Page 86 of Letters to the Lost

“Cupcake! I’d like you to meet my mom!”

“Oh sweetheart, I am so happy to finally meet you,” Kathleen says, “And this is Chase.” She gestures to the little boy hiding behind her legs, his big brown eyes staring at everything in fear.

“Hello, it’s lovely to meet you. Dominic has told me so much about you,” I reply feeling more at ease when she doesn’t try to initiate any contact with me.

Crouching down, I look to Chase and try my best to smile reassuringly at him. The role I played with Chlo slipping back with ease.

“It’s crazy in here huh?” I coax him, “What if I told you I could find you a super quiet corner to hide in with my iPad that you could play games on?”

“Really?” he peeks out from behind Kathleen a bit more, looking up at her with a wide smile.

“Only if it’s ok with Kathleen. I promise you’ll be able to see each other at all times, but no one else will bother you.”

“Only if you are sure sweetheart?” Kathleen says a thankful smile on her face as she looks between me and Chase who is now standing beside her.

“One hundred percent. I have lots of fun games on it too. Do you likeSonic the Hedgehog?” I ask Chase.

“Uh-huh. Is that the racing game?” he nods his little head like a bobblehead, his chestnut brown hair falling in his eyes as he does.

“Still no luck with the haircut?” Dominic inquires, his eyes concerned.

“Nope. Freaks out the moment a pair of scissors comes near him,” she tells him solemnly.

“I could maybe help. I’m no hairdresser but I would cut Chlo’s hair sometimes and it didn’t look terrible,” I offer.

“Thank you, Autumn. I’m willing to try anything at this point, I struggle to put a brush through it,” she says thankfully.

“Honestly, it’s no problem. I’ll get Dominic to bring me out to you at some point and we can try to get it done,” I say standing up and making my way to the coffee table where my tablet is laid.

“Here you go, buddy. A nice quiet corner with lots of games,” I smile, handing Chase my tablet, and showing him the comfy chair that I have by the big window.

“Isn’t this cozy?” Dad sounds from behind me, startling me.

“It is. Just putting Chase here so he’s not too overwhelmed but Kathleen can keep an eye on him,” I say to Dad before turning back to the little boy who is now cuddled up on the chair already engrossed inSonic.

Walking away from Chase, I smile at Kathleen before seeking out Tobias. Dad following behind my retreating back makes me feel on edge, and I know I’m close to spiraling.

I have no clue why he’s so worked up tonight, his presence only serving one purpose of making me feel uneasy as his breath smells like vodka.

I know Mrs. McKay says he can be a good dad, that he’s struggling with how to cope with me being back and how he found me.

But I feel no love from him, not anymore.

“Babygirl. How about that break now?” Tobias comes up to me, his hand palm up ready for me to take so he can rescue me.

He must read the distress on my face once I reach him because he doesn’t even wait for my response as he whisks me out of the room and towards the patio.

“You ok?” Tobias asks me, pulling me into his chest.

“I’m ok. I just feel like my dad is trying to corner me at any chance and it’s still a lot being around everyone. Are you ok?” I ask him.

“I’m fine. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“I just worry. You are the only one here without their parents here and I don’t want you to feel left out,” I say to him, burrowing myself further into his chest, his heartbeat against my ear soothing some of my anxiety.

“I promise I’m ok Babygirl. I wouldn’t want him here anyway and honestly; I’ve grown up with the guy's parents the last few years they feel like family anyway.”

“I’m glad you had that,” I tell him honestly.

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