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“I love you too, Ty.”

“I’m gonna need you two to stop doing that, or I’m gonna make one of you sit up front.”

“Yes, sir,” we agree in unison, our hands clutching between us.

The police radio crackles, “Lyndell Wicawiil is at the Mountain Lion Manor. Hotel staff have him settled in a booth in the restaurant with a bowl of ice cream.” The dispatcher or whoever is updating us says with a smile in their voice.

“Is he ok? Is he hurt?” I ask, leaning forward eagerly.

“He’s eating ice cream. I’m sure he’s fine.” I’ll believe it when I see him with my own two eyes. Edee and I are restless on the drive over, our knees bouncing, our fingers twitching, my heart racing out of my chest.

As soon as the vehicle stops, I try opening the door, but it’s locked…because it’s a police car. Duh. The officer opens the door for me and I’m out like a rocket, nearly running into the automatic doors that slide open too slowly. Edee’s on my heels as we enter the on-site restaurant. I hear him sniffling first and my heart nearly stops. He’s right where they said. In a booth, his face blotchy and wet, a frown tipping his lips down despite the spoon full of ice cream.

“Lyn,” I breathe out, relief, immense and overwhelming, buckles my knees. His head snaps up and he starts crying all over again.

“I’m sorry! I ruined it! I ruined your life! I’m sorry! I’m sorry!” He drops the spoon, it clatters to the table, his hands coming up to his scalp to pull on his hair. He does this when he’s upset.

“No, Lyn—”

“I wish I wasn’t here! I wish I wasn’t born! You could play! If I was gone, you could play football!”

“Lyn, stop, please stop!” I pull him from the booth and into my arms. “That’s not true. Lyn, I love you so much. My life would benothing without you. You make everything better. You make it bright and beautiful. You’re light and magic and everything good in my world. You’re my hero!”

“NO! I hurt you! I hurt Edee! She was bleeding…and…and…it’s my fault!”

I take us to the ground, somehow managing to pull this grown-ass man over 6 feet tall into my lap. I wrap my arms around him tight and clutch him as if my life depends on it. It does. Lyndell is my life. “Shh. Shh. Lyn, everything’s ok. We’re all ok. Safe. Together. Mama Mary and Papa Pennis are on their way. Edee is here. And you. God! I lost my mind, brother, when I couldn’t find you. I was so scared I lost you.” We rock back and forth, his sobs slowing into deep shuddering breaths.

“Lyndell.” Edee’s voice breaks with so much emotion, I can’t look at her, or I will completely shatter right here on the hotel restaurant floor. I will, later, at home, with her in my arms while we lie in bed, and Lyndell safe and sound in his own room. But not right now. “Honey, I’m so sorry for everything that happened. I should have protected you better—” Lyn cracks his head off my chin, and it hurts like a motherfucker, but both of us stare at her with dropped jaws and wide eyes.

“You…you’re sorry?” Lyn is having a hard time processing, so am I. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Neither did you, Lyn. Those mean boys and girls should be sorry. Not you. Not me.” Oh, she’s good. Diabolical. But there is truth in her words, I know deep down she believes she’s at fault for not protecting him better.

“But I am sorry. I hit you. You fell—”

“I shouldn’t have touched you, Lyndell. You were uncomfortable and scared, and I never should have put my hands on you, even to comfort you, without your permission. Can you forgive me?”

“Can you forgive me?”

“There is nothing to forgive. I love you. I could never be mad at you, Lyn.”

“I love you, too, Edee.” Lyn brightens a little at the declaration. I knew it, it’s been easy to see, but it’s practically glowing in bright neon lights how much Edee means to Lyndell. “I wanted Mama Mary and Papa Pennis. I came here…I knew they would help you. But…I can’t find them. The lady at the desk said they aren’t here.”

Edee wipes tears from under her eyes, “You came here looking for my parents because I was hurt?” He nods and I lean back fast enough to avoid being knocked in the jaw again. He has a hard head. “Ty’s right, you’re fucking magic, Lyndell.”

“Mr. Wicawiil?” Lyn and I both glance up at the hotel concierge who hovers behind Edee and the police officers. “Tyrone?”

“Yes?”

“Can we speak for a moment?” I had a feeling they would need to. Lyn caused a disturbance in their place of business, not to mention the ice cream, soda, and what’s left of a cheeseburger on the table where he was sitting. With a sigh, I tap Lyndell’s hip.

“Sit with Edee for a bit, buddy. I’ll be right back.” He nods, his eyes darting warily from me to the woman in the hotel uniform. She smiles softly at him which eases some of my concern. I kiss the top of Edee’s head on my way past.

In the lobby, she slides behind the desk and taps on her computer. “Mr. Shingleton has secured a room for him and his wife; they will be arriving in a few hours.”

“Thank you. How much do I owe for his meal?”

She meets my eyes and offers me another soft smile. “It’s on the house, sir.”

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