The gravity of the journey ahead hit her. She knew he lost his parents. She knew his age and name. That was it.
She might as well climb on a boat and try to cross the vast waters of Jenny Lake without any oars.
Reva gripped the steering wheel a little tighter and drew a deep breath. She was smart, more than capable, and had done much harder things. She’d simply have to marshal her thoughts with the precision and clarity that had always guided her endeavors.
In her mind’s eye, she began to enumerate the necessities for taking care of the little orphaned toddler who had unexpectedly entered her life. First, a crib, soft and secure, where Lucan’s dreams could be cradled in the warmth of safety. Then, clothes—tiny, yet essential. She’d need daytime apparel and pajamas. Nutritious food followed, alongside an array of toys and books to stimulate a young, burgeoning mind. Diapers, countless diapers, for practicality’s sake.
Most of all, the little boy would need patience, love, bedtime stories whispered in the night, and a gentle, reassuring embrace to quell the nightmares. Each item, each task she mentally listed, was a brick in the foundation she was preparing to lay for this child’s future—no matter how long he was in her care.
Reva, ever the planner, found herself recalibrating everything to include this new and awesome responsibility. Thank goodness she had the flexibility of taking him to work with her.
Of all her achievements, none mattered more than stepping up completely for this moment in time. The precious little boy in the back seat needed her. She was determined to rise to the occasion with all the strength and dedication she possessed.
Reva slowed her Escalade, looking in her side mirrors with extra caution, and turned onto the winding lane leading to her riverside home. She rounded the final bend and several familiar cars came into sight.
She brought her vehicle to a stop and her front door opened. Charlie Grace, Lila, and Capri poured through the entry and headed to greet her.
Reva barely climbed from her car when her friends rushed to her, enfolding her in their arms with the solemnity of support. Charlie Grace was the first to step back. “We heard about what happened, Reva. We’re here for you…and for that little boy.”
They waited for her to retrieve her tiny passenger from the back seat. “He’s gorgeous,” Lila exclaimed.
“What a doll!” Capri reached for his face, then pulled back. “Is he okay? I mean, well…you know what I mean.”
Reva nodded and carried him inside, her friends following on her heels. “Time will tell. I’m sure he’s traumatized.” She filled them in on the few details she’d learned—his name, age, and that Family and Child Services was searching for relatives.
Charlie Grace pointed to a stack of gently used children’s books and a few toys on the kitchen counter. “We didn’t know what you might need, but we thought these might help him…help you both find some comfort.” They all nodded.
Reva had to credit her friends for realizing she was traumatized as well. Visions of that mangled car and the impact would haunt her for some time.
Lila, always the practical one, held out a list. “I made a list of things you might need, Reva. Groceries, clothes for Lucan, anything really. We can go get them.”
Reva, overwhelmed by their kindness, managed a weak smile as she lowered Lucan to the ground, watching him curiously eye the toys Charlie Grace had placed on a blanket. “I…I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t prepared for any of this. His parents…” Her voice broke, the grief of Lucan’s loss becoming her own.
“It’s okay, Reva. You don’t have to say anything,” Capri said, moving closer to wrap an arm around her. “We’re here to help you through this. It’s going to be tough, but you’re not alone.”
Lila knelt down to Lucan’s level, offering him a toy car from the pile. “Hey there, little guy. Want to play with this?”
Lucan’s gaze shifted from the toy to the faces around him, a silent pondering in his eyes before he reached out to take the car, a small gesture towards acceptance.
Reva watched, her heart aching yet warmed by the solidarity of her friends. “I’m scared,” she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. “This time I may have bitten off more than I can chew. I’ve never cared for a child of any age, let alone one under two years old. But having you all here…it makes it feel possible. Thank you.”
Charlie Grace let out a snort. “Well, if Gibbs and Lizzy can care for a child, you can,” she remarked, her eyes crinkling at the corners with laughter.
Capri elbowed her. “Let’s be helpful.”
Lila headed for the kitchen counter. “The authorities will make contact with his family soon. In the meantime, we’ll figure this out together,” Lila assured, placing the list on the expensive marble top. “I remember those early days after bringing Camille home—and the sleepless nights. Hopefully, Lucan is old enough he’s sleeping more than three hours at a time.” She gave Reva a weak smile.
As the morning wore on, Reva’s house filled with quiet acts of love and support. Through simple dialogue and shared silences, they wove a net of care around Reva and Lucan, promising in unspoken vows to be there through the journey ahead, no matter how uncertain it seemed.
13
Reva woke with a start in her rocking chair, her arms heavy and stiff. It took several seconds for her to come fully awake and realize she was holding a sleeping little boy.
Reality flooded her mind as she relived the events of the prior days, the tragedy, and all that had unfolded since. The overwhelming responsibility weighed heavy, yet a tiny thrill bloomed inside her as she felt Lucan’s heartbeat against her chest.
As she leaned into the tousled, tight curls of the toddler cradled in her arms, a gentle aroma enveloped her—a scent reminiscent of cotton sheets left to bask in the sun’s embrace on her mamaw’s outdoor line, subtly laced with the delicate smell of baby shampoo. The fragrance carved a sweet imprint upon her senses, a moment so serene she wished to remain forever suspended in its embrace.
The tranquility was abruptly pierced by the buzz of her phone, a jarring intrusion that startled not just her but also Lucan. She quickly fished the phone from her pocket, bracing for his cry. Instead, his face broke into a wide, infectious grin.
