Evelyn lay awake most of the night, thinking about Derek and his friendship with Samantha. She knew Derek had gone to the park to see Samantha, likely avoiding a visit to her doorstep. She had shown him the park, unwittingly facilitating their reunion. What could she do?

As night yielded to morning, Evelyn finally dozed off, waking a moment later to her phone's familiar ping. Still half-asleep, she reached for it on the bedside table, squinting at the bright screen. Her heart leaped; sleep fled as she saw two texts, one a "good morning" from Derek. When would he stop? she mused, feeling guilty.

Ignoring Derek's message, she opened Rayna's text, sighing at the news Rayna would arrive by noon. She was glad she'd confided in Rayna, who would understand her worries and offer sound advice. While she'd have loved to tell Margaret, she needed someone present, and Rayna best understood her relationship with Sandra and Michael, and why she was keeping Samantha's meeting with Derek a secret.

Sighing, Evelyn got up to check on Samantha. They had planned to bake cookies, and she wanted to start before Rayna arrived.

A short while later, at breakfast, Maya, still feeling guilty, said, "Evelyn, about yesterday, I'm sorry." Evelyn sighed. She hadn't spoken to Maya since their conversation the previous night and wasn't sure what to say. She considered telling Maya the truth about Derek to keep Samantha away from him, but hesitated.

"It's okay. If he calls you, tell him Samantha's mom disapproves of his meeting with Samantha."

"No, Mommy!" Samantha protested, tears welling up.

Ignoring Samantha, Evelyn held Maya's gaze. "From now on, Samantha is prohibited from going to the park on weekends. You can take her during the week after school, but she cannot leave the house on weekends unless I'm with her. Is that clear?" Maya nodded.

"Yes, ma'am."

Samantha dropped her spoon, pushing back from the table. Evelyn raised an eyebrow. "Where do you think you're going? Sit down and finish your food," she ordered gently.

"I don't want to eat," Samantha said sadly, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"Why?" Evelyn asked.

"I'm sad. I want to be friends with Derek." Her lip trembled.

"Why do you want to be friends with him?" Evelyn asked, her heart breaking at her daughter's sadness.

Maya, finished eating, excused herself, preferring not to witness Samantha's distress. She thought Evelyn was overreacting and should have spoken to Derek directly. However, she reminded herself that Samantha wasn't her child, and she had no right to interfere.

"Derek is very nice. I like him, and he likes me too," Samantha said. Evelyn nodded.

"Do you like him?" Evelyn asked, wanting to understand the attraction.

"Because 'cause he is kind," Samantha replied, unable to articulate her feelings. "You will know when you see him."

"Well, I'm sorry, darling, but I don't want to see him, and I don't want you to be friends with him anymore."

"Why?" Samantha asked, confused.

"Because I don't want it. Don't worry, baby, I will meet Derek in the future, and when the time is right, I will let you be friends with him. But for now, you can't see him. You trust me, don't you?" Samantha nodded.

"You know I love you and will only do what's best for you?" Samantha nodded again, brushing away tears.

"Then listen to me, baby. I love you and wouldn't do anything to hurt you. I have my reasons for asking you to stay away from Derek, I promise," Evelyn said, taking Samantha's hand.

Evelyn wiped Samantha's tears, regretting her decision, but knowing she needed time to resolve the situation.

"Let's go bake cookies. That should cheer you up," Evelyn suggested, clearing the table as a sullen Samantha followed.

"And guess what? You're going to meet Mommy's friend today!" Evelyn said excitedly.

"I don't want to meet your friend," Samantha mumbled, watching Evelyn do the dishes.

"Why not, darling?" Evelyn asked curiously.

"You don't want to meet my friend. I don't want to meet your friend, too," Samantha said, making Evelyn laugh.

"Alright. You don't have to meet my friend if you don't want to. But she's coming over soon, and if you want to bake those cookies, we have to start now. So, what is it going to be? Are you going to keep sulking? Or are you ready to bake cookies?"

Samantha considered this. "I can be friends with Derek later, just not now," she said, and Evelyn nodded.

"Sure. Don't ask me why."

"Okay. Let's bake the cookies," she said with a resigned sigh.