Holding You Close (Ex-Con Duet 4)

“I feel the same way, but neither of us can change the past, Loretta. All we can do is try to make a difference and hope to change the future, our future, for the better.” I grab her hand and squeeze, hoping she knows I mean every single word.

Moments later, Noah comes inside grinning. “Owen’s playing with some of the neighborhood kids. He’s destroying them.”

“I’m glad you’re here, Noah. I kinda need to chat with both of you about something.”

Noah swallows and sits on the other side of me.

Loretta looks back and forth between us. “Brittany’s going to jail once she’s released from the hospital and will wait for a trial.”

“We heard,” Noah speaks up. “She needs to be behind bars.”

Hearing him say this causes a chill to run up my spine, considering he knows what’s in store for her.

“I won’t be charged for anything.” She lets out a relieved breath.

“What about Anthony?” I finally ask. All I can think about is that sweet kid not having any parents, living in a toxic environment with a mother obsessed with seeking revenge.

Loretta lets out a long sigh. “That’s what I need to discuss with you. Child Protective Services contacted me after Brittany explained Elliot and I were Anthony’s biological grandparents. We’re the only relatives he has, considering her parents passed away years ago, and she has no brothers or sisters. They said if we didn’t take him, Anthony would be sent to foster care.”

“No.” I gasp and cover my mouth. I turn to Noah, and he interlocks his fingers with mine.

“Apparently, he had been in a hotel alone, and they were supposed to check out yesterday, but Brittany never showed up. The hotel manager called CPS, and they immediately opened an investigation. Anthony had no idea where his mom was, and he hadn’t eaten since the night before. Poor thing was basically abandoned. After they searched for her, they learned she was hospitalized and would go to jail until she went to trial. When she woke up, she gave them my info, and they called me.”

My thoughts take over, and I can’t stand the thought of this. “Loretta, you can’t let that happen,” I whisper.

“I know. I talked to Elliot and prayed about it. I called them an hour later and told them I’d take him. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I allowed him to be placed in the system. We’d already rejected him so much growing up, and I felt guilty. No telling what kind of damage she’s done to him. It’s almost enough to break me.”

I place my hand over my heart, relieved but also shocked considering what she went through to keep him a secret. “Thank God. You’re doing the right thing.”

“I know. I tried so hard to hide the fact that Gabe had another child, and now I’ll be raising him. Guess that’s karma’s way of getting me back. Funny how it all works out in the end, isn’t it?”

“You’ve always had a huge heart,” Noah confirms. “You’ll give Anthony a good life. Right now, he needs love and stability more than anything.”

I see Loretta trying to hold back her emotions, and as she nods, tears fall down her cheek. “I know Gabe wasn’t perfect. It’s been difficult for me to accept what happened. Deep down, I know you didn’t mean him harm, Noah. I know you didn’t. You were always a good kid. Your parents taught you the difference between right and wrong, and you never had a violent bone in your body. I understand how upset you were with what he was doing because I was just as angry for what he did to Katie when I found out the truth.”

Noah sees the tears streaming more rapidly and grabs some tissues for her. We sit silent, giving Loretta the time she needs to finish what she came to say. As she grows more emotional, I wrap her in a hug. It’s hard to see her like this, considering she’s always so put together and composed. “I’m sorry for not telling y’all the truth as soon as Brittany came to town. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to forgive myself.”

“We forgive you,” I say softly, trying to comfort her. “In a strange way, I understand why you did it. Sometimes it’s easier to pretend something didn’t happen than to acknowledge the truth. I’m kinda guilty of it too.”

When we pull apart, she sucks in a deep, relieved breath. “I guess it’s time to turn over a new leaf. I’m really glad you two found each other again. You deserve to be happy.”

I never thought I’d ever hear her say those words. Ever. But a smile touches my lips because I know she means it. “Thank you. I really appreciate that.”

“I hope that Anthony will get to spend time with Owen, and they’ll know the truth about each other one day. I’m aware they were friends in school, but I think their bond is much deeper than that.”