AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“This is Miles. Miles Bridger.” Sadie reaches toward me and I take her hand. “Miles, this is my mom, Brenda Hopkins.”
“It’s a pleasure, Ms. Hopkins.” I hold out my other hand.
She takes it and smiles. “It’s Brenda. Everyone calls me Brenda. I could never pull off Mrs. or Ms.”
“Brenda it is then.”
The little dog—looks like he’s a cross between a schnauzer and a Yorkie—struts back out.
“And who’s this?” I kneel and give the dog a pet on the head.
“That’s Princess. And she is a princess for sure. Now that you’ve given her love, she won’t leave you alone.”
“That’s okay. I love animals. Good thing, since I find myself living on a ranch.”
“Oh, you’re a rancher?” Brenda asks.
“Sort of.”
“It’s a long story, Ma.” Sadie leads me into the small living area inside the trailer. “We need to sit down.”
“Of course. Please do. I’m afraid I was planning to go to the market tomorrow after work. I don’t have anything to offer you other than water.”
“That would be great.” I smile.
“Coming right up.” She scurries the few steps into her kitchen.
“You okay?” I ask Sadie.
“Yeah. Not like I have much of a choice.”
“There’s always a choice, baby,” I tell her, “but you’re strong. You can do this. And I’m right here with you.”
Brenda returns with two glasses of water and hands us each one. She takes a seat in a chair opposite the loveseat where Sadie and I are sitting. Those two pieces encompass all the furniture in the small living area.
Brenda wipes her hand over her forehead. “To what do I owe the pleasure of seeing you both today?”
Sadie clears his throat. “It’s about Joey.”
Brenda gasps, clasps her hand to her heart, her eyes wide. “Oh my God. Has he been found?”
There’s no mistaking the hope in her pretty brown eyes. Sadie looks down at her lap, clearly upset that she didn't choose her words better.
“Not exactly,” Sadie says. “Not the way you mean.”
Brenda frowns. “What are you trying to say, Sadie?”
Sadie turns to me, her eyes glistening. But she won’t cry. Already I know she won’t. She’ll be strong for her mother. For herself.
“Miles, could you…”
“You sure?”
Sadie nods.
“The two of you are freaking me out here.” Brenda flickers her gaze between us.
I take a sip of my water to soothe my parched throat. “Brenda, I’m so sorry to let you know, but your son’s body has been found.”
