Page 120 of Savage Heart

“Open it,” she says, when I pause.

I let out a hiccupy laugh and pull out the softest blanket I’ve ever seen. “Oh, I love this. It feels so good!”

“There’s one more thing in there,” she says, smiling.

An elephant with floppy, soft ears is at the bottom of the bag. I pick it up and hug it to my chest.

“I love him. Thank you.”

She stays for an hour or so, and it turns my whole day around. Heals just a little bit of my sadness.

We hug at the door, and she kisses Linc’s forehead before walking out.

After that visit, she comes to see Linc and me at least once a month. When Linc is old enough to start talking, he calls her Evy. It’s a secret the three of us keep.

Just another lie between us.

Chapter 31: Pomp and Circumstance

Iris

A few nights later, I tell Linc I’m going to spend a little time with Maverick. He grins.

“You’ve got a boyfriend,” he sings.

I poke his side, tickling him. He yelps and tries to do the same to me, but I’m too fast.

“You’ll be okay here?”

“Of course, Mom. I’m twelve,” he says, like duh.

“I know, I know.”

“It’s not like I never stay here alone.”

“I know,” I groan. “I just like to always make sure. You’re still my baby.”

Now he groans, and we both laugh.

“I won’t be too late.” I kiss his cheek.

“I’m going to bed,” he says. “And Otis is right here . . . and it’s Ironwood, for crying out loud.”

“All right, all right. Goodness. Let a mother worry about her child, why don’t you?”

“I’m about to be a teenager,” he says, grinning.

I shake my head. “No. It’s not possible.” I sigh. “Tomorrow let’s talk about what you want to do for your birthday.”

“Okay. Hey, Mom. There’s this thing at the game on Friday night. For Dad. I want to go.”

I swallow hard. I haven’t been sure whether we should go or not. I don’t want anyone saying anything awful to Linc, and I can’t be sure that they won’t.

“Okay.” I nod. “I just worry that if people see me there, it could be—”

“Yeah,” he says softly. “But we deserve to be there as much as anybody.”

I wrap my arms around him, hugging him tight. “You’re right. You most of all.”