For a moment, the men stood quietly.
Then a deep rumble traveled through the pond.
Everyone turned.
The water near the black gate began moving.
A broad circular ripple spread outward.
Then another section of the northeastern bank dropped away.
Mud and grass disappeared into the water.
Naomi stared.
The collapse was larger than the previous one.
Much larger.
And it showed that the unstable zone was expanding.
Claire was contacted immediately.
After reviewing the new information, she recommended stronger restrictions around the area and an urgent reassessment of the risk.
Naomi looked toward her farmhouse on the higher ground.
For the first time, she wondered whether she'd be able to keep the children there while the investigation continued.
That night, Naomi called her former husband.
His name was Aaron.
They had spoken about the children regularly since the divorce, but most conversations were practical.
School schedules.
Medical appointments.
Holidays.
And transportation arrangements.
This time, she explained the pond.
The collapsing bank.
And the possibility that additional precautions might require temporary changes to the children's living arrangements.
Aaron listened quietly.
Then asked whether Malik and Zuri were safe.
"Yes. They're with me, and we've kept them away from the pasture."
He nodded.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then he asked whether she wanted him to come get them temporarily.
Naomi hesitated.
The idea hurt.
She'd spent months rebuilding a stable home.
Now she was considering sending the children away because the land itself might be unsafe.
But she also knew pride couldn't be allowed to determine their safety.
"I may need you to take them for a few days if the engineers recommend it."
Aaron answered immediately.
"Of course."
Naomi felt a wave of relief.
Then he asked whether she needed help with anything else.
She almost said no.
That had become her automatic answer.
Then she looked toward the stack of bills on the table.
The engineering expenses.
The farm repairs.
And the attorney's retainer.
She took a breath.
"I need help covering some of the temporary costs."
There was a pause.
Then Aaron said, "Send me what you've got. I'll see what I can do."
Naomi closed her eyes.
For a moment, she felt unexpectedly emotional.
Their marriage had failed.
They still disagreed about many things.
But the children belonged to both of them.