she smiles. “Almost quitting time. Got any big plans this weekend?”
Plans? Me? You’d think after six years of working together, Cindy would know me better than that. My work comes first. I can’t just switch it off when I walk out the door like everyone else. The children stay with me every waking moment of the day, and even when I close my eyes. These kids need me. I can’t let my hair down, so to speak, because the second I do, something will happen, and I won’t be there in time to protect them.
“The usual. You?”
“My husband and I are heading to the Gulf for a weekend getaway.”
“Must be nice,” I mutter under my breath, but she thankfully doesn’t catch it, or doesn’t acknowledge it. It’s been at least ten years since my last vacation. Maybe even longer than that. I’ve lost more paid vacation time for not using it than I’ve probably used, but there’s no point in taking a trip if it’s just me. I can be alone in my own house for far cheaper.
“I hope you both enjoy your time away. Do you need me to cover anything for you?”
“No, but I appreciate you asking. I worked late the last few nights so everything was caught up before I left. My court date today was the last thing on my to-do list.”
“Well, if anything comes up—.”
“I know, you’ll cover it,” she interjects. “But I wish you’d take some time off for yourself. Between this and all your volunteer work, you deserve it.”
“I appreciate that, but you know I can’t.”
“One of these days, I’m going to convince you to do it.”
“You always say that, and it never works.”
“One day, it will.” Winking, she pats the folders resting on her arm. “I better get these files into the system. Mark will kill me if I work late tonight. You have a wonderful weekend.”
“You, too.”
Spinning on her heels, she disappears, leaving me to finish up a few more things before the alarm on my phone goes off. Shit, it’s already six. If I don’t hurry, I’ll be late for my date with Greg. The last time I was late, he was an absolute bear. Not that his mood is ever really cheerful.
Grabbing my things, I shut off the remaining lights in the office and lock the door behind me, praying that traffic will be light as I make my way to the car.
Judge
“Come on, guys!” I call up the stairs for the third time. “You’re gonna be late for your first day!” I never thought I’d ever say those words, but here I am, instant father to two very traumatized kids.
Kevin comes thumping down the steps first, pulling his shirt over his head. “Sorry,” he mumbles, brushing past me and plopping his ass down into a kitchen chair. “Didn’t sleep so good last night.”
I watch him for a moment. “What’s going on, son?”
Shrugging, he peers at the empty plate in front of him. “Just nervous, I guess.”
Poor fucking kid. He’d been through more shit at sixteen than most grown men I know, and he’s still here, powering on, taking care of his sister, and trying to give them both a good life. His shit past will make him into a good father someday.
“Where’s Nat?”
Kevin worries his lower lip between his teeth. “Uh, she’s coming. She was just trying to look her best, I think.” She and Lindsey had picked out her outfit over a week ago. I know girls can be finicky about their clothes, but as many bags as the two of them brought into the house from the mall, she has more than enough options. My credit card is proof of that.
I sigh. Kevin’s a shit liar.
“Eat,” I order, pointing at the plates in the center of the table piled high with scrambled eggs, toast, and sausages. I admit, I went overboard, but both kids are skin and bones, and I’ll be damned if I send them off to their first day at a new school on an empty stomach.
Leaving Kevin to his breakfast, I take the stairs two at a time, glancing at the clock on my phone as I get near the top. Shit.
“Nat, honey, ya gotta hurry. We need to leave in a few minutes.”
“Coming.” The bathroom door at the end of the hall muffles her reply, but not enough that I can’t hear the sadness in her voice.
I move toward the door and tap it a few times with my knuckle. “Everything okay