Page 10 of Blind Date with a #FIREFIGHTER
I hear them mumbling in the background.
“She hasn’t heard anything but will ask around tomorrow. What did she do?”
“I was out for dinner and there was a teenager with Aaron. Cersei tricked the sitter into letting her in. Aaron knew to hide and texted me right away.
“But the teenager got sick. Cops are investigating to see if it was the cookies Cersei gave her. Hopefully they can make something stick this time.”
“Spark, listen to me. She is never getting him back. That’s a done deal.”
“Not legally, but we both know she’s not into legal.”
“I’ll get the reports first thing in the morning.” There’s a pause. “Wait, you were out for dinner? You? A date?”
“It was a charity thing.”
“Charity thing for who?”
“The Book Nook.”
“The Book Nook has dating for charity? I’m confused.”
I hear Marie laugh then sputter-cough in the background. “Is Marie okay?”
“Yeah, but I need to check on her. I’ll call you in the morning. I promise, I’ll get on it first thing.”
I know he will. He was with me through the whole fiasco of my marriage and divorce. Hell, we’ve been best friends since we were five. He introduced me to Cersei. I know how bad he feels now about that. He and Marie both.
They tried to warn me, but you can’t tell a horny twenty-two-year-old shit. By the time I saw what they saw—it was too late.
I’d just received the Medal of Gallantry for doing what I thought was just my job. My face was everywhere. Cersei was at college with Marie. They didn’t hang out but had crossover friends. There was a party and blonde, blue eyed hottie was all over me saying all the right things. Taking me places sexually I’d only fantasied. Three months later I’m married with a kid on the way.
Well maybe. That’s what I was told. Two years later when Aaron was born. I overheard the doctor say there was no way she’d been pregnant before.
That’s when I finally started to wake up and see reality. Then the fights started. I’d come home to my son in dirty diapers and hungry. She’d claim it just happened. The days I was off, she’d be gone with friends.
Everything came to a screeching halt when the neighbor called to tell me something was wrong at my house and that I should call the cops. Officer Turner met me that day. When I got home my two-year-old son was alone in his crib with two toys, three baby bottles and a bowl of crackers.
The neighbor showed us the feed from their ring camera showing Cersei leaving an hour after I did and not coming back.
I filed for a divorce and for a year and a half I fought with the courts for full custody. She’d lie and say the babysitter was there when she left and tried to say they left out the back. Then she started bringing guys to her apartment and locking Aaron in a room on the days she had him. I hired a private investigator. Turned out she’d been fucking the judge on the case and lying to him too.
After I received full custody and a restraining order, Cersei disappeared. I thought we were done.
I’ll never know everything that Aaron went though, because he couldn’t talk enough to tell me. But when your kid is terrified of a dog kennel, you can guess.
I go to my son’s room and lay beside him, cuddling along his back, arm draped over him. Instinctually, he reaches up and clasps my thumb.
Never again.
I’m still awake rehashing everything in my mind. It’s obvious I can no longer depend on my current babysitter situations. I make decent money but I’m not rich. I may have to hire a full-time, live-in nanny. Downside to that is I’m stuck with someone living in the house with us. I like it when it’s just Aaron and I.
But what if I ever want to bring someone home? That hasn’t been an issue in a long time. I haven’t dated since before I got full custody. Making Aaron secure has been my whole focus. Why am I thinking of this now?
The image of a petite, curvy, brown-eyed woman takes up residence in my mind. She’s got intelligent eyes, an impish smile and the sweetest voice. And a tenderness with my son that somehow gives me a sense of peace.
I need to check out the new daycare. Slipping from the bed I head to the shower. Aaron will be up soon and starving, asis typical of a growing four year old. This morning calls for his favorite, French toast with blueberries and whipped cream.
Forty minutes later I hear his toilet flush and prepare myself for the human tornado I know is coming. Leaning down, I catch him in my arms, twirl him around and snuggle kiss his neck.
