“What the fuck is a mom bag?” Felix asks.
Olivia walks past and slaps his head. “Language. To answer your question, a mom’s bag has a little of everything. Mine, for instance, right now has tissues, wipes, pens, a coloring book, snacks, money, drinks, a portable charger, allergy meds, Band-Aids, and painkillers for both adults and kids. Discount coupons for half a dozen restaurants, spare underwear for both adults and kids.” She winks. “Tampons, Pull-Ups, nail clippers, my Kindle, and a tooth because a certain someone lost their tooth in the park yesterday and the tooth fairy didn’t get a chance to come and collect it yet, thanks to staff shortages.” She glares the last part at Wade as I duck my head and laugh.
“Holy crap,” Banner mutters, but Felix shakes his head.
“See, this is why I don’t mess with a woman’s bag. Nobody needs that much stuff, and who carries around teeth, apart from serial killers?” he teases until Olivia smacks him in the face with a cushion before throwing me my wallet. While everyone laughs about the dangers of a woman’s bag, I rummage through my wallet until I find what I’m looking for and pull it out.
“Here. This was my paternal grandmother before she died. Her name was Margret Sorrow.”
“Wait, her maiden name was Sorrow?”
I show Banner the photo and nod. “Obviously it changed to Wells when she married my grandfather. I’m guessing my parents called me Sorrow to honor her.”
“Well, fuck. You’re her doppelganger.”
“Right? Honestly, though, it wouldn’t have mattered if it had all been a lie and the chief had been my father. I’d have still disliked him. Sharing blood with someone means little to me. What does it matter if we throw one more fucked-up parent into the toxic pot?”
“I expected you to be freaked out. I won’t lie, but I forgot who I was dealing with, huh?”
“The queen of compartmentalizing? In my next life, I’d like to come back as something more exciting, though. Maybe the queen of coffee and mayhem.”
His warm laugh makes my stomach flutter. I lean into him, letting the reminder wash over me that there might be fucked-up shit to deal with out there—like there always is—but in here, with Banner and everyone else, life goes on. Nobody outside these walls deserves any more of my time or happiness. I’ve already given enough.
“You ready to go home?”
I look up at Banner and nod. “My place or yours?”
“How about our place?”
My mouth drops open. “Are you asking me to move in with you?” I whisper.
“Yeah, Sorrow, I am. I want to fall asleep beside you every night and wake up inside you each morning.”
“How could I refuse an offer like that?”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Yes, Banner. I’d love to move in with you.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
BANNER
I wasn’t sure she would come. Even as we approached the courtroom, I reminded her that there was no pressure for her to be here. It wasn’t about me or my parents—it was about what’s best for Sorrow.
She insisted on braving it out today, knowing this was the last day. Even so, my parents were taking the stand today, and they’d do whatever it took to discredit Sorrow. It didn’t matter what came out yesterday. Plus, I think the chief is taking the stand, yet again, so the prosecution can ask him a few more questions. It was going to take its toll, but all of us were ready and waiting to get her out of here if she needed us to.
I was sitting in the middle of Katy and Sorrow today, offering each of them a hand for support. Katy seemed extra fidgety, but I guess that’s to be expected. Her whole life had been thrown a curveball.
My mother is up first. She has a tissue in her hand and her crocodile tears ready to go. Fredrick questions her first, giving her a chance to appeal to the jury.
“Explain what your relationship was like with Miss Wells.”
“She was quiet, and it was obvious she had struggles. I knew who her mother was, of course, but I didn’t hold it against the child. In fact, I welcomed her into our family.”
“You fed Miss Wells, correct?”
“Oh yes, many times, or she wouldn’t eat. John helped her with her homework, and we both made sure she got home safely in the evenings.”
