THE DISCOVERY

He had been strange since his return from school the previous evening. Nothing you could put your finger ona certain melancholy thoughtfulness, vague, yet disturbing glances. As tho he were still seeing me as his 'good ole mom', and yet there was a wondering. He seemed to be seeing me in a new light with new eye s.

He's

I could do no more than ignore the strangeness, yet it caused a tension that was apparent, for as Claire was leaving for her evening adult education course, she muttered, "Wonder what's bugging Hap? well, I dunno, itching for a mother-son gab session, I guess. At least I don't have to make up an excuse for leaving you two alone tonight."

Sweet, sweet, Claire. Yet it disturbed her that Hap still didn't include her in his talks with me, although the subjects were rarely of a personal nature. It disturbed me too, in a way, yet Hap was my son and I loved him. My pleasure at having him show his preference for me dimmed any other emotions I may have felt.

I had changed into my black chino's, shirt and loafers, and as I walked into the living room Hap eyed me curiosly. I couldn't return his gaze, for it had become startlingly clear to me that there would have to be a gab session tonight, only this one would be personal, and the subject must necessarily be my relationship with Claire.

Hap wasn't quite five years old when Claire came to live with me. I was thankful that he was too young to understand the situation, and put from my mind the knowledge that there would have to be a day of reckoning.

Time has subdued the terrible impact, the incredulous wonder of our great love. The utter rapture of quenching burning desire, the torturous despair of self-condemnation, has given way to time and maturity. The seed of our love burst, faltered, was nourished, and grew. It has flowered in the purity of faith, hope, and under-