Page 61 of Smitty

Without another word, I opened the door and carried Anslee to the SUV.

I opened the back door and tossed our things inside, then buckled her into her car seat. I kissed her once more, then rushed around to the other side of the vehicle. I climbed in and quickly started the engine.

As I backed out, I spotted Ryan standing at the door, watching me pull out of the driveway. He was hoping I would look back. I couldn’t. I wasn’t sure which one of us it would hurt more if I did, so I eased onto the main road and drove toward Anslee’s daycare. Drop-off went by in a blur.

Anslee seemed completely unaware that I was struggling as I kissed her goodbye and handed her bag off. I got back in the SUV and tried to shake the heavy feeling that was wearing me down.

I turned on the radio, hoping it would distract me, but I only drove a couple of blocks before I had to turn it off. I couldn’t stand the noise. Every song seemed too cheerful for the knot sitting in the middle of my chest.

By the time I pulled into the agency parking lot, I’d managed to convince myself that work would be a welcome distraction. It usually was. My personal struggles didn’t begin to compare to what I saw in that office, and I had a feeling today would be no different.

As soon as I’d parked, I grabbed my purse and hurried inside.

The familiar scent of copier toner and stale coffee greeted me the moment I stepped through the doors. I smiled at the receptionist as I scanned my badge and headed toward my office.

I’d just rounded the corner when I spotted Dr. Mayfield, Dylan’s counselor, standing next to my cubicle. The second he spotted me, he stood up straight and said, “There you are.”

“Hi, Mark. I wasn’t expecting you this morning.”

“I’m sorry. I sent you an email yesterday and was hoping you’d seen it.”

“I had a busy weekend. I didn’t get a chance to even open my laptop.” I skirted past him and placed my bag on my desk. “Is there something I can help you with?”

“I have some news about Dylan.”

“Oh, I hoped you were going to say that.” I reached for my notepad and pen as I asked, “What’s going on?”

“I think it would be best if Lisa joined us.”

His tone was serious in a way that made my stomach twist into a knot, and it didn’t help matters that he’d asked for Lisa to join us. He wouldn’t ask for my supervisor unless something major had happened. I gave him a quick nod and said, “I’ll check to see if she’s available.”

I tried to act unrattled as I brushed past him again and went to track down Lisa. A few minutes later, the three of us were sitting around the small conference table in her office. After a few quick pleasantries, Mark folded his hands together and said, “I spoke with Dylan’s mother on my way here. I reminded her of the release she and her husband signed, allowing me to discuss certain aspects of Dylan’s counseling sessions with you.”

“So, you were able to get through to him?”

“Yes and no.” He let out a deep breath. “I think I have a better idea of why Dylan has been so withdrawn and afraid… During our Saturday afternoon session, he finally opened up about Jimmy.”

Lisa’s eyes narrowed. “The neighbor?”

“Yes.” He looked over to me as he told us, “For the past few months, Jimmy has been inviting Dylan over to his house. He lured him with snacks and new video games, and once he was there, he took him down to the basement.”

The basement.

I felt the hairs on the back of my neck stand tall.

“At first, Dylan thought it was fun… He looked up to Jimmy. He thought it was cool that an older kid wanted to hang out with him, but that changed when Jimmy showed him a handgun.”

“What?”

“He believes it belongs to the boy’s father.”

“Oh no.”

“Jimmy told him that his father drinks and often gets violent… and one day he might need the gun if his dad comes after him again.” I could hear the concern in Mark’s voice when he said, “Dylan was frightened, and rightly so.”

“Of course he was.”

“He didn’t do a great job of hiding it, and once Jimmy noticed, he told him not to tell anyone. But he didn’t stop there. He told him that if he said a word about it, people would get hurt.”