Page 117 of Finish Line

She holds Carter tight. “I’m scared.”

“There is nothing to be scared about. Come on, give me Carter. I’ll wait out here with him while you go in.”

She hands me Carter, and I say go. Carter repeats the word back to her, and she enters.

Shelby steps out the door after Lea enters and stands with me while I hold my nephew, letting my sister spend time with Mom and Dad.

After several minutes pass, I look down at Carter. “You ready to meet Grandma and Pap Pap?”

He nods, almost as nervous as his mother.

I step into the house. Mom and Dad have Lea sandwiched between them, crying.

“Mommy, no cry,” Carter says.

Mom and Dad’s heads pop up. Mom gasps. Lea stands up and heads over, taking Carter from me. Lea walks back to where Mom and Dad sit, frozen on the couch.

“Mom, Dad, this is Carter.” Lea turns Carter to face them. “Baby, this is your grandma and grandpa.”

Mom recovers first, standing up and wiping the tears from her cheeks as she approaches Lea and Carter.

“Hello, Carter. I’m your grandma.” She holds her hands out. “Can I hold you?”

He looks at his mom, who nods, and he leans forward, arms out. “Ndma.”

Dad stands beside Mom, gazing down at their grandson. “He looks like you, Lea.”

Carter lays his head on Mom’s shoulders and starts sucking his thumb. “He’s tired,” Mom says. “It’s been an eventful day.” She rocks him from side to side. “You ready to see your new room, little man?”

He nods his tired head.

“I’ll grab the rest of the stuff we bought so you can set it up.” The tension releasing from my chest as my family settles back in together.

“I’ll help you bring in their stuff, then I’m heading home,” Shelby states.

I turn to Shelby, who stands by the front door, giving us space for this moment.

“It’s nice to meet you, Shelby,” Lea says.

“You, too, Lea. I’ll see you around.” Shelby waves before she steps out onto the porch.

Mom and Lea take Carter upstairs. Shelby and Dad help bring in the items I bought.

“Don’t leave. I’ll walk you home, but I want to take this up first.” I hesitate at the base of the stairs. I’ll drop the bags here and follow her if she tries to leave.

My family is safe here. But she isn’t, and she means the world to me.

She sighs and leans against the wall.

I run the crib that will convert into a bed when Carter is big enough up to Lea’s room, where she and Mom sit on the bed, talking, then run back down.

Dad follows me to where Shelby waits, hugging her and saying good night. I open the door for her to go through, then take her hand.

“Nick wants to talk to you,” Shelby says as we walk across the street. “I told him we’re on our way over.”

“Okay. Thank you so much for coming with me today. It means a lot to me.” I squeeze her hand.

She stops on the edge of her lawn and turns toward me. “You mean a lot to me. I’m so glad everything turned out fine. I’m worried that everyone you and I care about is under one roof. It’ll be easier to take them.”

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