AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She smiles, and I wonder how real it is. How many times has she smiled at parents, trying to reassure them everything will be fine? Never in a million years did I ever think I’d be in this position, and part of me can’t quite believe it now.
Louis better keep his word. I don’t care what he has to do or who he has to hurt, as long as he brings my boy home. This is worse than when I was in prison. At least I knew he was with my mother. Oh, God, she doesn’t know yet.
“Have you contacted Thomas’s father? If not, it’s something we can do on your behalf if you’d prefer?”
Shaking my head, I explain, “He died last year.”
I’m surprised they don’t already know since the principal said he had filled the police in on our history.
“I’m sorry.”
Again, is her sympathy real? How could it be? How could she do her job day in and day out if she felt everything? Surely it would drown her, plague her nightmares with darkness. I know I couldn’t do her job.
“Tea’s ready,” is shouted up the stairs, and I place the teddy back by the pillow.
“You go on down, and I’ll join you in a moment.”
I cross the room, but stop before I step out into the hallway.
“If you’re looking for something to show that Thomas was in danger here, you’re wasting your time.”
“Miss Hemingway—”
I don’t wait around to hear what crap she comes out with and go downstairs to drink my damn tea.
I can’t taste it. It’s neither hot nor cold, and it’s the last thing I want to be doing. I want to throw it at the wall, scream, and pace the room, but what’s the point? I’d only have to clean it up and deal with the broken cup. Closing my eyes, I picture Louis bringing Thomas home, and then telling me how he squeezed the life out of the man who took him. I want details—every morbid, horrific detail. I want to hear how he begged for his life as Louis ripped him apart. There aren’t any boundaries I wouldn’t cross for Thomas, especially when someone brings harm his way.
The doorbell rings. I jump up to answer it, but one of the officers gets to the door before me.
“Hi, I’m here to see Evie.”
“And you are?”
“I’m her family.”
Olivia barges past the officer and offers me one of those pitiful smiles before wrapping me in her arms. It feels nice to have someone to hold, that knows what’s really going on.
“I’m so sorry, sweetheart.”
“Have you heard anything?” I whisper in her ear.
“No.”
We pull apart, and I show her into the living room.
“How are you holding up?” she asks. Sitting beside me on the couch, she squeezes my hands in hers. Having her here makes me feel just a little bit better. Maybe Chaos will call her before Louis returns.
“I don’t know what I’m doing, but I need him home,” I say as a sob escapes me.
“He’ll be running through the door before you know it, I promise. You’ll be bathing him, cooking his dinner, and reading him his bedtime story. Soon, this nightmare will be behind you.” At my nod, she asks, “What is his favourite story?”
I see what she’s doing. She’s trying to keep me distracted, and for the sake of my sanity, I play along. The officers sit by quietly, being absolutely useless. They’re meant to be updating me, but they’re not on their phones, and no one else is showing up at the house, proving that I was right to believe in Louis. God, I hope I’m right. I couldn’t live with myself if I’m not.
