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“Yeah. Yeah, I’m here.”
“We’ll see you soon.”
My heart sinks as soon as the call is over. I suddenly feel a heaviness settling on my shoulders as I clomp toward the kitchen. But my feet halt halfway at the sight before me.
Rose has turned off the stove, and she and Alex are nibbling grapes from a bowl. Rose is saying something when her hand brushes Alex’s hair off his forehead. Their discussion continues without either of them missing a beat, as if this is something they’ve done all their lives.
I know that after seeing Rose’s scars, Alex has bonded with her. Maybe deeper than any other bond he could possibly form right now.
I’m about to tell them about our soon-arriving guests when they both turn toward me.
“Zander, we’re hungry. Aren’t we, Alex?”
A smile lights Alex’s face as he nods. I can’t fucking believe he’s the same kid from yesterday. The words that are ready to slip out of my mouth stop in my throat. I want him to have this happiness for a little longer before I rob him of it.
* * *
After we polish off our breakfast, I know I can’t hold off anymore. We’ll soon have the headmistress at our doorstep, along with the police officer.
“Alex, do you remember Officer Cole?”
Upon hearing my question, the wide smile that was etched on his face slips. His hands slide from where they were playing with the fork, and he tucks them behind his elbows.
My fists tighten around the counter as Rose’s hand slides toward the cuff of her shirt.
We all knew this was just for a night, Zander. Don’t overthink.
“Officer Cole is coming with the headmistress from your home. She’ll be here to pick you up soon. Why don’t you get ready?” I blurt it out in a rush as helplessness courses through my body. I haven’t felt like this in a long time, but my jaw clenches to a point of hurt as Alex mechanically gets up from the breakfast bar and heads up the staircase.
“Zander, he isn’t happy there,” Rose whispers as soon as he’s out of earshot.
“We can’t do much, couch girl. We’re lucky Officer Cole let him come with us last night.” I look away from her face, but she grabs my hand, and her serious gaze meets mine, stopping me in my tracks.
“But he likes it here.” She stresses each word.
Before I can think more about what she’s trying to tell me, the doorbell rings. I get up from my chair and press a kiss on Rose’s forehead before going to open the door.
Officer Cole greets me with an older-looking woman who’s wearing a simple floral-printed skirt, a white blouse, and a black cardigan. She fixes her glasses before her astute gaze meets mine.
“Mr. Teager, meet Ms. Dorothy Day. She’s the headmistress at Alex’s group home.”
“I’m so thankful to you and your wife for bringing the boy to the hospital and taking him in for the night.” Ms. Day shakes my hand before I lead them into the living room.
“It was no problem at all. We’re happy we could help,” I say when Rose joins us, and we all take our seats.
“He’s a very sad and lonely child.” The headmistress’s words don’t help the helplessness growing within me. “Did he give you any trouble?”
“No, not at all,” Rose quickly responds. “We had lots of fun with him until—”
“He spoke to you?” Ms. Day interrupts as her eyebrows rise in surprise.
I nod, but before we can explain more, our conversation halts as Alex’s soft feet hit the landing on the stairs. He stops at the last step and then stays there.
“Alexander. Why don’t you join us and thank Mr. and Mrs. Teager for last night?” Ms. Day says.
Alex doesn’t move, but his gaze shoots at us—Rose and me. It’s as if someone just stabbed me with a thousand knives. He has transformed into the same shy, lonely kid from last night. The spark in his eyes from this morning is long gone.
Rose’s hand clutches mine. Her fingernails dig into my skin as we watch her new friend slipping away.
