like a slap. "What?"

"On Dad. Are you going ...