you need people to take responsibility and tell what they saw, can’t do that if they ain’t breathing.”
Maia looked over and realized that Darcie was listening to every word. “Hey, little girl. What cha got in that box?” Maia asked.
“Pizza. Me and Daddy had pizza. Then we went and got ice cream. And then we bought Daddy some fancy clothes,” Darcie said excitedly.
“And show them what you got,” Roman said.
Darcie jumped up and ran to Maia, holding out her hand. “I got a charm bracelet. And Daddy bought me the first charms for it, too.”
“Oh my goodness! That is beautiful!”
“Look, I got a sunflower, and a ‘D’ for Darcie, and a sparkly purple one, too, ‘cause I like purple. And we can get a new one everywhere we go to make it full of special memories. He’s gonna bring me one when he comes back with Mama from his trip.”
Maia looked over toward Roman just in time to see him flinch.
“I don’t think she’s going to be able to come home yet, Darcie. I’m going to try, but it’s probably gonna take a little while to get it all straightened out so she can come home. I don’t want you to get discouraged, though, because we’re going to bring her home. It just probably won’t be this time, okay?” Roman asked.
“Okay,” Darcie said resignedly. “But I know you’ll bring her back. You always do everything you say you will.”
“I will, no matter how long it takes. When I come home I’ll have some kind of answer, or at least a plan,” Roman said.
Darcie nodded happily and went back to sit beside Cristie.
As the girls started sharing pizza and cheese fries, Riley glanced at the T.V. and shouted at the referees again. “Damn! Maia could be a better referee! Get it together, people!”
“Who’s playing,” Roman asked, walking in and sitting beside Lucas on the love seat.
“Florida and ‘Bama!” Riley said.
“Bama’s gonna win,” Roman said, knowing Riley loved the Gators.
“Are you crazy? Gators got this coming and going!” Riley answered.
“Bama,” Roman said, calmly watching the game.
“Fine. You know what? You lose, you driving the whole damn way. I lose, I drive,” Riley said.
“Deal!” Roman answered with a grin.
As they watched the game and ribbed each other good-naturedly, Maia decided to probe a little deeper. “Have you heard from her?” she asked Roman.
Roman shook his head solemnly. “According to Ms. Autry, because she’s being held without bail and under maximum security, she can’t call anybody that’s not family or her lawyer. She told them she didn’t have any family, so they won’t let her reach out to anybody but Ms. Autry.”
“Has Ms. Autry let you know how she’s doing?” Maia asked.
“Ms. Autry’s called me twice. Said Talie cried with relief when she saw the picture of me and Darcie in front of the tree and when she read our letters. Then she called me back to let me know she’d been contacted by Base’s attorneys and would be at our meeting on the third. She hasn’t had a chance to tell Talie yet because of limited visits with the holidays and all. But she has an early morning meeting scheduled with Talie on the same day before our meeting with Base’s attorneys. She promised to tell her I miss her and let her know Darcie is doing great,” Roman said.
“Maybe she’ll bring you a message from Talie,” Maia said.
“I hope so,” Roman said.
“So, the hearing is on Thursday?” Maia asked.
“Yeah. I can’t imagine how she must feel,” Roman said.
“My heart hurts for her. I hope she knows she’s got people on her side,” Maia said.
“Ms. Autry said Talie’s doing as well as can be expected, but she’s much more at ease knowing she doesn’t have to worry about Darcie anymore,” Roman said.
“’Cause I’m here, now,” Darcie added, letting them know she was paying attention.
“That’s exactly right! Because this is home,” Roman said, sharing a smile with Darcie.
“Yep!” Darcie said, before getting up and wandering over to Roman. She leaned against his knee and looked down at her fingers where they fiddled with embroidery on her favorite sweater. “Daddy, I want to go see Mama. Can I go, too?” she asked.
“Baby, I’m not sure I’ll get to see her. I’ll be in meetings with lawyers most of the time,” Roman explained.
“But you might,” she said.
“I might. But, I probably won’t get to talk to her. So, why don’t we wait until a visit I know for sure you can get to hug her and