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“I’m more worried that her stories would scar him.”
“That, too. I’m going to Avery’s for dinner. I’ll be home by nine.” Summer frowned. “Is that okay? Should I be home for dinner so it’s not awkward with you and Allison?”
“We’re fine. Go be with your friend.”
At this point, Erica was practically comfortable having Allison around and if they ran out of conversation, they could always talk about Jackson.
They took another couple of steps, then Erica stopped. “Why do you almost always go to their houses for dinner? Why don’t you bring your friends home more?”
Summer blinked a couple of times. “I don’t know. It’s what I’ve always done. I guess when we were younger, you were gone working and the other moms wanted us supervised. So I went there and it became a pattern. Why do you ask?”
“I was just curious. You’re all older now. Less supervision is required. I want to make sure you know your friends are always welcome.”
“I know, Mom. Thanks.”
Summer kissed her on the cheek, then ran back to join her team. Erica made her way to her SUV. The other mothers had already left. She was practically the last one in the parking lot.
The mothers came and went in a group. Summer had her friends. Mara had her boyfriends. Sometimes it seemed that she was the only one going through life alone. Oh, she had her family, and Killion could be counted on but there weren’t any friends. She knew why it had happened and even had some thoughts on how to fix it. What she didn’t know was why it suddenly bothered her. Something had changed and she wasn’t sure if it was her or circumstances.
Allison sat on the hard plastic chair in the overly lit room. Around her dozens of other women, some with children, waited to see their loved ones. It was barely eight in the morning and she hadn’t slept the night before. Her back hurt from being so pregnant and from the long walk from the light rail station where she had to park.
Somewhere in the distance a loud buzzer went off, followed by the sound of a gate closing. A few minutes later, inmates trickled into the room. One or two at first, then more. Allison scanned their faces until she saw Peter. She instinctively rose and started toward him, only to remember that wasn’t allowed. She forced herself to stay where she was as her husband got close.
“Peter,” she breathed, leaning in for the brief but precious hug that was all they were allowed.
Her hands touched his sides and she immediately felt how thin he was.
“You’ve lost weight,” she said as she sank into the chair. “Are you eating? Are you sick?”
He gave her a weary smile. “You’re so beautiful. I know you are, but every time I see you, I’m reminded of that. I love you so much. You look good. How do you feel?”
She wanted to brush away the question. What did she matter? She was on the outside, able to come and go as she wanted. He was the one trapped in here with no way out.
But of course he would want to know how she was. She was his wife and he worried about her as much as she worried about him.
“I’m doing well. I got a good report from the doctor last week. My weight is up and my blood pressure is back to normal.”
He beamed at her. “That makes me happy. How’s Jackson?”
“Thriving. He has a drum now and he’s catching on about rhythm.” She leaned toward him. “I couldn’t bring him. I’m too far along to carry him all that way.”
“I understand.” His gaze searched her face. “I just want to look at you.”
She smiled, taking in the new lines around his eyes and mouth. He looked older. She could see gray in his hair—gray that hadn’t been there before he’d been arrested. What must his days be like? She couldn’t begin to imagine what he was going through. Now she didn’t have to panic every second, she could worry more about him.
He glanced around, then slowly took her hand and squeezed. “I have a lawyer,” he said happily. “He’s the right guy.” He released her hand, waved to the closest guard, then pulled a business card out of his pocket. “I’m allowed to give you this because it’s for legal representation.”
“You have a lawyer?” She wanted to ask how that had happened, but this wasn’t the place or time. “That’s great.”
“It is. He’s going to make all the difference. He’ll start negotiating on my behalf. I’m hoping he’ll get some of our money released. Life can get back to normal.”
She stared at him, not sure what he meant by that. Normal? He was in jail, facing felony charges, including threatening the police with a gun. They had no home, she was due in less than a month. She couldn’t begin to imagine what normal would be like.
He smiled at her. “It’s a new beginning.”
“If you say so.” She hesitated. “You know I’m living with Erica.”
“You told me you moved in with her.” His expression tightened. “How’s that going? I know she can be difficult, but Summer’s there to run interference.”
