Page 49 of Rocky

“Why do you wish your dad was like Mr. Rocky?”

“My dad is mean to you, and he doesn’t like to play with me. Mr. Rocky is nice to you, and he plays with me all the time at the center.”

“Do you remember the last time your father was at our house?”

“Yes. I called Mr. Rocky because Dad was being mean to you. Mr. Rocky told me to hide in the closet.”

“Was that the first time you saw your father being mean to me?”

“No. He’s mean to you all the time, Mommy. You tell me to go to my room, but I can hear him being mean.”

“Is he ever mean to you?”

“He yells a lot.”

“Does he hit you?”

“Sometimes he pushes me, or he squeezes my arm really hard. My daddy isn’t a nice person, Mommy. I would like it if Mr. Rocky was your boyfriend.”

I was at a loss for words and on the verge of tears. Before I could process all my son had told me, a knock on my window startled me. It was a police officer, so I let my window down halfway.

“Are you Rue Abrams?” I nodded. “Mr. Rush sent me to get you.”

“Okay. Let me get our things.”

The officer walked away, and I took a moment to compose myself. I thought I’d protected Briar from Deacon’s wrath all this time. Rocky told me Briar probably knew more than I thought, and he was right.

A few minutes later, Briar and I were in the back of an unmarked police car. He took us directly to Rocky, and I couldn’t get to him fast enough. Although he didn’t know what was racing through my mind, he received me with open arms.

However, something must have felt off because he walked us to a less populated area to ensure we were okay. I could see the concern on his face, but I didn’t want to tell him what Briar had shared with me because it would ruin his mood. He had enough on his plate today.

“I can tell something is wrong, Rue. I won’t be able to focus on everything I need to do today if I’m worried about you. Tell me.”

“Briar, do you see RJ over there?” I pointed to RJ playing basketball with some other boys.

“Can I go, Mommy?”

“Yes, but don’t go anywhere else without letting me know.”

“Okay.” He ran off, and I watched him until he made it safely to the other boys.

“Briar knows about us,” I told him.

“Is that why you’re upset?”

“No.” I shared the conversation I had with Briar with him.

“I wish I could say I’m surprised, but kids are way more observant than adults give them credit for. I knew my father was an asshole who abused my mother well before he took her life. She tried to hide it, but it was impossible.”

“He said Deacon pushes him and squeezes his arm really hard sometimes. I can’t believe I allowed him to be alone with my son. What if?—”

“He didn’t, so don’t go there. You and Briar are safe, and I won’t let him hurt either of you anymore.”

He pulled me into another hug and kissed the top of my head.

“Thank you. I should let you get back to work. Are your grandparents here?”

“Nah. Remember I told you they were going out of town to attend a wedding?”

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