Keeping Score

“If you want to take me back to my car, you can.” Her voice was clipped. “I’m not giving up.”

I moved my hand to her knee. “I’m not either.” I let it rest there, lingering against her skin.

I turned onto the side street that ran along the school. It was a long shot, but I pulled up to the building.

Julie screamed and I slammed on the brakes. Before the car was in park, she flung the door open and ran toward the school. Shit, she could have fallen flat on her face.

Hunter was lying bundled with his arms tucked tight inside his T-shirt on the front steps. I left the car running and sprinted after her. I didn’t know what kind of state he would be in.

“Hunter? Are you all right? Why did you leave? Are you hurt?” She bombarded him with questions. I reached out and grabbed her shoulder, pulling her back. She knew a lot of things where he was concerned, but she didn’t know he needed space. I knew she couldn’t see past her fear and worry right now.

“I’ve got him,” I told her while I bent down to pick Hunter up. “Give us a sec, ok?”

“Ok.” She nodded, taking a step back.

I felt the tight knot in the back of my throat. I needed to keep it together.

“Hey, little guy. My car is here. Want a ride?”

His head bobbed.

“All right. I’ve got you.”

He barely weighed more than a sack of potatoes. I carried him to the car and climbed in the back seat with him still in my arms. I could feel him moving against me so I knew he was ok, but he didn’t want to talk.

Julie looked down at us. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Fourteen

Julie

Hawk had swapped seats with me. I held Hunter close. I inhaled the scent of his hair. He smelled like a boy covered in playground grime. That outside earthy smell mixed with traces of soap and maybe a hint of pencil.

I looked outside the car. Hawk was on the phone. He said he would call the home so I could sit with Hunter. These minutes felt fleeting, as if I had to absorb all the pain and fear running through this child’s body.

I smoothed his hair. “It’s going to be ok. You know that, right?”

He shook his head.

“Look at me, Hunter,” I urged.

His tear-stained face was enough to break anyone’s heart.

“I want to help. So does Kane. And everyone at the home was worried sick about you. Everyone cares. You scared us, kiddo.”

He shook his head, keeping his lips pressed together.

“You don’t have to say anything, but know that I care about you more than anything else. You’re safe now. We’ll make sure you get home.”

“It’s not home,” he squeaked.

Hawk had finished the phone call and stooped his head to check on us in the car. “Everything ok in here?” he asked.

Hunter shook his head.

“Slide,” he directed me, and I scooted to the center of the backseat with Hunter’s arms wrapped around my neck. It was close and warm in the backseat, all three of us wedged in together.

“I told them we would drive Hunter home and they could expect us in about twenty minutes.”