Page 68 of Tanner

“I brought food,” Miles said.

Tanner looked at the bag, then back at him. “You didn’t have to.”

“I know.”

From the living room Savannah called, “Who is it?”

Miles’ eyes flicked past Tanner toward the sound, then back. He didn’t try to step forward. He didn’t make any assumptions.

Tanner moved aside. “Come in.”

Miles stepped through and shut the door behind him. His gaze moved over Tanner and Tanner knew he looked rough. He hadn’t slept enough the night before, and whatever the CPS visit had done to him had left a mark.

Miles held up the bag a little. “Thought this might help.”

Tanner took it. “Thanks.”

He carried it through to the kitchen and put it on the table. Miles followed at an easy distance. Savannah also followed, giving Miles a small smile.

“Hi, Savannah,” Miles said.

She blinked at him, then looked at Tanner.

“It’s okay,” Tanner said quietly.

Tanner unpacked the food while Miles found plates without asking where they were. That should have felt too familiar, but it didn’t. It just felt helpful, and Tanner was too tired to fight that.

“You want me to fix her a plate?” Miles asked.

Tanner glanced at him. “You don’t have to.”

Miles gave him a look not that different from the one he’d given him the night before pizza. “I know.”

Tanner handed him the smaller plate.

Miles put a plate in front of Savannah, who now sat at the kitchen table. “Careful. It’s warm.”

Savannah looked at the food, then at him. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

She didn’t move closer to him, but she didn’t pull away either. She picked up her fork and started eating, sneaking little glances at Miles every now and then.

Tanner noticed all of it.

He sat at the table with his own food while Miles took the chair opposite. For a while the room stayed quiet except for Savannah’s cartoon from the living room and the scrape of forks against plates.

Miles looked at him. “You alright?”

“CPS came by today.”

Miles paused. “What happened?”

Tanner told him the basics. Miles didn’t interrupt him. When Tanner finished, Miles put his fork down. “They say they’re coming back?”

“Yeah.”

Tanner looked down at his plate. “They said they’re not removing her today.” The last word caught harsher than he meant it to. “Today.”