Page 55 of Halo

“But not terrible enough to pick up the goddamn phone …” I let out a pained grunt.

“I'm sorry … I-I left my wallet at home.”

“You left … your wallet … at home?” I slowly enunciate her words.

“I did. After I dropped Grady off at school.”

I chuff sardonically. “Do you hear yourself right now? What does your wallet have anything to do with forgetting our son?”

“I wasn't forgetting him!” she cries. “I was trying to get back before y'all even noticed I was gone. I thought ... I thought if I hurried, I could still make it back. I was trying to figure it out.”

My jaw ticks, my molars nearly breaking as a chill forms between us.

“Are you still there—?”

“Yes,” I bark. “I'm trying to understand how your goddamn wallet has anything to do with not calling the school or me or … literally anyone.”

“Because my phone died.”

I scoff. “Seriously, Tiffany?”

“It did! My charger quit working during the night, and I didn't realize it until this morning.” She takes a shaky breath. “So when I got my wallet, I got a new charger and went back home to charge it, and I guess I fell back asleep. I swear to God, it was an accident.”

My brain is spinning, my head pounding from a brewing headache. I literally cannot comprehend what she is saying—let alone form words to express how utterly ridiculous this story is.

She continues. “I'm really sorry. Nick. I swear, I didn't mean for this to happen. When I woke up, I called the school over and over, but nobody answered.”

“They eventually have to go home, too, Tiffany. To their children. You know? Like responsible parents.”

“You don't have to be such an asshole.”

“Do you honestly think I'm overreacting right now?” I huff. “If I had done this, you'd be ten times angrier than I am. Hell, you'd probably disappear with Grady and make damn sure I never saw him again.”

The truth hangs in the air for a moment before she continues. “You're right. I'm sorry.” She sniffles. “I made a terrible mistake.”

I blow out a heavy sigh. “How are you not losing your mind right now not knowing if he's safe or not?”

“I figured you had him.”

Oh. My. God.

I think I'm going to be sick.

I pull the phone away from my ear, tempted to throw it out a window and scream. This woman—this mother—assumed that someone else would pick up the slack and take care of her five-year-old child. What if no one had? Worse, what if the wrong person found him?

The only reason that boy is safe with me tonight is because of Leah.

Grady tugs on my pant leg. “Can I have some more noodles, Nick?”

I hold my hand over the receiver. “Sure, partner. Let me help you.”

“Is that Grady? Can I talk to him?”

I take a deep breath, watching my son climb back into his chair. He wiggles and hums to himself, tracing shapes in the butter remnants on his plate. Completely unaware. Completely innocent.

I am livid with Tiffany, and as much as I want to deny her this, I can't do that to him. She's the one person he wanted to be with today. If Tiffany and I have any hope of becoming the parents Grady deserves, it has to start somewhere.

Besides ... I know what it's like to be shown grace I didn't deserve.