Page 42 of I Am Salvation

“Griffin?”

“Your daughter. She was taken a couple of months after you abandoned me because you thought I had done something horrific to her. I told you then that I didn’t do it, and it’s still the truth. You abandoned me anyway. Even after someone took her, and then you knew it couldn’t have been me in the first place. You never came to get me, Mother. So you’re right. Now you have no children.” I turn to walk away.

“Wait!”

I turn back. I can see the dog’s ribs. “I’m taking the dog with me. When’s the last time you fed him?”

“I haven’t had much food to feed myself,” she says.

“How do you pay rent here, then?”

“I’m on disability,” she says.

“You don’t look like you’re starving,” I say. “You don’t deserve to have this animal. Come on, Teddy.”

The dog follows me eagerly to the car. I knock on the window.

Diana unlocks the car.

“We’re taking this dog with us,” I say.

“Dragon…”

“I’m not leaving him here. The poor thing is starving. We need to stop at a store and get some dog food.”

“Of course we’re not leaving him.” She looks Teddy up and down, her eyes glistening. “I grew up around animals, Dragon. I love them. I’m not going to let this poor dog starve. I’m just not sure what to do with him is all. We’re staying in a hotel.”

Teddy scrambles into the car, and I turn to walk to the driver’s side.

To my surprise, the woman is now outside on the lawn. She motions me back.

“What is it?” I ask, walking back.

“I have regrets,” is all she says.

I stand, staring at her. At this woman who gave me life. Who was once so beautiful and happy. It can’t be easy to lose a child. Of course, she abandoned one as well.

“What happened to my father?” I ask.

“A heart attack,” she says. “A couple of months ago.”

“Do you know anything about what happened to Griffin?”

“No. Do you?” She takes a step toward me. “Do you know what they did to her body?”

“No,” I say. “But I am going to find out.”

She sniffles. “Would it help if I told you I’m sorry?”

I scoff. “No. It wouldn’t help one single fucking bit.”

I turn my back on the woman who bore me. But then I think better of it.

I have no desire to reconcile with this woman who abandoned me when I was at my most vulnerable. Who did nothing to find me once it was made clear that I had nothing to do with Griffin getting attacked.

But there might be something in her house that could help me find Griffin. Or at least learn more about her, see if there’s some connection I’m not seeing yet.

“May I come in?” I ask.

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