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Everyone around me seems to be taking this better than I am. I’ve left one prison, entered another, and now I’m on lockdown, with yet another threat hanging over my head. I should just wear a target and say, “Catch me if you can, assholes.”
“Okay, we’ll be back to see you tomorrow. If you need anything, just let us know.” My mom stands up and leans over my bed to hug and kiss me.
I missed my mom’s hugs. She gives the best warm cuddles ever. It didn’t matter why I was upset when I was growing up; a few minutes in my mom’s arms and I felt weightless.
“Take care of each other.”
“We will.” My mom turns to Clay. “Take care of my girl.”
Clay leans down and kisses my mom’s cheek. “No need to ask me such a thing, Mhairi.”
It’s touching to see the relationship Clay has built with my family since I’ve been away. Clay only met my parents twice when I was around. This bond has come from my absence. Their grief.
Once the last person exits my room, Clay turns to me. He stands a few feet away from the bed and lowers his backpack from his back. I didn’t notice it before.
“How are you feeling?”
I shrug. “Bored. Useless.”
“You’re not useless, babe. This tunnel has a light at the end of it.”
“Come and lie with me. Everyone has given me a headache.”
I move over the bed as best I can, and Clay kicks off his shoes. He lowers himself beside me and wraps his arms around me. I feel safe in Clay’s arms. That has never changed, and I doubt it ever will.
“I missed you when you went home,” I say.
“I missed you too. I never want to spend one moment without you… ever.”
“We’ll be okay, won’t we?”
“You have Chicago’s best security team on your side. Of course we’ll be okay. Get some sleep. I’ll be right here when you wake up.”
I snuggle my head into Clay’s shoulder, smelling his masculine aftershave. The same aftershave I loved years ago. I’m happy that some things have remained unchanged.
