longer. The short walk invigorated me as I unlocked the back door leading to my little apartment above the gallery. It still made my heart skip to know that it was mine. Years of working and saving had finally given me the future I’d always dreamed about for both myself and my son.
The apartment was silent when I crept in, only the faint light from the television greeting me as the door softly closed behind me. It wasn’t late, but the day had been exhausting for everyone. On the couch, Matilda had dozed off. Gently shaking her, the plump brunette stirred in her slumber until finally, she bolted upright.
“I’ll kill you!” She growled.
I laughed. “Take it easy there, killer. It’s just me. Do you want to crash in the guest room?”
Matilda yawned, nodding her head. “I guess if you are going to force me, I should probably stay. How was it? Did you get everything signed? Is that little pecker officially out of your life now?”
I chuckled and sank down on the couch next to her. Matilda was the first and only employee my art gallery would have. She was younger than me by a few years but a talented artist that deserved more than a few good breaks. It would be a cold day in hell before I let her slip through my fingers. Plus, her dedication to the artwork and my little family was endearing.
To hear her tell it, I’d saved her life when we’d met on a cold winter night. She was living on the street after her parents kicked her out for her sexual orientation. The kindness in her eyes had told me everything I needed to know about her. For the last six months, she’d been my baby sitter, best friend, and employee.
Without her hard work, I wouldn’t be in the same place. Likewise, without my kindness, she’d still be on the streets. It was a bond formed from necessity but solidified in love. While Matilda had her own studio apartment downtown, I rarely made her leave my apartment's comfort. She needed the sense of family as much as I loved giving it to her.
“He’s placated. I don’t think that he will leave me alone for long if we are being honest. I did tell him off tonight,” I grinned.
Her eyes widened. “Really? Well, it's about time. I wanted to punch him right in the mouth when I saw the way he looked at you that one day.”
“I know he can be abrasive, but his parents really have done a lot for Harrison and me. I just don’t want to hurt his feelings.”
“I get the feeling with him, you could tell him ‘no’ a thousand times, and he won't listen until you bitch-slap him into next week. Some men are just like that.”
“Hopefully that doesn’t happen,” I muttered. “I really would prefer it if we could all just get along.”
“You are too kind for this world.” Matilda yawned. “Let me know if you get tired of turning him down, and I’ll show him what ‘no’ means in my world. He won't have any balls left to use instead of his brain.”
“Matilda!” I scolded. “How was Harrison?”
She laughed at my scolding. “He was an angel, as always. He keeps asking when we can go back to the beach. I promised him we’d go after the gallery opening.”
“Thank you,” my lids felt heavy. “You are so good with him.”
She patted my leg as she started to doze off again. I made my way into the bedroom I shared with Harrison and crawled into bed with him. He had his own bed but always ended up in mine with me, so I’d given up trying to stop him. There was no better feeling in the world than being loved by the little human you created.
Everything that I did was for him. I wanted him to follow his dreams just as I’d followed him. We didn’t need anyone else. My son didn’t know his father and never would. A pang of fear coursed through me as I held him tighter.
They would never take him away.
3
Chapter Two (Walker)
Jackson tugged the lead on the steer as I slammed the gate behind him. The massive black Angus bolted into the field of waiting heifers, nearly dragging my older brother along with him. There was a laugh from the fence line as the farmhands watched the show. I chuckled along with them as my brother was drug several feet before letting go.