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“Where are you?” I ask, standing quickly and pulling my jacket from the back of the chair. Rome stands as well, apologizing to Brandon and Mason. Brandon shoos us away and I head to the door, walking quickly to Rome’s car.
“That p-place you took me. Your friend here c-c-called.”
“I’ll be there in bit. Give me ten minutes. Put Dave on.”
“Hey, Benji,” Dave says brightly.
“Can you get him food? Whatever he wants. I’ll pay when we get there.”
“Already done and it’s on the house.”
I sigh, leaning back against the seat as Rome drives as quickly as he can without breaking the law. “Thanks, Dave. I appreciate it. More than you know.”
“I know what it’s like, man. I’ll always help kids like him. I don’t think he’ll leave before you get here, but I’ll keep a close eye on him.”
I hang up and squeeze my eyes shut, wondering what I’ll find when I see Tanner. I’m glad I took him to Dave’s restaurant to eat that day when I could have easily taken him somewhere else.
Rome grips my hand and I open my eyes to look at him. “It’ll be okay,” he tells me. “He called you. That means you can help him.”
Nodding since words seem to have failed me, I hold tight to him, hoping that Tanner doesn’t run again. He said he needed help, so I’m hoping that is enough to keep him in place.
We pull up to the bistro about ten minutes later and Rome lets me out at the curb so he can find a place to park. Darting inside, my eyes land on Tanner, sitting behind the counter on a stool, looking small and afraid.
Fighting back a sob, I walk around the counter and take his face gently in my hands. “You okay, little alpha?”
He shrugs. “Someone stole my b-b-bag. I don’t have anything. No c-c-c-clothes, nothing.”
I let out a sigh and nod. “Okay. What else are you missing? Have you eaten? Where were you staying? What do you need?” I know I’m bombarding him with questions, but I can’t help it. I need to know everything. I want to make sure I can help him with what he needs.
“Just c-clothes. I keep my ph-ph-phone with m-m-m-me. I ate what your fr-fr-friend gave me. I can’t p-p-p-pay.”
“Don’t worry,” Dave answers from the other end of the counter. “It’s taken care of.” He grins at Tanner, who gives him a small smile.
Turning back to me, Tanner says, “I was staying under the br-bridge.”
My eyebrows dip, even though I try to school my expression. While Fair Falls is a nice city, just like everywhere, it has its place where the unhoused congregate. There isn’t much crime, but there are people on drugs that call the bridge home. It’s no place for a child.
That’s the main reason I didn’t go look there to find Tanner. I didn’t think a child would find that area and live among people willing to do anything to survive or get their next fix.
Despite the anger bubbling in my gut at his situation, I smile and hope he can read how genuinely happy I am to see him. “I’m glad you came here. I’m glad you’re letting me help.”
Tentatively, I ask, “Do you want to come stay with me? Just for a bit, until we figure things out?” I rush to add not want to pressure him.
After a brief moment, Tanner nods and I let out a pent up breath.
The bell above the door rings and I turn to see Rome. He walks over but doesn’t round the counter. “Tanner?” The child nods, looking at Rome with wide eyes. “Benjamin is my mate. I’m here to help you too if you’ll let me?” He doesn’t push or avert his eyes from Tanner.
After a long moment, Tanner nods, but moves closer to me. I wrap an arm around his shoulder, hoping my touch comforts him, even though we’re all but strangers. “Do you want anything else to eat before we go?” Tanner shakes his head and stands, gluing himself to my side.
“I live a few blocks from here. We can walk or Rome can drive us home. Up to you.”
Tanner looks as if he’s weighing his options. I can tell by the tired look in his eyes that he’s not up for walking. “Can we drive?”
“Of course. Let’s go. Thanks, Dave,” I say over my shoulder as we leave.
We don’t speak as we walk to the car. I’m not sure there’s much to say right now. Tanner looks exhausted, so I’ll let him rest before I try to figure out what to do.
We get settled in the car and Rome points us in the direction of home. It only takes us about five minutes to get there, but when we arrive Tanner is fast asleep. I turn around to gaze at him, hesitant to wake him. He probably hasn’t gotten a good night’s sleep since he ran away. I hate that he felt so unsafe in his own home that he has to run away and I hate that he had nowhere to go here and felt unsafe sleeping on the streets.
