“Frankie and the pups have been bugging me to set off the fireworks we bought from The Magic Shop, and I need backup to make sure no one blows themselves up.”
My kin were wonderful people, but not the best at following proper safety protocol. Still, I hesitated. “Can’t you see I’m not in the mood, Frito? Just let a man be.”
“Nope. You’re coming with me, boss. Moping around here isn’t going to bring him back any sooner, and I know how much you like blowing shit up.”
Well, he wasn’t wrong.
Up there on the mountaintop, watching fireworks light up the night sky, I couldn’t help but wonder where Skylar was at that moment. Had he made it safely down to the valley? Were members of the guard waiting there to arrest him? Whose ass was I gonna have to kick next? At least he had Monica in his corner. She seemed like a woman who could raise some hell.
“Russell, be careful with that wick. It’s a short fuse. Back up.Back up,” I shouted at one of Enid’s brood. She’d electedto stay home tonight with her husbands and cash in on her babysitting chip, warning me that if any of her litter came back with fewer fingers or toes, there’d be hell to pay.
Injury was avoided as the boy threw the firecracker high into the air and ran away screaming. The thing exploded like a comet, streaking across the night sky before fizzling into embers. The noise was so loud that I almost missed the buzz in my back pocket. I opened the summoner to see Skylar’s lovely face.
“Hi, Daddy, I just wanted to let you know that we arrived safely, and I’m here at Monica’s for the night.”
“Thanks for calling me, baby. How was the trip?”
“Long, but I survived. Monica kept me entertained as always.”
“And how are you?” I asked because he looked a little peaked and his features seemed sharper than usual. I couldn’t wait for him to come home so I could feed him honey cakes and fruit cobblers and all the treats that he liked so much.
“I’m fine,” he said with a weary smile. “Just a little tired from our travels.”
A sudden explosion from behind made me jump.
“Five minutes,” I called to the crowd, searching for some peace and privacy on the rocky mountain top.
“What are you up to?” Skylar asked.
“I’m out here with Frito and Frankie and Enid’s pups, setting off fireworks.”
“You’re not straining yourself are you?” he asked in a warning tone.
Another explosion rattled the ground beneath me. “Goddamnit, Frankie, what did I say?”
“Sorry, cuz,” he called back.
“I’m taking it easy,” I assured him. “Just supervising the chaos.”
“Sounds like fun. Goddess, I miss being there already,” Skylar said longingly.
“Do you?”
“Yes, and I miss you too, Daddy. All I want is to crawl under the covers and have you hold me right now.” He wrapped an arm around himself, a poor substitute for my own.
“I want that too, sweetheart. I can’t wait for you to come home.” His smile was a little sad, so I tried coaxing him to open up. “You can tell me, you know? Whatever it is that’s troubling you. If it’s punishment you’re worried about–”
“I’m not,” he said quickly.
“Then what is it?”
“I’m just… afraid,” he said softly, and just when I thought he might confide in me, another firecracker went off, so close that my nuts crawled up into my gut. “Goddamn you kids,” I hollered to a smattering of giggles.
“I’ll let you get back to it,” Skylar said. “Make sure you don’t tear your stitches. I’ll call you tomorrow morning?”
As disappointed as I was, I knew we couldn’t have this conversation right then. I was distracted and he was reluctant to share, but I vowed to get it out of him sooner or later.
“Anytime, sweetheart. I’m always available.”
