“Jay? Is that you?” she calls out and I close my eyes. The fear in her voice reminds me of her darker days.
“It’s me, darlin’.”
“You left me, you didn’t come back.”
“I’m back now.”
I listen to the lock opening and I step back a little when the door starts to open. Her arm shoots out and she yanks on my sleeve until I'm pulled over the threshold. The air is stifling and the heat clings to me.
She slams the door shut and locks it again. Her hands pat down my body and land softly on my cheeks.
“You’re really here?”
Her eyes are brimming with tears, but not one drops.
“I’m here, baby. I'm home.”
Reaching up, she kisses me and that’s when her tears escape.
I return the kiss, needing her as much as she needs me, until I hear, “Daddy!”
Releasing Harper, I kneel to pick up Gunner as he runs toward me. I brace my shoulder for impact.
“Have you been looking after Momma?”
He nods but looks over my shoulder to Harper. “Mommy is sad.”
“I know, you go watch your cartoons and I’ll make you some dinner.”
Once he’s out of ear shot, I ask Harper, “What are you doing in Shane’s house?”
“It’s where we live now. I picked it when I thought you were dead, and I was left on my own. It's not like he needs it now.”
“Babe, a little harsh, no?”
“Still true.” She disappears into the kitchen, and I walk around ripping down the sheets and unlocking and opening the windows.
The cool breeze floating in is welcome and Gunner grins up at me as I ruffle his hair on my way to the kitchen.
“We’re running out of food, now you’re home, I'll run to the store. Not literally run, but you know what I mean.”
Her rapid speech and her frantic movements tell me she probably hasn’t taken a single pill since I left.
“Mom can make us something, I don’t want you out of my sight.”
She relaxes and smiles carefree. “I’m so happy you’re home, you don’t know how tired I am.”
“I’m pretty tired myself. I'm gonna take Gunner over to my mom, and grab us some food.”
“Don’t leave!”
“I won’t be long and then me and you are gonna have this whole house to ourselves.”
Her smile is radiant and she nods. “Okay, I’m going to take a quick shower. Don’t be long.”
“I won’t.”
My shoulder is killing me and the thought of carrying Gunner weighs on me. Standing the living room doorway, I say, “Come on, son, let’s go see grandma.”
