“Wow. You’d do that for me?” It was such a nice thing to do. The nicest thing anyone offered to do for me. Ever.
“I would. But only if you promise you won’t ever steal again.”
“I won’t. Cross my heart.” I ran an X over the left side of my chest, earning myself another smile.
“Good. Then let’s take you back, and I’ll make sure your caseworker knows you’re under my watch from now on. Which means they’ll be calling me directly if you get yourself into trouble again.”
I honestly didn’t know whether that was a good thing or a bad thing. I wanted to see the man again. He was really nice, and his eyes were kind.
“But you’re not going to get into trouble again, right?”
I didn’t want to lie to the man.
“I’ll try not to,” I told him. “But if anyone tries to steal my chocolate pudding or hurt my friend Izzy, I make no promises.”
Again, he filled the room with a rumbling laughter and my heart filled up with happiness. Being in his presence was the calmest I had felt in years. Or maybe ever in my life.
“I’ll make an exception, but only for sticking up for your friends.” He tipped the end of my nose. “But as far as everything else goes, I want you to be on your best behavior.”
I nodded, but it was a hard promise to make. If Mrs. Williams tried to put me with another foster family, I would have to run again. But then I had a different thought. I could live with him instead, and then I’d never get into trouble.
“Do you have kids, Officer?”
“No, sweetheart. I don’t. I’m not married yet. But one day, I want to have kids.”
“Any chance I can sell you on the idea of having a kid now? I’m already potty trained and past the terrible twos. I hear puberty is a nightmare, but I promise I won’t be a brat. I do cuss a bit, but I can work on that. I’m not that good at school though, but I can work on that too. So, what do you say? You want a ten-year-old daughter?”
His smile was something special. I was positive in that moment that he’d make a great dad. Just the fact that he was a cop, showed that he was a good man. He was strong, so he could protect me from all the mean boys that picked on me. He was nice, and he made me feel so calm and safe. I’m not sure I’d ever truly felt the feeling before that day.
“Let me tell you somethin’, kiddo. If I were in the market for a daughter right now, I’d be picking you in a heartbeat. But the thing is, my job is kind of dangerous and it requires me to work nights and weekends. I’m not really in the position to bring anyone into my life right now. If I had a wife though, someone I felt comfortable leaving you at home with, I’d be filling out the adoption papers today.” He winks.
“I get it. You’ve got a super important job. But hey, I tried. Your loss though because I can make a mean chocolate chip cookie and I know how to belch my ABCs.”
His rumbly laugh was like a glass of warm milk chasing down the rich sweetness that rolled off him. It was a shame he couldn’t adopt me, because it felt like we’d make a great fit. He’d make me feel safe and I’d make sure he was always smiling.
“I know it’s my loss. Now, what do you say? You ready to head back to the home?”
I let out a giant sigh, as big as the one he let out, or at least, I tried.
“Yeah, I’m ready. Can’t wait to get my talkin’ to and be on toilet-scrubbing duty for the next who knows how long. But hey, it beats jail time.”
“That’s a good way to look at it, sweetheart. We all have to accept the consequences for our actions. If you can find a positive in it, that’s a sign of maturity.”
“I’m super mature. Some say I’m too mature for my own britches. But I’ll tell you a secret.” I leaned in closer and held upmy hand so no one else could hear. “I still sleep with my teddy bear and have to have my closet light on when I go to bed.”
He smiled again, but this time it didn’t quite meet his eyes. “You’re a good kid.”
Not usually, but he made me want to be a better kid. But if I were good, then I would never get to see him again. That put me in a sticky situation, and now my rap sheet is proof of how often I wanted to see him.
Knock!Knock!
4
Link
“Shay, you up? I need to get in there.”
I was trying to let her sleep in, but it’s time for me to start my day, and I need to get a shower. I can feel the grime from the sofa seeping into my clothes. All the germs left from my brothers and the sweetbutts. If I’d had half a mind I would’ve slept in the back seat of my truck. But I wanted to make sure I was there in case Shayna came out needing something.
