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I remember being in his shoes—when I finally escaped hell—and learning that when you weren’t always in a state of distress, life was actually kind of boring. As it is for him, I found it difficult to adjust.
My phone buzzes on the desk and I hold up a finger, letting him know we’ll get back to this conversation in a minute.
Dempsey: It’s not my best work but I hope you like it.
I open the picture he’s attached and find my nephew staring back at me. He’s cheesing for the camera and has a chocolate milk mustache. In the illustration, you don’t see the heartache and pain he’s gone through. All you see is pure joy—the kind a child should have at his age.
It’s beautiful.
My eyes burn and a lump forms in my throat. I knew Dempsey was artistic, but the level of skill he possesses is unreal. He didn’t just draw my nephew. He took a perfect moment and transformed it into something everlasting. Something special and wonderful.
Me: Wow. I have no words. This is phenomenal. Thank you.
He sends me several smirking emojis that make me chuckle. I show Kaden and his eyes bug out of his head.
“Dempsey drew that?”
“Yeah. He’s pretty amazing.” I grin and look down to see he’s texted me again.
Dempsey: You and Cayden should come over for dinner tonight. Mom likes seeing you and I could teach him to play pool. Might be fun.
Me: Kaden is how you spell it. I’ll ask him.
My stomach twists in an unnatural way and I wonder if I’m getting sick. Probably all the stupid sludge coffee I have to drink when I don’t have time to pop into Park Peak Brew.
“He wants to know if we want to come over for dinner tonight and—”
“Hell yeah!” Kaden hollers, jumping up from his seat before I can finish my statement.
I laugh at his antics, ignoring a few sour glares from some of the older officers at our precinct. It may not be cool to bring your nephew to work, but I did get Tanaka to authorize it. They can kiss my ass if they have an issue with it.
“Who wants to earn a king-sized Snickers?” Tara asks as she shuffles over to my desk. “I have some files that need putting away ASAP or they’re going to topple over and bury me in my chair one day.”
Kaden, who loves food and anything to take away the boredom, nods eagerly at Tara. I give her a thankful smile.
As my nephew walks away with her, I try my sister for the millionth time.
No answer.
Surprise, surprise.
“Holy shit,” Kaden says, whistling. “These people are loaded.”
“Don’t say shit,” I grumble. “And please be on your best behavior. Dempsey’s dad can be a bit of a dick sometimes.”
Kaden frowns and I hate that I’ve taken away his excitement. He of all people knows about being around a dickhead. Lenny is the absolute worst.
“Come on. Jamie’s a way better cook than I am. She’ll fatten you up like a tick.”
Kaden laughs as he climbs out of my car. “Anyone is a better cook than you, Aunt Sloane. Your specialty is frozen lasagna and pizza rolls.”
“They’re good, though, am I right?”
He cracks up laughing again. I know he agrees. The kid was catching a ride with his drunk neighbors just to be able to eat. Store-bought lasagna and pizza rolls are probably heaven to him.
I ruffle his blond hair and we walk up to the front door. My knock is sharp and no-nonsense, making me cringe. I even knock on doors like a cop.
Thankfully, it’s not Nathan who answers but my best friend.
