“Let’s go home, Sweets.”
I looked out the window as Daddy headed around the truck. Squinting hard, I spotted a shadowed figure in the distance. Immediately, I felt off and sick, seeing them stand there. Daddy opening his door had me turning in his direction, interrupting my thoughts. When I turned back toward where the shadow figure was, the spot was empty.
“Ready?”
“Yeah, Daddy, I’m ready. Let’s go home.”
The followingdays after we returned home passed in a numb blur. I always felt like a zombie after visiting her, and I was sure I scared Daddy. My will to be a functioning member of society evaporated, and I went through the motions.
Daddy had been my rock, though, always close and never letting me spend longer than a few moments in my spiraling dread. I spent a lot of the time in Middle space, trying to cope.Daddy, of course, immediately stepped up and took control. I was grateful that I didn’t have to think about anything besides what Legos I was doing and if I’d drunk all the water Daddy brought me in my tumbler.
I heard a knock at the door, but I sat engrossed in my current Legos build. I was finally working on the big one Daddy had bought me, since I had already completed the rest of the small ones.
I was still working on the base of the Disney castle when I felt a presence settle beside me. When I glanced to my right, I spotted Victor sitting there. Puzzled, I looked at Daddy, wondering what was going on.
“Hey, Bekah!” Vic said, shoulder bumping me.
“Hey, Vic.”
I felt bad because I hadn’t been able to make it to Beans and Things over the past few weeks. Barely functioning would do that to a person.
“What’s going on? Why are you here? Not that I’m not excited to see you, of course.”
Daddy cleared his throat, “I texted him. Daddy has a case to go on. So I figured you could use a familiar face.”
My heart warmed. Daddy knew how to take care of me, knowing exactly what I needed. “Wait, you have to leave?”
“I do, Sweets. I would love nothing more than to stay here, but this is a big one, and it’s all hands on deck. Seth won’t be staying behind this time. We need him on the ground, working in the local area.”
I hated that Daddy was leaving so soon after we had gotten back, but I knew that’s what happens. Duty called, and someone needed him more than I did.
“Okay, Daddy.”
“You be good, okay? Matt is swinging by to pick me up, so you will have the truck if you need to leave for any reason. I want you to keep your phone nearby and charged, understand.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Daddy will be home before you know it. Vic, take care of our girl tonight. I left some money on the counter for pizza and wings. Veg out and watch movies, but don’t stay up too late.”
“I’ve got her, Beau, be safe.”
The doorbell rang, and Daddy looked torn. I could tell that he had an internal battle going on. He didn’t want to leave me, but he knew that someone was in trouble. He let out a breath and blew me a kiss before grabbing his bag and heading out the door.
I was alone for the first time since Alicia’s birthday. Well, not really alone because I had Vic, but the bed would feel empty tonight. Shaking my head, I turned toward my best friend and gave him a big hug.
“Want to watch Encanto and finish my Legos?” I asked, pulling away.
“Duh. I’ll order our pizza while you put on the movie.”
We divided and handled our tasks before settling in and picking up where I had left off in the build.
Vic stayedthe night with me that first night, but I’d been alone ever since. Of course he was checking in daily, but it wasn’t the same. I wished Daddy were home. I wish that Seth weren’t with the rest of the guys. I really wished that my sister were still here, but that pain had eased more and more as the days go by.
It had been almost a week since the team left for their case, and I had been going insane. The first few days weren’t so bad, but as more time passed, the more I struggled. Being alone hadleft me with plenty of time to obsess over the little things. One of those things that has been nagging me was the mysterious man I noticed in the cemetery. Logically, I knew he could just be someone visiting a loved one, but something in my gut was telling me that wasn’t the case.
It didn’t help that every time I left Daddy’s house, because why would I torture myself by staying at my home, I felt like I was being watched. Yet, as far as I could tell, there wasn’t a single thing out of the ordinary.
I just had this gut feeling that something was off, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. I’d tried my best not to leave the house often, but I didn’t want to be a hermit until Daddy got home. Going to Beans and Things was a reason to get out of the house. Plus, it wouldn’t be much longer before they stopped selling my favorite drink.
