He nods, a muscle twitching in his jaw. “Back in twenty. If I’m not—”
“You will be,” I say firmly, meeting his eyes. We both know what’s left unsaid. If he’s not back, we’re fucked.
Lenny crouches down to Alex’s level. “Hey, little man. I’m gonna get you some yummy food. What do you want?”
“Chicken!” Alex squeals, abandoning his crayons to throw his arms around Lenny’s neck.
Lenny hugs him tight, his eyes closing for a moment. When he pulls back, his smile doesn’t quite reach his eyes. “Chicken it is. Be good for Momma, okay?”
As Lenny slips out, I engage the chain lock and press my ear to the door. His footsteps fade down the hallway, and I count to thirty before I relax. Slightly.
“Momma?” Alex’s voice pulls me back. “Why Uncle Lenny sad?”
Shit. Kid’s too perceptive for his own good. I force a smile, sitting cross-legged next to him on the floor. “He’s not sad, buddy. Just tired from our trip.”
Alex nods sagely, like he understands the weight of the world. He picks up a red crayon, scribbling with renewed focus. “I make him happy picture.”
“That’s a great idea,” I say. My throat tightens as I watch him work, tongue poking out in concentration.
“Momma, look!” Alex holds up his masterpiece—a blob that might be a dog. Or a tree.
I crouch down next to him, forcing a smile. “That’s great, buddy.” He nods, but his little brow furrows.
“What’s wrong, Lexi bear?”
“Where’s Aunty Pam? And Mister Whiskers?”
Shit. I forgot about that damn classroom pet hamster he’s obsessed with.
“Remember what I said, Lexi Bear? We’re on a special trip.” I ruffle his hair, trying to keep my voice light. “Aunty Pam and Mister Whiskers are back home, taking care of your friends.”
“But why?” His lower lip trembles.
I swallow hard. “Sometimes… sometimes we have to do things we don’t want to. To help people we love.”
He considers this, hugging his bear tighter. “Like when I share my cookies with Tommy even though I don’t wanna?”
A laugh bubbles up, surprising me. “Yeah, buddy. Just like that.”
I pull him onto my lap, breathing in his little-kid smell of crayons and apple juice. “Tell you what. How about we play a game while Uncle Lenny gets food?”
His face lights up. “Hide and seek?”
I glance around the tiny room. Not much hiding space, but fuck it. “Sure, why not? You hide first, okay?”
He squeals with delight, scrambling out of my lap. I cover my eyes, counting loudly. “One… two… three…”
I hear him giggling, the rustle of fabric. When I open my eyes, there’s a suspiciously Alex-shaped lump under one of the beds.
“Oh no,” I say dramatically. “Where could Alex be? Is he… in the closet?” I make a show of checking the tiny closet.
More giggles from under the bed.
“Hmm, not there. Maybe… behind the curtains?” I pull back the grimy curtains.
“No, Momma! I here!” Alex pops out from under the bed, grinning from ear to ear.
I gasp in mock surprise. “There you are! You’re too good at this game, buddy.”
