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“That would be refreshing.” Chloe set the mug in front of the woman.
“A simple apology goes a long way in clearing these things up. And possibly a new rose bush.”
“If only it were that easy.” Chloe sat down with her own mug chock full of sugar and cream. “But if that would help I’d be happy to do all of the above.”
“Good.” The officer took a sip of the black coffee with a sigh. “All right, let’s start at the beginning.”
Three hours later Chloe had spewed out her entire history to the officer and signed her life away in a report. They’d been interrupted a half dozen times by the officer’s partner as well as various communications with the radio on her shoulder.
They managed to get the reporters off her lawn, and even off the street thanks to a bullhorn. And while Chloe was eternally grateful for the empty street, her son didn’t take too kindly to the racket.
After she got the officer out of her house, she got to spend the next two hours curled into a car bed with her son because he didn’t want to sleep in mommy’s big bed. A blink later her alarm was bleating out of her phone.
She dragged herself to the shower so she was at felt like a human. She got ready for the lunch shift at the bar which meant she had to be there for ten to get the place ready. She checked on her son before she left, but Axl slept blissfully on. She found her father on the couch with Lori when she got to the bottom of the stairs.
“Dad, you’re still here.”
“Yeah, I wasn’t sure if you’d need me today.”
An unwelcome flood of guilt washed over her, along with a healthy dose of relief. She was starting to get used to relying on her father. Truly it was the only way she’d been able to raise Axl on her own. He may not have been an incredible father to her, but he was a damn fine grandfather.
“And I came over as I usually do.” Lori smiled. “Rough night last night, huh?”
“Rough doesn’t even cover it.”
“Well, I’m taking Shelby and Axl to the park today. Get them away from the reporters.”
Chloe groaned. “No way.” She crossed to the window. Sure enough three vans were back. “How? Didn’t they say they were going to patrol?”
“I couldn’t tell you.” Lori squeezed her hand. “So, don’t worry about the kids today. I’m going to take them over to my sister’s to swim too.”
“You’re a blessing I don’t deserve, woman.”
Lori gave her a quick hug. “We stick together.”
“Yeah.” Chloe battled back the sting of tears. “I appreciate it.”
“Let me take you into work today.”
Chloe turned around. “Oh, Dad. You don’t need to do that. I know you have to work.”
He shrugged. “A few minutes won’t make a difference. And saves you a bus ride.”
And today, she’d take it. She was pretty sure if she got on the bus, it might lull her to sleep. With the extra time, she took the time to get Axl up and dressed for the day.
She sat him in the middle of his bed and pulled out his suit and water wings. He waved one at her with Dory showing. “Mama? Swim?”
“No, bud. I wish. Mama has to work.”
He sighed as he tried to pull on the swimmie. “Work sucks.”
Chloe winced. “We don’t say suck.”
“Sucks.” Frustration laced his voice when he couldn’t get it over his elbow.
She sat on the edge of his bed and pulled it off. “Later.”
“Now!” His face got red.
