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“The man told me to sit here. That you took in kids, and that you’d take me.”
Travis’s eyes grew wide. He took in kids?
He almost laughed. Not voluntarily. Not because he wanted to. Just because he hadn’t had a choice, but...he supposed word got around. Especially in the circles that this kid’s parents must run in.
“Is he coming back for you?” he asked.
He regretted that question immediately as the child’s chin trembled, and his eyes fell. Instead of answering, he picked up an envelope that was lying on the other side of him, which Travis hadn’t noticed until just then, and shoved it at Travis.
Travis assumed the answer was in the envelope, but he wasn’t sure. He lifted eyes full of questions to Ellen’s. She hadn’t said a word, just stood there, holding the car seat and waiting. Listening.
He didn’t know what else to do, so he opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper and read the note.
Hi!
This is Eugene. Travis Feagley is his dad, and while I raised him for the first four years of his life, I can no longer take care of him, so I brought him to his father’s house, so his dad can start pulling his weight.
Now that Travis is successful, he can start paying for his own child.
I’ll be back around to check on him. He’s not ready for school yet, but I’ll make sure that Travis has parental consent and all the records that he needs when I come back.
Signed,
Eugene’s mom.
Chapter 21
Ellen stood on the steps and stared at Travis. He smiled at her, but then, as he read the note, his smile had faded and something that looked suspiciously like panic took over his features.
He seemed to have gotten himself a little bit together when he lifted his eyes.
“I thought I heard a vehicle earlier. But I didn’t see it. I didn’t realize he was sitting here until I looked out the window and saw you, and came to the door to greet you.”
She nodded. He didn’t seem to be done, and so she didn’t say anything. She felt, rather than saw, Alaska come up behind her, and stand just to her side.
“This letter says that I’m his father. I promise you, it’s not true.”
She stared at him. This was the second child that had been dropped off at his house. But Travis was supposed to be the father of this one.
She felt something hard form in her stomach. It was heavy and hurt.
“It says you’re the dad?”
“I’m telling you, it’s not true.”
She believed him. She had to. She didn’t even need to look down at the child, see his bright blue eyes, and blonde hair, and know he didn’t look anything like Travis, to believe that the kid wasn’t his.
Travis had been faithful. He said he had, and he didn’t lie. Ever.
“I believe you,” she said simply.
He closed his eyes, as the breath blew out of him.
It surprised her that he’d been worried that she might not believe him. But that’s what it looked like.
“Ellen, I promise you it’s not true,” he said again, standing and coming down the stairs.
He didn’t stop until his arms were around her, and he took the car carrier from her hands, as he pulled her close.
