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"Good night, Tink."
"Good night."
FIFTY-ONE
SCAR
As soon as I woke up, I knew something was off. However, I had promised Shaun that we would go grocery shopping together to pick up ingredients for homemade pizza. My head was pounding, and my body ached. After taking four tablets of Ibuprofen, the aches were gone but the headache decided to hang back.
So, despite my discomfort, I summoned all my strength and put on a brave face. Pushing my son in the grocery cart through the aisles ignoring the pain in my head, my mind drifts back to the tree farm, and I am filled with a sense of contentment. That day was pure magic— the smell of pine needles and the thrill of running through the rows of trees searching for the perfect one. I can still taste the rich, velvety hot cocoa on my tongue, and the memory of our kiss makes my heart sing. And now that he’s going to be leaving for a few months to film his TV series, my chest feels tight, making it hard to breathe.
As a distraction, Shaun and I decided to buy the ingredients for homemade pizza. I swear this kid could live on that alone.
“Mom?”
“Yeah, monster. What’s up?”
“Is Ricky coming over?”
I smile. “Do you want him to come over?”
Ever since that unforgettable day, Maverick and I have been spending an increasing amount of time together as a trio, and that includes my little boy. Shaun has taken a liking to Maverick and has grown to adore his company. I've noticed how their bond has strengthened over time, and it's a beautiful thing to see.
Shaun smiles wide. “Yeah. I like him a lot, and I like how he treats you.”
“Me too.” I ruffle his hair, and he swats my hand away with a giggle.
I move through the aisles to the register, and I notice a whole bunch of items in the cart that were not on the list. When I stare down at my son, he laughs out loud. Shaun has this habit of grabbing random items from the shelves and tossing them in the cart without me looking. He gets a kick out of it, but I know he only does it because it makes me laugh.
“You sneaky turd.” I tickle him until he begs me to stop.
After paying Dolly, who has worked at Piggly Wiggly for the last fifty years, she gives me a genuine smile and hands Shaun a sucker and a wink. I watch as Shaun becomes wholly absorbed in his lollipop. I start pushing the cart faster and faster toward my car, and even though we're picking up speed, he throws his head back and laughs with pure joy. His arms wave in the air, his sucker still firmly in his mouth.
One of my favorite sounds in the world.
I picked up Shaun from the shopping cart and put him in my car. After making sure he was buckled up, I left a window slightly open and put the groceries in the trunk. Once I finished, I closed the trunk and returned the shopping cart to its spot. Then, I adjusted my mirrors and drove off.
As I park the car in the driveway, a sharp pain started pulsing in my head. I switch off the engine and press my fingers into my temples, attempting to alleviate the ache. "Mom?" Shaun says in a gentle tone. "Are you okay?"
Despite his reassuring presence, the pounding in my head persisted, and Shaun's voice faded into the background. The world around me started to blur and spin, and my eyelids grew heavy. I leaned my forehead against the steering wheel, and the last sound I remember was Shaun's voice begging me to wake up.
* * *
Maverick
Iam engrossed in a game of chess with Dad when Mom storms into the living room, her face etched with worry. She blurts out that something is wrong with Scar, and my heart skips a beat. Without a second thought, I leap out of my seat and dash to the window, my eyes scanning the driveway. I see Scar slumped inside her car, her head resting against the steering wheel, and I can hear Shaun's desperate cries from where I stand.
What the hell is going on?
“I’ll be back,” I tell my parents as I barrel out the door and down the steps to her car barefoot. When Shaun sees me, his cries turn to hiccups. I rush to his side and pull the door open. He immediately whimpers and points at his mom.
"Okay, bud. Let's get you out first.”
"Mom is sick," he says through his hiccups.
"Here, let me," Mom says gently as she approaches me from behind. "Why don't you go to Scar, and I'll take care of the little guy," she offers kindly with a warm smile.
I nod in agreement and round the car to Scar’s door. When I pull it open, she doesn’t budge. I look over the top of the car and see Mom cradling Shaun in her arms. She gives me a sad smile and walks across the yard to our house.
