Page 6 of Zac

I worked eight hours today, on my feet, after a restless night of sleep.

My mind has been all over the place, stressing over everything I can’t change. It doesn’t help that Grant sent me three messages throughout the night asking to see me. He didn’t ask about Grayson, he needed to see me. It’s the game he plays, when things get rough he reaches out, hoping that I will pick up and he can somehow persuade me to bail him out.

“Momma,” Grayson yells out a little louder, pulling me out of my thoughts. I can feel myself slipping.

“Buddy, we have cookies at home.” I start to go around the woman that comes out of the aisle just as Gray screams out louder. This time he’s kicking his legs and throwing out his arms at the same time. I try my best to hurry along. Usually I don’t bring him along on the trips to the store but Lauren had an appointment she couldn’t miss and she had to bring him to me at work.

He starts to cry, leaning back toward the aisle we just passed and I can feel the tears starting to pool. I wish I could go home and hide in the bathroom with a bottle of wine. I miss wine.

“Cookies,” Grayson cries, and I feel like crying right along with him. People are looking at me as they pass like I’m a terrible mother that is neglecting my child. I’m teetering on a nervous breakdown or so it feels.

“Presley.” Someone lays their hand on my shoulder and I glance back just as Craig, Bree’s father, steps in closer to my side. “I thought that was you.”

Our eyes connect and it’s like he turned on the faucet as my tears spill over and begin running down my cheeks.

“Oh no.” He grabs me and pulls me in for a hug. “Why the tears?”

Why seeing him pushes me over the edge I don’t know, but it does.

Grayson is whimpering, I am a blubbering mess and a part of me feels sorry for Craig. Poor guy just said hi and now he is forced to console both me and Gray.

“Cookies,” Grayson cries, and I pull back, looking at my son. My heart instantly aches at how sad he looks.

“I have cookies at home,” I tell Craig. “I guess I just should have gotten more.” Instead of bread, maybe, or juice.

I watch as Craig reaches out for my son and he lifts him into his arms. Grayson lays his head on his shoulder and the tears pool once more. I’m so incredibly grateful for Bree’s father. He has taken Grayson in without pause. From the start he has treated my son as if he is part of his family. Calling him his grandson when talking to anyone, it’s heartwarming, and Grayson adores him too.

“Why don’t you let me take him for the night?” he asks, slightly rocking him from side to side. “I don’t have anything tomorrow until after two and I can drop him off.”

“No, you don’t have to do that.”

“I know I don’t have to, but I want to. It’s been awhile since me and this little man had a boys’ night.” Gray lifts his head and looks at Craig. “What do you think, bud? Movies and popcorn?”

Immediately Grayson has long forgotten about the cookies and his sad little eyes light up. He laughs, hugging Craig’s neck and my throat burns with so many emotions.

“Go home, take a long bath, have yourself a drink,” he tells me and I smile, wishing more than anything I could do just that. “I’ve told you over and over, Sonya and I are here. You need a break, you reach out, we enjoy having Grayson, anytime.”

‘Thank you.” This man, he is a gem. Looking at him you’d never guess he was such a softy with the little ones. Covered with tattoos, bulging muscles, and on most days a scowl, most would never approach him. But he is like a father to all of us. He hovers, he protects, and his heart is bigger than any other person’s I’ve met.

“Wait, I don’t have any extra clothes for him.” Craig only smiles and leans in to give me a hug.

“We have clothes for him at our place. Booster seat is always in the backseat waiting and the spare bedroom is already set up with a race car bed.” I stare at him and he only chuckles. “I told you, he’s got a place in my home, sweetheart. I meant what I said, now Papa is gonna take my man home for some fun.” He kisses my cheek and walks off like it’s just another day.

After paying for my groceries, I unload the cart into my truck and then climb behind the wheel. I lean my forehead on the steering wheel and lose it. I never cry like this. I am not ever this emotional, I’ve dealt with some heavy shit and have grown desensitized to trauma. Tears fix nothing, I learned that a long time ago.

Yet here I am bawling like a baby.

* * *

I’ve been home for an hour when there is a knock on my door. I’m bundled up on my couch, staring at the television that isn’t even turned on. I’ve been sitting in that same position, lost deep in my thoughts.

Another knock. I stand and walk quietly toward the door, unsure of who it could be. When I look through the peephole and find Aurora on the opposite side, my chest grows tight all over again.

Sliding open the lock, I flip the deadbolt and pull open the door and I am instantly floored.

Aurora, Luna, and Bree are there offering me smiles. Holding up bags, they are all wearing pajamas and I can’t help but laugh.

“We’re having a sleepover,” Luna states.

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