“Tell them how I found you?” When I nodded, he smiled before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “Sure. I could do that.”
There were other things I should’ve said, things that might’ve made sense or mattered or proved I was still here, but the words wouldn’t come. Instead, I tucked my head backinto the space between Evander’s collarbone and jaw, letting the warmth of him close out the rest of the world.
His voice rumbled through his chest, low and steady, a vibration more than sound. I didn’t catch the words he was saying. I just let them wash over me, let the calm in his tone settle the shaking in my hands, let the quiet certainty of his presence hold me together while he explained to my parents how he’d found me.
I drifted on the sound of him, half away, half asleep, wrapped in the safety of his arms and the crackle of the campfire.
I might’ve slipped under completely if not for the soft tremor of Mama’s voice reaching me through the haze.
“You’ve been so close this entire time and we never even though to look there. Never even questioned it.” Her voice was defeated. “Do you know who…”
“Took him? No. it could have been nearly anyone,” Evander answered.
“He…he said you were waiting for me at the entrance. And then I went with him. I didn’t know….” I was eight years old. I didn’t understand what was going on. “I…. Later. They said you were dead. They had pictures.”
“Oh, honey,” Mama’s voice broke even more.
“I know that’s not true. Now, at least. But for ten years, I thought you were. Because no one found me. No one came looking. And…. But Evy found me. And now I have everyone again and it’s a bit too much to handle so soon but I’m trying.”
“And that’s all that matters,” Evander spoke up loud enough that everyone could hear. “You are all welcome to come by and visit, but also please respect any boundaries either of us put down.”
“Of course,” Dad replied. “We…understand.”
After a few more minutes, their voices once again just murmurs and not reaching me, Evander asked a question that I almost wished would have been spoken sooner.
“Would you like to go home?”
Home.
I nodded, more than ready to go.
“We are gonna head out. It’s been a long day.” With a pat on my leg, I stood.
“I’ll bring the gifts over to you tomorrow, dear. Have a good night.”
“Mom…” Evander sighed.
“Don’t tell me what I can’t do, young man. I’d get him something either way. Every day if I could get away with it.” Maren’s voice was more humor than strict, causing Evander to let out a laugh.
“Sure Ma. Just join the club.”
“Can…. I call tomorrow?” Laura asked, voice small like she feared Evander was going to say no.
“Of course. Call my cell. I plan to get Kasey his own this week.”
With that, Evander wrapped around me and guided me away from the fire, keeping me tucked against his side as we crossed the yard. The night air felt cooler on my face, the grass soft under my shoes, and the house glowed ahead of us. The yellow light spilled across the back porch.
Neither of us spoke. Not while we stepped up the porch steps. Not while Evander opened the door with one hand, and the other around me. Not while the quiet of the house settled around us like a blanket.
It wasn’t until our shoes were off that Evander finally turned towards me.
“You did good out there.” He led me further into the house, stopping in the kitchen and getting us both something to drink.
“I didn’t…I didn’t mean to fall apart.” I whispered.
“You didn’t fall apart. You got overwhelmed. Anyone would.” He handed me a cold cup of water. “You didn’t second guess your actions. You didn’t try to be someone you weren’t. That’s what matters.”
He took the cup from me after I took a drink, setting it aside. “I’m very proud of you, Honeybee. So proud. You spoke to your parents; you stood on your ground. You didn’t run away or try to hide.”
