“For me either. Only you, my Mia.”
She hugged him again, and he held her close. He had a long road of healing ahead, but he knew, in his heart, he’d never have those nightmares again.
* * *
Thirty-Three Years Earlier
The county jail sucked. Crowded into a dirty cell with the dregs of society, as Wayne called them, wasn’t on Jeff’s bucket list. What in God’s name had he been thinking, living the kind of life he’d been living? Over a week had gone by. He’d lost track of how many days. He’d been arraigned for robbery, but he had no money for bail, so he had to wait until a public defender came to see him so he could make a deal.
Max had been taken in as well. Fortunately, he and Jeff hadn’t had any contact. Jeff wasn’t sure he’d be able to keep from throttling the guy.
The doctors had taken a sample of his blood earlier today. He wasn’t sure why, but he had nothing to hide.
Mia had come to see him a couple of times. He wasn’t allowed much time for visitation, and he had to sit behind a glass wall and look at her pretty brown eyes and talk to her on a phone. But at least she had come. At least she cared.
She’d assured him that she knew he was innocent, that everything would be okay, but he got the distinct feeling she didn’t believe him. Something in her face, her eyes. Sure, he’d been in trouble before, but he’d never harmed another human being.
He’d get out of this, and she’d believe in him again.
It was late. Visiting hours were over. She hadn’t come today.
He inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly. The public defender would surely come tomorrow. Then this nightmare would be over.
He’d go home to Mia.
* * *
“Help me, Maria!”
Maria sat up in bed. Meghan? What was going on? “What’s wrong?” Maria stood, wrapped her robe around her, and walked swiftly to Meghan’s room. She wasn’t there. Meghan called again, from the bathroom. Maria hurried in.
“What is it? Are you okay?”
“I’m scared. I’m bleeding.”
“Goodness, what happened? Did you fall down or something?”
“No, it’s… I think it’s my period.”
“Your period? Oh my.” Meghan was only barely eleven. Pretty early, but certainly possible. “What happened?”
“It was on the toilet paper.”
“Are you in any pain? Did it hurt when you peed?”
“No.”
“Okay, not a urinary tract infection then. I guess it is your period. I’ll get you a pad, okay?”
“I’m scared.”
“Honey, this is nothing to be scared of. You’re just growing up.”
“I didn’t expect it yet. None of my friends…you know…”
“Well, you’ll be the first then. They’ll all be jealous.”
That got a smile out of her. “Yeah, I guess maybe they will be.”