Page 179 of Mind Games

Thank you, Thea.

He checked the contents twice.

Spill-proof water bottle, a juice box, the spare set of clothes, including boxers—in case—a nap mat, the chosen monster truck, a box of crayons, glue sticks, sunscreen.

Everything labeled, as advised.

As the clock ticked down, his nerves rose up.

“Hey, Bray, I could drive you into school, go in with you just to—”

“No, Daddy! I ride the bus. I ride with Lucas and Rolan!”

If a not-quite-five-year-old could look genuinely appalled, Bray pulled it off masterly.

“Right. Just an option. Now, you remember what we talked about. You listen to your teacher, share with the other kids. And don’t say any daddy words.”

“Okay.”

“Okay. Okay. It’s almost time for the bus, so let’s put on your backpack.”

As he helped Bray put on the backpack, as he smoothed his little boy’s hair, the love almost flattened him.

Why couldn’t he just keep him, keep him right here, close, safe?

Not the job, he reminded himself. Not the way it needed to work. And that was the bitch of it.

“You’re going to have fun.”

“So much fun.”

“Right. Okay. Go stand by the door so I can take your picture.”

He took one there, one on the porch. Then heard the bus rumbling up the road.

“Remember to wait until it stops.”

“I know, Daddy!”

He held Bray’s hand as they walked toward the road, and those doors opened into the maw of the bus.

“Hi there!” The driver, a woman with a bowl of steel-gray hair, beamed out. “I’m Miss Sally. And you must be Braydon.”

“I’m going to school.”

“You sure are. Come on aboard.”

Ty struggled not to clutch, made himself keep the kiss light and easy. “Off you go, pal. Turn around once, yeah, right there.”

He took a picture of Bray, face just glowing, on the steps of the yellow bus.

“Bye, Daddy, bye!”

“He sure is ready,” Miss Sally said when Bray walked right on.

“Yeah, he’s ready.”

Guess I’m not, Ty thought as the driver gave a wave and the doors shut.

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