Page 189 of Buried Too Deep

“Why does Phin have a service dog?”

“Because I get anxious,” Phin said. “I can’t stop it, and it’s not fun.”

Jenny nodded. “Dogs are good.”

“They are,” he agreed.

They were quiet for a few heartbeats, waiting. For what, Phin wasn’t sure.

Finally, Cora said, “Jenny, we wanted to talk to you about something that happened to you a long time ago. Right before you came here.”

The aide’s eyes widened, but she held her tongue. For the moment anyway. Phin was expecting her to call for security any minute, but she didn’t.

“Long time,” Jenny agreed. She sighed quietly. “Such a long time.”

Cora’s expression was pained before she regained her composure, her lips curving in a kind smile. “I met your daughter today,” she said softly.

Jenny’s head swung around, her eyes narrowed. “You see ghosts?”

Cora, to her credit, didn’t flinch at the sudden movement. “No, Jenny. She’s real. Not a ghost.”

Jenny shook her head. “She can’t be,” she said flatly. “She’s dead.”

Cora took a little longer to wipe the pain from her face this time. “Who told you that?”

Jenny turned back to the television. “Father. He said she died.” She held her chin high, but two tears rolled down her cheeks. “My baby died.”

Cora met Phin’s eyes, hers sad and uncertain.

Phin went down on one knee in front of Jenny. He knew that the woman was aware of his presence. Her jaw clenched as she gazed steadfastly ahead.

The aide was watching in fascination.

Phin hoped they were doing the right thing.

“Your father didn’t tell you the truth,” Phin said quietly. “I’m sorry.”

Jenny shook her head, her eyes fixed on the television. “No.”

SodaPop squeezed between them, one side pressed into Phin’s bent knee, the other into Jenny’s legs. Phin stroked her back. “Good girl,” he murmured.

“She is a good girl,” Jenny said, but she made no move to touch SodaPop. “I like dogs. She’s working, though.”

“She is. Thank you for not distracting her from her job.”

“She’s warm,” Jenny whispered.

“She is.” Phin hesitated, then sighed. “Jenny, I’m sorry to have to ask you this, but…do you remember the father of your baby?”

Jenny froze, her only movement the shallow rise and fall of her chest as she breathed. She closed her eyes as two more tears slid down her cheeks.

After what seemed like a lifetime, she nodded. “He’s gone.”

“Dead?” Phin asked, because gone could mean different things.

“No. Sent away. Like me.”

So she knew she’d been sent away. New rage bubbled in Phin’s gut, but he kept his voice gentle. Kept his fingers in SodaPop’s coat. “Why, Jenny? Why was he sent away?”

---