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“Gimme that.” I reached for the knife.
“No!” Rockson flew off his chair and held it out like a weapon.
“Buddy, what are you doing?” I slowly stepped toward him.
“Did he hit you?” His eyes were locked on my face.
“No, I didn’t hit her. Why would you think that?” Rocky asked.
“I heard you fighting.” Rockson scowled at Rocky. “Vegas told me to always protect my mom. He said to kill anyone who hurts her.”
“Oh, buddy. Rocky didn’t hurt me. I promise he didn’t.”
“I was angry at the man who did hurt her.” Rocky stayed in his chair and extended his hand. “Give me the butter knife.”
My chest tightened. My sweet boy. He was so angry and ready to do whatever it took to protect me.
“Who hit my mom?”
“It was an accident, buddy. I got elbowed. It’s not a big deal. Please give us the knife.”
Rocky shot me a displeased look. He couldn’t possibly think it was a good idea to tell Rockson the truth. He was just a little boy.
Rockson lowered his guard. “Rocky didn’t hurt you?”
“No, buddy,” I told him honestly.
“I’m not hungry.” He put the butter knife on the table. “I don’t want to talk.”
I fell to my knees and pulled my baby into my arms. “Thank you for wanting to protect me. But I’m the one who does the protecting, okay?”
“No. I’m the one who should’ve been here, protecting both of you.” Rocky scrubbed his hands against his cheeks. “Tell him.”
“Tell me what?”
“Rocky is your dad, buddy.”
“My dad?” He stared at Rocky.
“Yes, and I’m sorry I’ve been gone, but I’m here for good now.” Rocky shifted in his chair and opened his arms. “Can I hug you?”
Rockson ran into Rocky’s embrace. “Are you really my dad?”
“Yes, buddy, I am.” They hugged, both smiling.
I wilted on the spot into a puddle of tears. The two loves of my life were in one room and knew about each other. The three of us together had been my only prayer for the past five years, and it had finally been answered.
“Don’t cry, Mommy.”
“Yeah, baby. Come here.” Rocky reached his hand out.
I took it and was pulled into their embrace. I kissed him, then Rockson.
Despite the horror I’d been through last night, today was one of my best days ever.
After we finished breakfast, Rockson took Rocky into his bedroom to show off his superheroes while I cleaned the kitchen. Rocky mentioned having church at noon, and I wasn’t about to let him go to the clubhouse alone. I knew he was boiling inside and could erupt the second he saw Vegas.
With that thought, I texted Joy to see if she could come by to watch Rockson for a little while. When she repliedyes, I called Tomcat even though I was ticked off he’d abandoned me last night after he’d promised to stay close. But I couldn’t think of that. I needed Tomcat to help me with Rocky. The call went straight to voicemail, which was strange. He always answered when I called.
