But instead of her getting defensive and smarting off at me, her face went pale. I heard Major mutter a curse word that I knew was meant for me. Fuck, was the kid’s father dead or something? Damn my stupid mouth.
“I don’t think so . . . no,” she replied in a whisper, before stepping back and closing the door.
“You’re a Grade A asshole,” Major mumbled, sounding irritated. “She looks like a sweet thing. A very sexy sweet thing. And she’s a single mom.”
He was right, so I didn’t argue. I owed her an apology.
Rose
Strep throat. This wasn’t going to be better in twenty-four hours. I would need to stay home with Franny for two days, at the very least, before the antibiotics did their job well enough for me to return to work. However, letting my boss know that made me want to cringe.
River’s—no, Captain’s—words had been it for me. There was no reason for us to stay. I couldn’t say this was a mistake. At least I knew what had become of the boy I had carried around in my heart for all these years. I wasn’t depriving Franny of a good father. Captain was an asshole. She didn’t need to know him. Besides, I wondered if he’d even believe me. I couldn’t take that from him. This was enough.
I peeked into the bedroom we shared, and Franny was sleeping peacefully, thanks to the medicine they’d given her. I collected the cup of melted ice beside the bed, before tiptoeing back out of the room. Calling Captain was next on my list. If he gave me a hard time about it, then I’d just quit before he could fire me. There were other jobs to be had in this town. I could get one of them until we had enough money saved up to move yet again.
Taking care of us was what I did, and I was good at it. This would not end in regret. This was simply a door that I could finally close so I could move on. The guilt I felt about dating other guys wouldn’t haunt me any longer. I wouldn’t see River’s face smiling at me every time a guy asked me out. From now on, I would say yes if I liked the guy. I wouldn’t live with self-blame and guilt another day.
I went outside to make the call so I wouldn’t wake Franny. If I was lucky, I’d get Elle, and she’d handle it incorrectly. Then I could just quit. Easy.
“Hello?” Captain’s deep voice vibrated over the phone. I hated the fact that I liked his stupid voice.
“Captain, this is Rose. My daughter has strep throat, and I’m going to need to stay with her for two days.” I blurted it out quickly and then tensed, ready for his response.
“OK, yeah. Take however long you need,” he replied.
I forgot to breathe a moment and stood there with my mouth hanging open. Had I heard the man correctly?
“And about my comment today,” he said. “I’m sorry. It was rude and shitty. I shouldn’t have asked you that. I respect the fact that you’re a hardworking single mom.”
Words I had been ready to shout at him all but evaporated as I stood in silent awe at what I was hearing.
“You there?” he asked. I managed to nod my head, although he couldn’t see that.
Swallowing, I opened my mouth again and managed to squeak out, “Thank you.”
Captain let out a heavy sigh and waited a moment.
Was he waiting for me to say more? He’d shocked me. I didn’t know what to say.
“Just give me a call when you know you can come back in. We’ll manage without you while you take care of your daughter,” he said, before ending the call. He didn’t wait for me to say more, but I figured he had given up on me replying.
I held the phone in my hand and stared at it blankly. Had that really just happened?
“Mommy,” Franny called from inside. I hurried back to her. I’d figure out Captain’s motives later.
Fourteen years ago
“You like to eat, don’t you?” he drawled, with an amused grin, from across the table.
If he wasn’t so nice to look at, I’d ignore him, but I liked seeing him smile. Even if he was teasing me. My cheeks felt warm with embarrassment for inhaling my food so quickly. I never knew when food was going to stop coming. As long as full plates were set in front of me, I intended to enjoy them.
I just nodded my reply.
“They won’t stop feeding you,” he assured me, as if he’d read my mind.
This kid, who had been given this life, didn’t know what it was like to be hungry. I did. I also knew that good things didn’t last. You had to soak it up as it was happening.
“I kinda thought they might eat with us tonight, but Dad didn’t come home in time for dinner. Mom’s off pouting. This happens a lot. You’ll get used to it.”