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I look over at my parents. They love her as much as they would love a grandchild of their blood. They include her in everything important and I know they would, even if Cam and I got together but didn’t stay that way.
N: Trust me; my parents are having a ball with her.
C: I know; they’re good people. I’ll see y’all later; we’re getting called out.
N: Be safe, Cam.
C: Always.
The reality of my brother getting hurt in the field has made me extra fearful of what’s possible. Before, I didn’t think about it as much. Men like Gauge and Cam have always run to danger and not away from it. While I always realized it was a very real possibility, it wasn't much of a concern until it hit me right in the face. Now, I have two of them to worry about and it’s a prayer I speak every day when they’re out taking care of everyone else.
“Natalie, let’s eat!”
My mom could yell loud enough for the entire city of Bradford to hear. A retired elementary school teacher, she kept her class in control with a snap or point of her finger. She did the same thing at home and we hardly ever were out of pocket.
“Coming.” Running up to the back porch, I grab hold of Trinity, scooping her up and twirling her around. “You ready to eat?”
“Starving.” She giggles.
“Me too; let’s go wash our hands.”
Walking into the house with her, it’s easy to think she’s mine. I’ve been watching her since Cameron and her mom separated and she’s come to mean a great deal to me. There are days when the line blurs between what’s real and imaginary.
I can’t help but think of what I would do if she was my daughter. How I would never let her live without a mother. How I hope she knows how much I love her and cherish our time together. That no matter what, I’ll always be there for her. Someone else may have given up on her, but I never will.
“This bathroom is small,” Trin says as we crowd into each other, washing our hands.
“Yeah, it is. Try being in here with Gauge in the morning, getting ready. He used to take a shower in the morning and he refused to get up early. So he’d be in there taking a shower and I’d be here at the sink putting my makeup on or fixing my hair. Then he’d yell at me to leave and I’d refuse because I wasn’t done yet. More than once, he came out of the shower on me.”
“Nat?” Her voice is scandalized. “Did he take a shower like everybody else does?”
“Yeah Trin, he was naked. It was awful and we dealt with it for years together. I hated him. You’re lucky you’re an only child.”
“Sometimes I wish I had a sibling.” Her bottom lip comes out. “Everybody at school talks about how their brothers and sisters are annoying, but I would love to have one. Maybe one day Dad can meet someone and I can be a big sister.”
“Maybe he will, Trin. Maybe he will.”
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Cameron
Red,blue, and white lights reverberate off the darkness of the tree-covered lane. If it weren’t for the smoking, overturned SUV and articles of clothing strewn about, it would be almost serene.
But that’s the last thing we’re dealing with right now.
“What do you need?” I ask Chance as I approach.
“The driver is drunk as fuck; the older kids are restraining him.” He points over to where I see a couple of what appear to be pre-teens holding a grown man back.
“Oh my God, what have I done? What have I done? She’s my baby!”
I’m not sure what the fuck is going on here, but I do know we’ve got to check the scene and, as soon as everything checks out, I’ll be finding out. “Danny, check where that smoke is coming from. Is there anyone else in this vehicle?” I ask the pre-teens.
“No, we’re all out,” what looks to be the oldest says. “How’s our sister?”
I glance over to where Chance has the little girl on a gurney, working on her. Immediately, I can tell it’s not going well. Chance is by himself and, judging by the look on his face, he needs help. “Let me go check on her.”
“What do you need?” I ask him again.
