Deserted - Cara Dee Page 0,57
She wove rules and information together with anecdotes of fun activities and traditions they had at the facility. There was a movie night every week, and twice a week, the kids helped bake cinnamon rolls that the staff brought over to the men and women at the local retirement home. Daily exercise in the backyard or the common room downstairs, depending on the weather. More activities for children, and those who lived here without a primary caregiver always had an adult nearby.
When Adeline decided they’d talked enough for now, she showed Jayden what would be his room down the hall. It was small but looked cozy. There was a closet, a bunk bed, a simple desk with two chairs, and glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling.
“Justin prefers to sleep with the door open,” Adeline explained. “The girls next door know they have to ask before they enter, though. And same goes for everyone. We ask before we go into someone’s private room, no matter if the door is open or closed.”
Gray scanned the room and created a mental shopping list. He knew, from when he’d volunteered here, that it was okay to drop off gifts and make minor changes to the room, such as replacing the white bedsheets with ones that were more fun for children, putting up posters, or adding a shelf or two.
All they asked of donors was that they took the other child into consideration. In other words, if Gray bought something for Jayden, the nice thing to do was make sure his little roommate didn’t feel left out.
Jayden walked over to the bed and pointed at the shelf sticking out from the side of the top bunk. The bottom bunk didn’t have one. There was a nightstand instead. “My action figure can sleep here.”
“That’s a perfect place for an action figure,” Adeline agreed. “Does it have a name?”
Gray swallowed hard. Jayden seemed to be accepting things all right, but it still felt wrong. He didn’t wanna leave the kid behind.
“I haven’t thought of one,” Jayden said and scrunched his nose.
Out in the hallway, there was some mild commotion, letting everyone know that the dinner rush appeared to be over. Those who had eaten in the cafeteria were returning.
“Maybe Justin can help you tomorrow,” Adeline suggested. “He named his teddy bear Frank.”
Jayden gigglesnorted. “Frank…”
Adeline smirked a little. “So, have you eaten dinner, Jayden?”
He shrugged and nodded, then shook his head and turned to Gray in question. “Did we eat dinner?”
“Not really, buddy,” Gray answered. “It’s been a few hours.”
“How about you and I have dinner, then?” Adeline proposed. “I haven’t eaten yet either, and it’s mac-and-cheese day. I think they’re serving it with chicken and bacon today.”
Fuck. She was wrapping things up. It was her subtle cue to let Gray and Darius know it was time for them to leave. Dragging out the goodbyes was never good, even though this wasn’t a farewell in that sense.
“I like mac and cheese,” Jayden claimed.
Darius, who had stood still in the doorway, cleared his throat. “I’ll go get his bags.”
Jayden became quiet and glanced around the room. Maybe it was hitting him now that this was it.
Gray pushed past the queasiness churning in his stomach and sat down in one of the desk chairs.
“Come here.”
Jayden walked over to him and stared down at the floor.
“I’ll be here to pick you up at ten tomorrow.” Gray lifted Jayden’s chin, then touched his cheek. “We’re gonna go to Target and pick up some cool things for you and Justin.”
Jayden nodded.
“Remember our goal?” Gray murmured. “I’m not letting you go.”
“Okay, good,” Jayden whispered. “You gotta work on your nightmares.”
Gray exhaled a thick laugh and looked away in an attempt to get his shit together. “I’m gonna work so hard,” he promised. “In the meantime, we’ll see each other several times a week. And while you’re here, you listen to Adeline and the other grown-ups. I think you can make some great friends here too.” He leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to Jayden’s forehead. It earned him that little quirk of a grin. “Easy on the cursing, yeah?” Gray lightened the tension. “We don’t want the other kids running around yelling shit, goddammit, and motherfucker.”
That made Jayden laugh. “That would be fun.”
“I’m sure you think so,” Gray chuckled. He had to go while they were smiling. He stole a quick hug from Jayden before he rose from the chair. “Tomorrow, ten AM. Teeth brushed, clothes on.”
Jayden smirked up at him. “Wilco.”
Gray smiled and