Page 7 of Blind Date with a #FIREFIGHTER
Officer Davis clears his throat. “Aaron, did Cersei touch you?”
“She wanted to hug me and wanted me to eat a cookie. But I wouldn’t. She gave me that look.”
“That look?” the officer questions.
“The one that says I’m in big trouble for not doing what she said.”
My warning sensors go off. What the hell is going on here? What kind of abuse has this child suffered? I’m about to explode when the officer asks his next question.
“Why did the babysitter invite her in?”
“I was playing with my cars on the back of the couch in front of the big window. When I looked up, I sawheracross the street. The babysitter came and stood behind me. Cersei waved and the sitter went to the door then went outside. I did not go out. I stayed inside like I’m supposed to.
“They talked in the street then the babysitter let her come in. I tried to tell hershewasn’t supposed to be here, but Cersei talked over me. So, I just got quiet and went to my room.
“The sitter was talking with Cersei, and I heard her laugh. Then the sitter came to the door and asked if I wanted a yummy cookie and I said no. I almost called Dad then, but I heard Cersei say she needed to go and the house got real quiet.
“I was in my room when I heard the babysitter getting sick. Cersei was talking to her real soft so I couldn’t hear. Cersei told the sitter her mom was coming to get her. That’s when I locked my door to the bathroom and snuck out, locked my bedroom door and hid in the office and texted Dad.”
Alex looks at Officer Davis. “That’s enough. It’s late and he needs to be in bed.”
Officer Davis nods. Alex hugs his son. “You are such a strong boy. You make me so proud. I know it’s been a tough night. I need to go talk to the officers some more. I don’t want you to have to go back out there. Book lady is here, could she sit with you?”
He twists in his father’s arms noticing me for the first time. I wave. “Hi, Aaron. Did you by any chance talk your dad into buying that new firetruck book? I haven’t read it yet.”
His eyes light up. “We did. We did get it.” He slides out of his father’s arms and takes my hand. “I’ll show you. It’s in my room. We can shut and lock the door to be safe. Dad knows how to get in.” He pauses. “Wait, Dad, it’s locked so she’d think I was in there, like you taught me. Can you open it for me and book lady?”
“Sure can, buddy. Book lady’s name is Miss Thea. But she is a really good book lady.” He walks us to a different door, using a tool on his key chain he unlocks the door and lets us in. “Miss Thea will stay with you. Could you get ready for bed before you read the books?”
“Sure, Dad.”
“I’ll just be in the other room. I’m not leaving again. I’ll try to be back before you fall asleep, but regardless I’ll be back and kiss you good night.”
“Could you…could you sleep with me tonight?”
“Sure, buddy. I’ll be back.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
He looks at me. “You okay with this?”
I wave him away. “Go. You’re cutting into our reading time.” He leaves shutting us in.
Aaron is already at his bookshelf pulling out the new book and several others. He glances at the big clock on his wall “I’m supposed to brush my teeth and put on my jammies. I can do it by myself. I’ll hurry.”
He points to a door. “That’s my bathroom. It used to be Jack and Jill’s, but now it’s mine. I share it with the night sitters when they’re here. But they aren’t here today.”
He goes into the bathroom but doesn’t shut the door. He’s singing to himself as he goes about his business. The singing stops and the water shuts off. Silence.
Returning, he climbs onto his bed and fumbles under the pillow, pulling out a well-worn cream-colored bunny with long pink satin lined ears, and a pink satin nose. He cuddles the bunny twisting one ear.
I sit next to him. When he doesn’t speak, I pet the stuffie. “I love your bunny. How long have you had it?”
“Since I was little. Dad got her for me.”
“What’s her name?”
“Ears.”
