Page 134 of Broken Grump

She faces straight again but clutches her chest, right above her heart.

That’s a good sign, no?

I then offer her my hand, and she surprises me by accepting it. “Come on,” I insist, gesturing with my head.

“There’s something else?”

“It’s just something silly. Look.” I bring her over closer to the tree, and I show her a piece of wood that’s been lacquered and nailed at just about her eye level.

She uses her fingers to trace the letters, and she reads out loud, “Addie Flores.”

I lean one hand against the large trunk. “Yep, the very talented mastermind behind this magical place. I know it’s always beenyour dream to have your name on a building, Addie. Well, here it is. It seemed only fitting, given that this was your first creation, after all.”

She sniffles before gazing up at me again. “I just can’t believe you did this. Thank you.”

“It’s only just the beginning. I saw a therapist. My own, I mean. She specializes in childhood trauma.”

“You did?”

“I did.”

“That’s great, Hayden.”

“Yes. And I’m going to keep seeing her until I get most of my shit figured out. I’m so, so sorry for everything I’ve put you through, Addie. Genuinely, I’m so sorry. I know I’ll never be able to make up for the hurt I’ve caused you. But, if you let me, I’m going to keep trying to do just that. I’ll never stop. Just please. Please don’t take the two most important things in my life away from me.”

“And just what two things might that be?” she asks with a cheeky grin.

Of course.“I think you mean who.”

She smiles and bites the corner of her lip.

I step closer and grab her hand, stroking the back of it with my thumb. “It’s you and Luna, Adds. I know I’ve done a crap job of showing it, but you two are the most important people in my world. Heck, you twoaremy world. Like I wrote in one of those notes, I don’t want to know what my life looks like without you and Luna.”

Moments later, Luna pokes her head out of one of the windows.

“Um, hello? What’s taking you so long? Come up and see, Mommy!”

We look at each other and laugh before I hold the ladder steady. “Careful now!” I call up to her when she’s a little more than halfway there.

“I got it, I got it,” she insists. But a momentary slip tells another story. Still, she does her best to cover it up and remain stoic. “I’m fine.”

Once she’s in, I also climb up.

“Well?” I didn’t have the plans for the inside, but I tried my best to assume what a teenage Addie had envisioned for the place. Fortunately, I also had the movieNow and Then,a favorite of hers, to rely upon as well.

She uses her hand to cover her mouth. “It’s exactly like I pictured it.”

Yes!Internally, I’m pumping my fist.

“It’s just—it’s just perfect.” Before long, she slumps down and cradles one of the pink throw pillows.

“I’m so glad you like it.”

On the chalkboard wall, Luna is busy scribbling away.

“Look, Hayden! It’s you!” she announces after a bit. It’s an impressive likeness, I have to admit. Although my nose is way pointier than in real life. When I point this out to her, she just howls with laughter and says I look like The Child Catcher fromChitty Chitty Bang Bang.

I tickle at her sides before glancing at Addie and questioning her parenting style. “You let her watch that terrifying movie?”

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