As I keep rhythm with my humming and rocking, Milo’s eyes start to grow heavy. His bottle is nearly empty, and he spits out the nipple, an indication that he’s full. Carefully, I set the bottle to the side and move him to my shoulder. With tender taps, I snuggle him to my chest, inhaling his sweet baby scent. Is there anything better than baby shampoo?
Yes, Colton’s body wash.
When I get a nice burp from the sleeping baby, I get up and head to the crib. Colton is there and helps me put him down for the night. He’ll still get up at least once, but I’m hoping that the teething part is better, so it won’t be multiple times like the night before. Colton tucks the blanket around Milo’s abdomen, his little fists resting above his head as he snoozes. With a final kiss to my finger and then to his forehead, I slowly retreat from the room.
I head to the kitchen, my throat suddenly parched. I hear Colton close Milo’s door before he joins me, taking the glass from my shaking hand and filling it with water. He holds the glass, grabbing my hand in the other, and leads me back to the living room. He takes a seat on the couch, his arm thrown over the back. It’s as if he’s giving me the option to sit wherever I want without pressuring me to sit directly beside him. Of course, I take the seat to his right.
There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.
Colton doesn’t say a word—just waits me out. He watches me as I take the glass once more. After I sip more water, I set it down and lean back against his chest. He’s warm and familiar as his arm comes down to rest on my shoulder, holding me close. Taking a deep breath, I begin my story.
“I guess it’s best to start at the beginning, right? You know I lived in Southern California before I moved here. I grew up in Costa Mesa. My dad passed away when I was nine from a massive heart attack.” I feel Colton tense behind me. “He seemed totally healthy to me. He coached my soccer team in the summer and would take me fishing. He was this big guy, larger than life, and one day he was just… gone.”
Deep breath.
“Mom never really recovered, though she tried. She was a good mom, would always bake cookies for class parties, and drive me to and from practice. But she missed him. She worked at a hotel nearby and was excellent at her job. She ended up moving up the ladder, and a few years ago, was offered a regional director position in Florida. I was working, doing well for myself with my design business, so she decided to take it. She wanted a fresh start, you know? And I wanted that for her. I wanted her to be happy again.
“My grandma had always talked about the place she grew up. Fair Lakes, Missouri. She met my grandpa, who was in the Army, and when he moved, she went with him. They ended up in Southern California, where they got married and had my dad. She always would talk about this place, though. Grandma made it sound so wonderful, with that midwestern charm and hospitality.”
My heart starts to pound in my chest as I take another quick sip of water.
“That’s why, when I needed to leave town quickly, I came here.” My voice sounds distant, foreign, even to my own ears.
“Why did you have to leave, Hollis?” Colton asks, his thumb gently stroking my arm in comfort.
I sit up and turn so that we’re facing each other. It takes me a few long seconds, but I finally get the words past my lips. “I saw something.”Chapter 13ColtonHer words have my blood running cold in my veins. “What did you see, baby?” I ask, pulling her a little closer. I need the comfort as much as she does. I need her as close as I can get her. A thousand different scenarios are running through my mind. Is she safe? Are we safe? I have my son to think about too. “You can tell me.” Fuck, at this point, I need her to tell me. It’s no longer a want. I need to know what we’re dealing with here.
She nods. “I used to volunteer at a homeless shelter. Just one night a week, I’d go and help cook and serve meals. There was this mom, Charity, and her little girl, Jasmine. They lived there. They were on the run from Jasmine’s father. He was abusive to both of them, and they had nowhere else to go. I don’t know where they were from—Charity would never talk about it. Anyway, that little girl, she stole my heart. They both did. I thought of Charity as a friend, and Jasmine, she was a perfect example of innocence. She was just happy to have a hot meal and a place to lay her head at night. It breaks my heart still today to think about what they went through to get out. To get to a place where they were safe. One night, she drew me a picture. It was of me, her, and her mom at the park. We’d gone there the week before.” She pauses and takes another sip of water. “She was so proud of the picture, and I promised her I would put it on my fridge as soon as I got home.”