Page 40 of No One Like You

“I’m glad that they could help you.”

“Me too. I really hope that one day I find love like they have.”

“Yeah, I’d like that, too. Megan, can I ask you for a favor?”

“Of course, Tasha. Anything?”

“I miss having Momma hold me. Can you hold me like I did for you a few days ago? I just need that right now.”

“Of course! Come here and Mama Megan will make it all better.”

“Okay, don’t make it weird.”

“Sorry.”

Once she finished snuggling next to Megan, Tasha asked, “So, what’s going on with Brad?”

“That… Well, after my meeting with Maria, she had some questions that I needed to answer. I sent her those answers earlier today. So, now she’s working on drawing up the documents. I’m planning to meet Brad on Sunday after lunch. I’m really worried, though.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s promised so many things to me and then broken my trust. I’m worried that he’ll tell me that he’ll make these changes to be a good father to Sophia and that I’ll believe him, only to be betrayed again.”

“Yeah, I get that.”

They stayed like that for a while, just enjoying each other’s presence and the companionable silence.

Eventually, Tasha stirred and said, “Megan, I have a thought.”

“Hmmm?”

“Let me meet Brad on Sunday.”

“What? Why?”

“You said it yourself. You trust him too easily. Me, on the other hand, I never liked that boy and I never trusted him. I love… I love Sophia with all my heart and I will never let Brad hurt her, or you, if I can help it. So, let me help. Brad can’t bullshit me. That rudeness and arrogance that he showed in the park isn’t going to fly. And we both know where he was going with that ‘Anglo-Saxon values’ trash, too. That boy is a toxic mix of racism and sexism right now, and neither of you need that in your life. So, if I believe him that he’s gonna get his shit together for Sophia’s sake, then you’ll know it’s true.”

“You’d do that for Sophia?”

“Damn right I would! I would walk through Hell for that girl. You best believe that I consider talking with Brad to be at least a bit of Hell.”

“Thank you, Tasha. Let me think about that.”

“Sounds good. Oh, while I talk to Brad, you can take Sophia to roller derby. There’s a juniors doubleheader on Sunday.”

“That’s a good idea. Either way, one of us should take her to that.”

“Okay, we need to go to bed. If I stay here any longer we are never gonna leave.”

“This is nice, though, right?”

“It is. Anyone ever told you that your boobs make good pillows?”

“What?”

Tasha grinned devilishly at Megan as she untangled herself from her. “Just sayin’. Definitely more comfortable than my regular pillow.”

“Stop, or I’ll never give you Mama hugs again,” Megan whined at her.

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