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“Okay, let me get you something. Sit here, and while you’re eating I’ll run and get Anthony. He’ll probably tackle you the minute he sees you’re out of your room.”
I stand up and head toward the kitchen. But there’s so much left unspoken between us, and I know we have a lot more to talk about before I can start to relax. But fuck me, look how far we’ve just come.
14
* * *
I call my mother and both of my sisters while Dean is out getting Anthony. My mom apparently knows Dean is here and is thrilled. In a singsong voice, she says, “I told you this wasn’t about revenge.” I just roll my eyes and don’t say anything because I’m not ready for that conversation. We talk for a few more minutes before she and Rabea are off to play the slots.
I can’t reach Lilly. She's so hard to get in touch with these days, but I know she will call me back when she gets my message. Addie and I talk for a few minutes, but she's busy preparing for a hearing the next day, so it’s a short conversation.
“Mommy!” Anthony’s scream cuts through the silence I’ve been sitting in while I waited for Dean to get back with him.
I stand up and brace myself to catch him as he throws himself into my arms. He climbs up my body and wraps his legs around my waist and his arms around my neck. I wrap my arms around him and caress his head.
“Oh, baby. I’ve missed you.” I breathe into his neck.
“Me, too, Mommy,” he whispers back into mine.
And everything is right in my world. This child is the reason I’ll never regret a single decision I’ve made. Because I couldn’t imagine my life without him.
I put him down and look down at his beautiful little face. “How was your day, honey?”
“It was okay. I’m hungry though. Can I get a snack?” And he takes off before I can respond. I watch him run down the hall and disappear into the kitchen.
I look up to find Dean watching us from the door. He’s smiling at me, but his eyes look a little sad.
“Hey, thanks for getting him.” I walk over toward him.
“No problem. But that carpool lane is ridiculous. Anyone could drive away with him.” He looks at the hallway Anthony just ran down and smiles.
“Not really. He wouldn’t get in the car with just anyone,” I tell him. “You guys spent a couple of days together over the weekend before school started, you dropped him off this morning. He knows who you are.
He tips his head and looks at me like he just remembered something and then looks away to hide the expression. My curiosity peaks.
“What?” I touch his arm and he looks down at my hand. He’s wearing a thin gray Henley and I can feel the strength in his arms, the heat of his skin. I love the way it feels to have my hands on him. When he just keeps staring at my hand on his sleeve, I prompt him again, “Dean, what?”
He looks up at me and the expression on his face is so serious I wonder if I even want to know.
“It’s maybe nothing. I don’t know.” He sounds so unsure, so unlike Dean, I move my hand from his arm to his shoulder and step closer to him. His eyes follow the movement of my hand and then come back to rest on my face.
“Don’t ever stop touching me,” he says, his voice hoarse, his eyes intent.
“I don’t want to stop,” I respond honestly.
Anthony comes darting back into the living room just then, holding my phone.
“Mommy, your phone is ringing. It says Isaiah’s mom,” he shouts as he skids to stop in front of me.
Isaiah is his friend from school and soccer, and his mother, Laila, and I have become friendly, too. I take the phone from him.
“Thank you, honey. Dean, I’ve got to take this,” I say before I walk to the kitchen.
Laila’s voice floats into my ear as soon as I pick up.
“Milly! I’ve heard some hunk picked Anthony up from school today,” she says before I can say hello. I burst into laughter. I can only imagine the gossip mill at school.
“Well, hello to you, too, Laila. I’m fine, thanks. Just have the flu,” I say back dryly.
