“I don’t live here. I don’t see how that helps you.”
He shrugged. “People know and like you.” He nodded toward Ryder. “They trust you. If you’re married to me, there must be some redeeming quality to me, right?”
“Except there isn’t.”
He looked down, and for a moment, I thought maybe I’d hurt him.
When he looked up his mask was there. “Perception is reality, Erica. You get your story. I’m even willing to sweeten the deal. Give you some of what you wanted in the first place.”
I looked at him not sure what he was talking about.
“Money, love.”
I sat back in disgust.
“You’ll build your writing reputation, make some money, and all I ask is that you look like you respect me. Help me look reformed.”
I stood. “I don’t make deals with the devil.” I walked out before I could be tempted by the story or the money. It didn’t make any sense. He had to have some other hidden agenda, and I for one wasn’t going to get insured by it.
I returned to the hotel, slept a few hours, and then was on the road home before the sun was up, ready to leave Salvation and Simon behind for good.
When I got home I immediately went to find Mason.
“Mommy?” his voice was filled with sleep.
“Yes baby.”
“You’re back early,” my mother said as she appeared in his doorway.
“Yes. I want my cookie. Will you get it for me?” I asked my sweet boy. He had my coloring, but I saw a lot of Simon in him. But what I saw most was the sweet kind man that had made Mason with me in an act of love.
“Maybe later.” Mason lay back down.
I looked at my mother and frowned. “Is something wrong?”
“He wasn’t feeling very well last night. He doesn’t have a fever but he’s sort of clammy and he didn’t want dinner.”
“Did you call the doctor?”
My mother gave me that look that said I was overreacting. I didn’t care. This was my baby.
“I gave him some medicine and was going to check on him this morning.”
“Come on Mason, let’s get up,” I said, pulling him into my lap. He looked pale and he sagged against me.
“I don’t want to. I’m tired.”
I looked at my mother.
“He’s just tired,” she said.
“He’s four. And when is he ever like this?” I picked him up. “Come on baby, we’re going to see the doctor.” Thankfully my mother didn’t try to stop me.
Yesterday, I thought the worst thing in my life was how Simon was ruining my career and toying with my emotions. As today drew to an end, I knew none of that mattered. The doctor took a listen to his heart and I knew from the expression on his face that something was up. Next thing I knew we were at the hospital and Mason was undergoing tests for some sort of heart concern.
My mother was full of apologies, but I didn’t care about that. All I cared about was my son.
Finally, a doctor came out and I was hell bent on not letting him go away again without telling me what was going on.