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As bad as it sounds, I’m thinking about my son right now. Change is already hard for Gabe. If he finds out he has a father just for his father to disappear on him again, it will hurt him. However, I do want Gabe to have the experience of having a father figure in his life for however long he can have him.
“Okay,” Gabriel says.
“Good.” I nod feeling confident in my choice. “With that being said, for as long as you are here you will spend time with your son. I don’t care if it’s watching the same Marvel movie 50 times or tossing the ball in the back yard. Whatever he wants to do you will do it.”
He rakes a hand down his face. “I don’t know if that’s—”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to hear it. Either you do this, or I’ll send you away and call someone else to keep us safe.”
I don’t tell him that Fem gave me a number. She told me to only use the number in case of dire emergencies. Only if it’s a last resort, life or death type of thing. She was so adamant about it, I even taught Gabe how to find the number on my phone. If Gabriel couldn’t follow my rules, I had no problem calling that number to keep me and Gabe safe.
The vein in his neck tells me he’s angry. I’m not sure if he’s angrier at me making this demand or the idea of someone else keeping us safe.
He dips his chin to his chest. I guess that’s as much of an agreement I’m going to get.
“My last request,” I say, before taking a deep breath. “When we are no longer in danger and your time is up, you have to give us a proper goodbye. Promise me you won’t slip out while we are sleep.” I hate the sound of desperation in my voice as I give him this last stipulation. But I can’t help it. The way he left that last time still lingers with me.
Gabriel’s intense eyes stare back at me. They stare so long and so deeply, I feel as if he’s trying to tell me something. Like there is a hidden language he’s trying to share with me only I don’t understand it.
Finally, he dips his chin and turns away from me. “You have my word.”
Feeling content with the new arrangements I hold out my hand. He looks back at the outstretched appendage before his half smirk lifts his lips. He places his warm hand in mine, swallowing up my hand. We shake twice before letting go.
“Alright, it’s Sunday, which means we are headed to the bookstore.”
I turn to leave the bathroom. Gabe appears in the doorway rubbing his sleepy eyes.
“Hulk,” Gabe says happily in a groggy voice. The smile on his face lights my heart. He rushes into the bathroom to stand beside his father.
“Gabe brush your teeth so we can head to the bookstore. Hulk,” I say getting Gabriel’s attention. “There are spare toothbrushes in that top drawer.” I point to the set of drawers behind him.
I then leave, allowing the two guys to bond in the bathroom.
***
Gabe and I make it to Books and More, for their Sunday story time.
“Hey Gabe,” Malia says as soon as we walk in.
“Cookie,” Gabe sings his nickname for Malia.
He lets go of my hand to runs to Malia. As soon as he gets to her, he grabs her hand. From the first day my son met Malia he has been smitten. The only person he likes more than her, is her daughter. Right on time, Emory walks over to Gabe.
“Em,” Gabe beams up at Emory. She waves and signs his name.
He signs her name back to her. She’s been teaching him sign language since we started coming here.
“Why don’t you two find a spot on the floor. Story time will start soon,” Malia says.
Gabe lets go of her hand and takes Emory’s. They walk over to the fireplace where story time will take place.
“Is Trina meeting you here?” Malia asks, walking over to the bakery counter.
“Of course. You know she can’t miss an opportunity to have one of your strawberry short cake rolls.”
Malia chuckles as she goes over to the sink to wash her hands.
“We missed you last week,” I say, glancing over my shoulder at Gabe who seems to be caught in a trance as he stares up at Emory.
