“You’re okay, Robin. I’ve got you. You’re safe. It’s all good.”
My words don’t seem to be making a single bit of difference, but I don’t know what more I can do to help her, and maybe I can’t. Maybe all she needs is for me to be here for her to hold onto.
“I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper, kissing her head and keeping her close.
I start to hum under my breath as her cries become whimpers, hoping somehow that the sound will soothe her to sleep.
She gasps lightly and it feels like maybe it’s working.
I’m not the world’s best singer, but I give it a try, for her.
The only song I can think of is the one that Harper played for us yesterday.
I know it means something to her, that it reminds her of her mother.
It’s a song I learned when I was a kid, when my parents were still together.
I wouldn’t say my father was a bastard, but he was never exactly a great guy, either.
My mom had good reasons to leave him, and there were plenty of them to count.
The one thing I remember clearly about the time before they split was my father coming home at strange hours, whistling this song.
It made him sound cheerful. That’s what I liked about it.
Robin sniffles a bit while I sing for her, and it sounds like she’s starting to calm down.
She cries quietly for a little longer, but the urgency of her tears has slowed.
She’s worn herself out. She’s emotionally drained.
I stop singing and find she’s fallen asleep.
I made her feel better.
At least, better enough to get some rest.
I hold her for a while longer, not letting go until I think I can move without waking her.
She’s out cold when I get out of the bed.
I unhook the phone so it can’t disturb her.
Leaving the room feels wrong, but I decide I’ll bring Harper in beside her since he’s sleeping on the couch. If nothing else, she’ll have company when she wakes up.
Chapter One Hundred-Eighteen
Harper
Yawning and stretching, I blink awake to find out the room has gotten darker, and the sound has gone from the TV. It’s not like Jay to leave me sleeping on a couch, but I need to admit this one is pretty comfortable. It’s at least five times better than the one in our old living room.
I get up to find I’m alone in the room, but that doesn’t last long.
The bedroom door opens as I start to move around the couch.
Jay comes into the room, holding a finger up to his lips.
Robin must still be asleep, then.
