Page 24 of Bone Dust

I study his expression, meeting his eyes. There’s no trace of annoyance on his face, only an understanding expression.

I lift Gigi from the booster seat and sit her on my lap. Her crying has reduced to hiccups and, embarrassed and seeking comfort, she hides her face in my chest. Her unexpected move turned a civil dinner into chaos, but she’s repentant and, like Ian said, she’s only three. I tighten my arms around her. Like any mother, I’m not immune to my child’s cries.

“Momma, I sorry,” she mumbles through her sobs.

“Shh.” I console. “It’s okay, sweetie. I’m sure it won’t happen again—right?”

“No, Momma.” She promises shakily.

Planting a soft kiss on top of her head, I hold her close as she shyly peeks out from behind her fingers to steal glances at Ian.

He smiles warmly at her. "It's alright, kiddo. I'm not mad."

Our eyes meet, and I can feel something’s changed. An unexplainable connection between us has occurred. It's as if the barrier around my heart begins to crack. Gigi removes her hand from her face and spreads her fingers so she can see Ian through the gaps. My gaze follows him as he stands up and, with my guard slowly falling, my shoulders relax. Ian smiles at me before making his way to the bathroom—most likely to clean off the goop—but surprises us all by stopping in front of Gigi and me.

"BOO!"

Gigi jumps then giggles as Ian acts playful. Just as quickly she shyly buries her face back into my chest.

With a sudden movement, Ian straightens up and turns away, appearing to go about his task, but with a swift motion, he snaps back on the other side of me, crouching down at Gigi’s eye level.

"BOO!" he exclaims again, causing Gigi to burst into a fit of delighted laughter. The tension in the air dissipates like a puff of smoke and I can't help but smile at the sight as her delight gains traction and a giggle blooms into a belly laugh.

"Youse silly, E-ban," Gigi says, sitting up to beam at him.

"You're not the first person who's told me that," he responds with a grin. As he looks over at me, his posture straightens, and he speaks again. "Looks like she still has some sauce on her fingers. You might want to wash her hands at the sink."

I take Gigi's hand in mine for inspection and notice the traces of sticky sauce that still linger. "It's under your nails, Gigi. Let's go wash up." I scoop my arm under her bottom and lift her as I stand. She wraps her arms around my neck but tries to break away so she can walk.

"Momma, I want E-ban to take me," she insists, looking up at Ian with pleading eyes. I bend over and she scrambles away until she’s beside him. She takes his hand, looking up at him. “You take me, E-ban?”

By his reaction, he seems momentarily caught off guard and looks from her to me. "Is this okay with you?"

I nod in approval and watch as they walk down the hallway towards the bathroom. Once they've disappeared, I turn to Sam, completely stunned.

"What just happened?"

"What do you mean?" Sam asks innocently.

"She never acts like that—I don't understand."

"She's just a kid, Savi," he reassures me.

"But ... she's never done anything like this before."

"Ian seems fine and no worse for wear. I wouldn't worry about it," he says with a shrug of his shoulders.

A whirlwind of emotions crashes into me, demanding clarity.

"Why is he here? Why did you bring him to Mad Dog?” My voice trembles. “You know about his struggles with drugs and alcohol."

Sam's response is calm and confident, "I do know about it, and it used to be a problem. But trust me, because there ain't much I don't know about Ian; he's not the same person he was when he overdosed. He's been in recovery for nearly four years now."

My eyebrows shoot up in disbelief. "And you think it's a good idea for him to be in a bar?"

Sam doesn't flinch. "I'm in a bar too, Savi, and I'm a drunk. But I'm clean."

He holds my gaze firmly, but I can't help feeling hesitant. "And Ian? Are you positive he’s really sober?"

---