Alyssa stood there, her mind racing as she tried to come up with a response. She didn't want to lie to Tim, her six-year-old son, but she also wasn't ready to have the difficult conversation that she knew would follow if she told him the truth. Taking a deep breath, she mustered the courage to speak.
"Tim, honey, he's just someone mommy knows," she said, hoping to divert his attention. "Why don't you go ahead and get ready for bed? I'll be right there to tuck you in."
Tim looked at her with wide eyes, clearly unsatisfied with her answer. "But who is he, mommy? I've never seen him before."
Alyssa smiled, trying to mask the turmoil inside her. "He's just a friend, sweetheart. Mommy will explain more later, okay? Right now, it's time for bed."