Page 16 of Tripp

“There are some in the bathroom closet. Top shelf.” She set the little girl on the floor, and she toddled off. Phoenix was right. She had long curly hair. It was a dark blonde, almost brown.

On my way out of the room, I watched them move toward the living area. Lord, grant me the strength I’d need today.

“Mama.”

“I’m right here, Penny. Do you want cereal?”

“Boosbays!”

I watched in fascination as Penny waddled to the fridge, her chubby little hand slapping against the door.

“Blueberries it is.” Casey smiled, opened the fridge, and pulled a carton of berries out. She grabbed a knife and a bowl and was trying to figure out how to get it all to the table with her crutches. I took them to the table for her.

“We got breakfast tacos from a place in town. Egg with potato, chorizo, steak, and they had plain egg and cheese. I wasn’t sure what everyone would want.”

“You had me at tacos...” She shrugged, her smile making her face light up.

“Can we talk about your case while we eat? I want to try and help out since you’re down. You keep whatever money is involved; I’m just helping out.”

Phoenix didn’t hesitate to stoop down, looking Penny over. “Can I put you in your chair?”

The little one looked from him to her mama, her finger in her mouth. When Casey nodded, the little one raised her arms. “Ups.”

“Ups indeed.” He chuckled, putting her in the chair. It was a glorified booster seat that was strapped to an empty chair. It put her at just the right height to reach the table.

“Can you find an egg and potato? This kid is like her mama, loves the starches.” Casey poked the little one’s cheek.

Phoenix moved to grab a few paper plates off the counter, while I grabbed drinks from the fridge. I fixed Penny some apple juice, watering it down a bit again, as instructed. Finally, with everything in place, we joined her at the table. We passed around the tacos, salsa, and hot sauce.

“Mama has?” Penny opened her mouth wide just as Casey broke off a piece of a taco.

“Yes, you can have some too. Here you go. Hold onto it.”

“Hots. Hots,” she said waving it.

“Blow on it.” The little girl did, and let me tell you, it was the cutest damn thing I’d ever seen. I found myself getting lost in memories. I’d missed a lot of Phoenix’s younger years. The military, especially when you move to a special forces team, means long periods apart. The kid never held it against me. I was thankful for that. I didn’t want to be away; it was just how life went.

“How old is she?” I asked, already knowing.

Casey looked between Phoenix and me. Her gaze knowing.

“Two years and about 4ish months.”

“Why not be one of those people who says she’s fifty-six weeks or,” Phoenix paused, then chuckled, “eight-hundred and fifty-two days old.”

Casey laughed loudly, her hand going to cover her mouth. “Oh God. I can’t math like that. I’d rather just say almost two and a half. People should know that means…” she counted on her fingers, “twenty-eight months?”

I chuckled. “Please stick with two and a half. Or whatever.” I finished off one taco, wiping my mouth to make sure my beard wasn’t wearing crumbs.

“I—I’m sorry. I should have told you.” She took a bite of her own taco before breaking off another smaller piece for Penny.

“I’m not mad. Shocked, a little in denial, but not mad. You had your own reasons. I’ve not been the most reliable man.”

“There was so much happening back then. Before, I mean. Neither of us were in a place to try and make something work. And after Manny…I needed time to myself. To heal. And this little one gave me the strength to do that. You gave me that and didn’t even know it.”

She wiped at the tears rolling down her cheeks. I slid out of the chair to kneel beside her. My hands engulfed her smaller hand.

“Please don’t cry.” I reached up with my free hand to cup her face. “If you can trust me, give me a chance now; I’d like to be here for you and Penny. I am ready to be the man you need me to be.”

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