“I’m aware the card is meant for kids,” I start, “but?—”
“But it’s got my favourite dinosaur on it!” she squeals as she shows off the card to the room. There’s a cartoon triceratops on the front and the wordsHappy Birthdayin bold bubble letters. The inside readsI hope your birthday is raaawsome.
Everyone laughs except Foster. “Who has a favourite dinosaur?” he asks seriously.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
Elliot rolls her eyes at us and digs in the bright pink bag before pulling out an oversized grey sweatshirt. She doesn’t say anything as she stares at the image on the front.
Maybe it was a stupid idea. Maybe I ordered it way too big. I just wanted it to be comfortable. Something she wore when she wanted to be cozy.
“It’s just…you’re always so cold,” I start.
Elliot looks around the sweater at me, her eyes misted with tears.
“It’s perfect.” She turns the sweatshirt around so everyone can see the well-known movie logo on the front.
“Our favourite movie!” Sam grins.
“Oh I loveJurassic Park!” Beth says.
“Classic,” Michaels adds appreciatively.
“I love it,” Elliot tells me as she hugs it to her chest. The happiness on her face is enough to make my chest feel all tight.
“I’m glad.” I clear my throat. “It’s lined with fleece on the inside, so hopefully it will be warm.”
“Thank you,” she says. “It’s so thoughtful. And so me.”
Finally, she opens Sam’s present. She tears off the hot pink wrapping paper to reveal a double picture frame. One side has a picture of her and Sam from when he was a baby, the other a selfie of them that looks like it was taken at a recent Otters game.
This time, she doesn’t fight the tears as she hauls Sam in for a hug.
“Thank you, sweetheart. I love it almost as much as I love you.” She kisses his hair before ruffling it. Her eyes meet mine and she gives me a smile, one I can’t help but return.
“Okay.” Sam wiggles out of her clutches. “Who wants cake?”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
ELLIOT
Nadine: Hey girl. I just wanted to let you know that the restraining order has been served.
Elliot: Thank you so much. Is there anything else you need me to do?
Nadine: No. If he attempts contact, you are to tell me right away, okay?
Elliot: Thank you again. I really appreciate you taking me on as a client.
Nadine: You are one of the few people my wife actually likes and therefore must be protected at all costs.
I smileat my lawyer’s message as I slip my phone back into my purse.
The day after my birthday dinner, Arthur and I sat down with Jess. I told her everything. I showed her every text Shawn sent and played each voicemail. After the initial shock of menot coming to her sooner wore off, she leapt into action. She helped me file an official report at her precinct, then she and Arthur came with me to my appointment with Nadine. Nadine took me on as her client without hesitation and immediately began the paperwork for a restraining order against Shawn.
That evening, after everything was done, I picked Sam up from chess club and took him to our favourite diner. Over greasy cheeseburgers I told him what had been happening with his dad.
It was hard. He was angry, hurt that I hadn’t told him sooner, and he had every right to be. I explained what was going to happen next and promised to keep him informed and involved in every step.
