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“Please, don’t embarrass me. Some kids from my grade are here,” she pleads. “I’m a big rule follower. The odd one out.”
“But I know you know how to make good choices, Soph. You should have called before you left the house. I would have picked you up.”
“You’ve been busy working and hanging out with Emery.” She looks my way with a face full of guilt. “Hey, Emery. I knew you two had something going on.” Now is not to time to focus on Emery.
“You don’t put yourself in these situations so I can have time with your uncle.” A stern, parental-like tone takes me off guard as Emery speaks. “Your well-being and safety trump everything.” I blink, as stunned as my niece.
“I’m always here for you. No matter what, Sophie.” I open the windows as we pull away. “You reek of dope.”
“Yeah, she kept coming over, asking if I wanted a joint or vodka. And her boyfriend’s friend kept trying to give me beer.” My grip tightens on the wheel, and I fight everything to not drive back and throw some punches. But their parents are aware of what these kids are up to and turn a blind eye.Hell, I was drinking with my friends at the lake at sixteen, but never around goddamn preteens.
“Thank you for calling me.”
“You’re not mad?”
“A bit disappointed, but I’m relieved nothing happened to you.” If anyone fucking touched her, it would bemegoing to jail. “Did you plan to drink and smoke?”
“No! I’m not my mother.” She scoffs, offended. “I’m sure I was created at one of these parties. I tagged along because I thought it would be fun to meet new people.” She sighs and looks out the window.
"You’re twelve,” Emery scolds, but a tad of hurt cuts through her voice. “You should be having a sleepover with friends or having a girl’s night in with your mom.”
“Right. A mommy and me girls’ night.” Sophie laughs and my heart drops through my body. “I’m old enough to be alone. My mom would leave me home all night if she knew my uncle wouldn’t chew her out for it.” She huffs, and I glance at Emery who gnaws on her cheek and anxiously picking her nail beds. “I thought older kids might be more mature.” She just wants to fit in. The non-party kids are far and few in this small town and the ones that surround it.
“Age isn’t maturity,” I grit out, turning onto my road.
“Can I stay with you? I don’t want to interrupt your night together.” Emery’s head whips back, and I step in before her unpredictable self goes off on my niece.
“You’re damn right you’re staying at my place.” If there is a guy staying at her house, I’m not dropping Sophie off.
“I wish your cabin had two bedrooms.”
“The pull-out couch isn’t that uncomfortable. And I know you’ll be safe.” My sister isn’t a hands-on parent, but Sophie is usually not involved with the men my sister associates with. I wonder how great my sister’s judgement has been lately if she’s no longer caring where her daughter takes off to. The situation sucks, but my sister would probably flip her shit if I mention Sophie spending more time with me. As if I’m taking her sweet baby away.
“Is it that bad at home?” Emery asks, but it sounds more like she thought out loud.
“No, she’s gone most of the day for work. I know you are busy with work, too, Uncle Ian, but evenings are when she drinks, sits on the couch, and goes on about how hard it is to find me a father who will stay long term.” Her sigh tugs at my heart, and her eyes meet mine in the mirror. “And weekends are usually spent with you.”
We pull up to the cabin, and when she hops out of the truck, I wrap her in a big hug. “Thank you for calling me for help. I’m glad you’re okay.”
“Thank you for always being here for me,” Sophie says as we walk up to my place. “I’m not settling for a guy who treats me any less than you do.”
“You better promise me and yourself that, Chickpea.”She nods and gives Emery a shy smile.
“One more thing.” Emery gets her attention. “You’re a smart girl. I’m proud of you for recognizing that you needed out of the situation.” Who is this woman standing beside me?
“You’re going to make a great dad, Uncle Ian.” Sophie walks inside, closing the door behind her. I don’t know why her statement suddenly chokes me up, but I feel the lump immediately form in my throat. Turning my head from Emery, I take a seat on the front porch swing and try to process this evening. I’d love to be a father someday. I’d love to have an excited child running around this property. Spending their day jumping off the dock, splashing about with laughter, and in the evening, chase lightning bugs in between making s’mores around the fire. But in years to come. Sophie’s home life could be better, but she’s still taken care of. And is Emery even going to come back knowing how badly my niece needs me right now?
“Ian.” She stands in front of me, her hand finding home under my chin, tilting my head up. “You need to step up and take her in.” I blink, wondering if I heard her correctly. “Her mother isn’t even caring what her daughter is up to. You know tonight could have ended a lot differently if Sophie tried to fit in.”
“I don’t have room for her yet. She’s getting older and needs her own privacy.” Sophie comes first over anyone. But God, I want Emery and having Sophie and I as a packaged deal is a lot to ask from a woman who is just now trying to confront her own trauma. Emery holds my gaze, pushing me back onto the chair and straddling me. Her hands hold my face, but I know this is not leading to a kiss.
“It’s not difficult to extend a hallway. You can add another bathroom and soundproof the bedroom for her.” Emery smirks, a devilish glint in her eyes. “You know, to keep her out of earshot while adult things happen between me and you.” Air vacates my lungs at her statement. She’s not running scared, and is talking about our future…including my niece.
“Emery, I––”
“No, listen to me. I don’t want to leave.” Her voice breaks as her lips quivers. “Especially now, because I want to be here for you. You need to get a lawyer and sort this shit out. Stop worrying about me. She’s your focus. I’m a big girl.”
“Asking you to step up with me for her is a lot.”
