“He isn’t here, goddamn it!” he bellows. “He took our bitch of a mother not showing pretty hard. I should’ve never let you convince me to give her a chance,” he says accusingly.
“Art, I’m so—”
“Keep your fucking apology!” he shouts.
“I’ll help you find him.”
“I’m leaving for the police station now.”
“Text me the address. I’ll meet you there.”
“No. Stay home.”
“I’m not letting you do this alone, so please text me the damn address, Arthur!”
Art has me fucked up if he actually believes I’ll be docile and follow his demand.
“That’s the first time you’ve called me by my given name.”
“I love that little boy as much as you do. I cannot sit and do nothing while he’s missing. I will go to every police precinct in Orlando to find you. You don’t think I feel like dog shit right now?” I cry. “He would be safe if you hadn’t listened to me.”
“Fuck, I shouldn’t lash out at you.” He takes a deep breath. “It’s not your fault. I’m just so fucking scared.”
“I’ll be on the way in ten minutes.”
“Okay.”
I quickly dress, then race to my mom’s room, but she’s not there. I head downstairs.
“Mom!” I yell, barreling into the kitchen.
She yelps, turning from the coffee maker. “Cin, you nearly scared me to death.”
“I need you to walk Sebastian to school alone.”
“Did something happen?”
“There’s no time to explain.” I run towards the front door, grabbing my car keys along the way.
Art is out of his mind with worry. I’ve never heard him sound so afraid before. Whenever I try to do the right thing, I fuck it up. Maybe it’s best if I keep my opinions to myself. Cursing my stupidity, I get in my car and speed off.
Damn, this light is taking forever to change!
I bite my fingernails, unable to control my nerves waiting for the traffic light to turn green. The drive seems to be taking forever. According to my GPS I should be at the police station in twenty-five minutes. I glance left, doing a double-take when I spot Mason sitting at the bus stop, crying, next to an elderly woman attempting to console him. I break down in tears, ecstatic he’s safe. I make a U-turn and put the car in park before jumping out.
“Mason!”
He tears away from the woman and launches himself into my arms. “Cin!”
I’m squeezing him too tightly, but I can’t help it. I plant kisses all over his face. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”
“Are you his mother?” the elderly woman asks. “He’s so distraught, I couldn’t get a word out of him.”
“No, I know his brother. He’s at the police station filing a missing person report.”
“I saw the little guy sitting here upset and alone. I couldn’t just walk by.”
“Thank you so much for watching over him.”
