ETHAN
“Dad, do you think penguins have knees?” Laz looked at me as we sat on a park bench. His voice was so soft I had to lean in to hear him.
“Uh, I guess I don’t actually know. I’m sure they do.”
He nodded. He hadn’t been talking much. It was killing me. I had a meeting with his preschool today about the bullying, and had half a notion to find these kids’ parents and end their lives.
But I held back, telling myself it would be a last resort.
I pulled my phone out and looked to see if penguins had knees. Now I needed to know.
“Penguins do have knees,” I said.
He said nothing as he stared out at the pigeons.
“Hey, Laz?”
He looked over at me.
“Why don’t you want to talk to me? You’re so quiet lately. It’s OK to talk.”
He looked down at his hands. “I sound funny.”
“You sound perfect,” I said gently. “Anyone who says differently is just being mean to be mean. They’re not good people.”
He frowned, looking at me. “Why do I have ugly red cuts on me? They won’t go away. I wash them.”
I closed my eyes. I didn’t want to answer this question.
“Because the devil tried to take you away, but we saved you.”
His frown deepened. “Where’s my mommy?”
“She’s gone, bud. She died.”
He looked away from me and focused on the birds again.
“Do you miss her?”
I swallowed. “No.”
“Do you think she misses me in heaven?”
Fuck. That bitch would have never made it to heaven.
“Laz, I think she knows I’m taking care of you with your other dads and that she doesn’t need to miss you.”
“Will I ever get a new mommy?”
My mind flashed to Rosalie.
Hell, she’d be the perfect mom. And Laz would have a sister to care for. I didn’t know Ellis well, but what I did know told me she’d never allow Laz to be quiet. She’d push him out of his shell.
“Maybe someday,” I murmured.
“Dad?”
“Yeah?”
