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“It’s easier said than done.”
She sighed dramatically and rolled her eyes. “Are you always this exhausting? You didn’t hit me, you didn’t get hurt on your own. You’re not to blame. That’s already settled, so why bring it up again?”
“I didn’t, you did.”
“Because you were looking at me full of guilt, and this won’t fly here.”
“It’s not wrong to worry about you.”
“Then you worry, but don’t blame yourself.”
“It’s not like I could turn it off.”
“So try harder.”
Before I could respond, Zach came out of the room. “Is this how it’s always gonna be?”
Mia smiled in mischief. “We’re gonna have so much fun.”
I couldn’t help grinning back, as much as my injured face allowed me. Her eyes turned hard, and she furrowed her eyebrows, which wasn’t a good idea, what with her cut.
“Don’t touch my books.”
“What?”
“My books.” She pointed her little finger at me. “If you wanna borrow my books, you ask me. So I can say, ‘No.’ Do not touch them without my approval.”
It was my time to be mischievous. “You’re right. We’re gonna have so much fun.”
She squared her little shoulders. “Game on.”
“Or we can all behave ourselves and not turn everything into strife.” Poor Zach. Always the peacemaker.
“But what’s the fun in that, Zee?” Mia asked him right before she mouthed theatrically to me, “I’ll come for you.”
Zach shook his head and went back to the room. “Good, now I have to babysit two grown kids.”
Right before I followed him inside, Mia called me again.
“Benny?” I turned to her and didn’t feel like giving her a hard time for calling me that. “You’re safe here.” I didn’t know what to say, and she wasn’t waiting for an answer. She just gave me a small smile. “Welcome home.”
Before I could respond, she entered her bedroom and closed the door. Once again, I found myself without words.
After I left Michael, I thought I’d never be safe or see these people again. Instead, I’ve gained a new home, a new family, and a new sense of safety and belonging.
I had a new purpose: to deserve those people who so selflessly loved me back.
Drying my eyes before Zach could see me, I walked into my new bedroom and welcomed my new life with my arms wide open.
My whole body shook as I sobbed. I cried in pain for the little boy who lost his momma, I cried for the teenager who had to learn how to survive, but I also cried in relief for this man who has found a new family. He hugged me tight, comforting me and telling me everything was okay when I should be the one to do that to him. He pulled me onto his lap, kissing my head and rubbing my back in slow motions. All I could do was snuggle into his broad chest, seeking the solace I should be giving him.
“Shh, honey. Everything is fine now, it’s all in the past.”
“But i-it’s new f-for me. T-things could have b-been so different.”
“But they’re not. I found my people, and it all led me to you. So yeah, it was a shitty start. I wish my mom hadn’t suffered at his hands and that Mia wasn’t another one of his victims, but it turned out better than I expected.” He pressed his forehead to the side of my head. “I’ve got you, we have a baby on the way, who will never face the demons I fought, and a family that loves the three of us.”
My sobbing subsided, and I thought about us, about the life we were creating for us and our boy.
