Page 96 of 4 Corinthians

“Get out of here,” I said, laughing and waving him off. Judah was a typical boy obsessed with everything that I considered disgusting. Raising a boy was hard, but worth it. I picked up the bowl of popcorn I’d brought into the living room and waved him over to his side of the couch, even though I knew by the middle of the movie he would be sitting on my back.

Judah picked up the remote and turned on the TV. “I think we should watch something scary,” he said as he went to the movie apps. “Krude told me about Final Destination.”

“I thought I told you to stop talking to Krude,” I asked him as I ate a few pieces of popcorn. “And why the hell is he telling you about that movie like he doesn’t keep Disney movies on rotation at his house?”

“He watches both,” Judah replied. He glanced at me and smirked. “He said that he has a balance. For every scary movie he watches, he watches a funny movie.” He shrugged, then turned back to the TV. “We watched Jason the other day.”

“Is that why you ended up in here with me on the couch?” I asked him, and he nodded. I reached over, took the remote from his hand, and shook my head. “Then that means you will be watching something funny instead of scary. Think fast, or we will be watching something with singing.”

“No!” he quickly said, jumping up and blocking the TV. The last time it was my turn to pick, we watched Hamilton. Judah hated it. “Let me think.” His mouth twisted to the side, and I playfully rolled my eyes. “How about an old movie? One from when you were a kid.”

“Like what?”

“Toy Soldier?” he asked.

I hated to admit it, but he’d picked a good one. I loved Toy Soldier. As a kid, we always watched it. “Deal,” I said after a few moments. Judah climbed back onto the couch, took the popcorn from my lap, and set it between us. “You picked a good one, kid.” I leaned over, kissed the side of his head, then sat back.

I found the movie, turned it on, then pulled my blanket up to my chin and relaxed in my seat. Judah jumped up, turned the lights off, then moved around the couch to the wall near me and tapped the runner lights that lined the floors. The room was dark, but not so much that I was uncomfortable. Judah didn’t know I didn’t like being in the dark, but I knew he would eventually notice that our house was never completely dark. There was always a light on in whatever room I was in.

By the middle of the movie, I’d readjusted my seat, lay across the couch, and Judah climbed onto my back as we watched. My phone buzzed, and I looked down to see a text from an unsaved number. My heart pounded at the sight of the number. I didn’t give out my phone number. The only people who had my personal number were my family. I had a business phone, but that was on the dining room table. Movie night with Judah was a no-work time. I didn’t even think about that phone when I was with him.

I didn’t have friends; the last time I trusted someone was Melissa, and I hadn’t seen her since the night of my assault. When I finally got myself together, I went back to look for her, only to find that her apartment was empty, with no forwarding address, and that she’d quit her job. All her social media was gone too.

My phone buzzed again, pulling me out of my thoughts, and I looked down at the screen.

816-555-5555: Hey

816-555-5555: You busy?

Me: Who is this?

816-555-5555: Four, Cross gave me your number. I hope that’s okay.

I exited our text thread and found Cross’ thread.

Me: You gave my number out?

Cross: To Four; he said he wanted to ask you about setting up an appointment to get his hair cut.

Cross: I think he’s lying, but I gave it to him anyway.

Me: Why?

Cross: Because I have eyes. To be strangers, you have undeniable chemistry.

Me: You sound like Krude.

Cross: I’ve been called worse lol.

I exited our thread and went back to the one with Uri.

816-555-5555: You left, didn’t you?

Me: I’m here.

I paused and saved his number in my phone.

Uri: How was your day?