Page 103 of Dandelions and Smoke

“He doesn’t,” she screams, a sob wracking through her as she clutches her chest like my words are a blow and it physically hurts.

Slowly, I move closer, not enough for her to notice, but not yet close enough to save her.

“If you knew the things that go through my mind…” she whispers. “If anyone knew…” Her breathing hitches. “They would’ve taken him away from me much sooner.”

Her words send a chill down my spine, and the tears I’ve been holding back spill down my face.

“He’s happy with you,” she says, forcing a broken smile. “He’ll be happy with you. I’ve always been jealous of the way that it’s so easy for you to just… love him.”

“He’s our boy,” I tell her, shaking my head, knowing I’m losing her. Knowing she’s only a few feet in front of me, but that she’s already gone.

“I know. I know how much you love him.” Her voice cracks. “I loved him too.”

Loved.

I catch her choice of words, and I know there’s not much time left to change her mind.

“You still can.”

She doesn’t respond.

“I know you can. Please, Jay. Let me help you.” I risk another step forward, but stop. The years of our life together flash through my mind. From being kids in love, convinced we had everything figured out, to a marriage that fell apart before we ever had a prayer. I don’t know this woman in front of me, but once upon a time, I knew her better than anyone. “Please.”

“I wanted…” She stops herself. “I wanted someone to realize something was wrong without me having to say it. I wanted help before. I don’t think I can be helped anymore.” Her gaze drifts back to the water before returning to me. “Do you think our little girl will have my laugh? I’ve forgotten what it sounds like.”

Her words hit harder than any scream ever could.

My heart drops into my stomach. She’s so close to the edge, and the distance between us feels as though it’s impossible to close.

“Jasenia…” My voice comes out rougher than I intend. I take a slow step toward her, carefully, even though every part of me wants to run to her and pull her to safety.

Her gaze shoots behind me, narrowing quickly.

“Something’s wrong with Scout,” Rory yells, panting as she pushes her way past the officers and their cars to get to me. “He wouldn’t stop crying, so I gave him some grapes to eat, and I-I don’t know what happened.”

“What?” Jasenia’s voice cuts over my own questions. “He’s too little for grapes. He could choke.”

Jasenia’s gaze snaps toward where she left him in the car, but he and Levi are gone.

“Where is he?” I ask, panic surging through me so violently it feels like it’s swallowing me whole.

“With the ambulance. This way.” She grabs my hand before I can ask anything else and pulls me forward.

I follow after her, weaving between the cars until the ambulance comes into view. Levi is sitting inside, and lying flat on the bed beside him is Scout.

Rory stops so suddenly I nearly run into her. She turns, looking past me, and the panic that had consumed her fades. Relief washes over her before I even understand why.

Then Jasenia pushes past us and rushes to the ambulance.

“Scout?” she cries, her voice breaking as relief floods across her face.

“He’s fine,” Rory says softly.

Jasenia checks Scout over, confirming it for herself.

“But you said he was choking.” Her brows pinch together as she looks at Rory for an explanation.

“I didn’t, but you knew there was a possibility he might need help, that he might need you,” Rory explains through silent tears. “And here you are.”