Page 89 of Dare You to See Me
Malik says it’s because he likes that Dahlia has her own room and toys here in case she gets lonely and needs something familiar.
“Be very careful plugging that in, Dahlia,” he tells her from where he stands at the top of the ladder.
“I know. Just like you taught me. Nice and slow.” Her tongue sticks out as she lines up the prongs with the outlet and pushes it in.
The lights come to life and Dahlia jumps up, clapping and cheering.
“Look mama,” she shouts.
“I see, little dove. It’s perfect. And very bright.” I shield my eyes from the 10,000 watt lights that drip from every surface of my house.
Malik’s smile is huge and I don’t know who is more excited about this; him or Dahlia. I guess he never had this kind of holiday joy when he was a kid. He told me that the foster homes he bounced between weren’t always the best and many times, the families were poor themselves. So over the top Christmas decorations weren't something he got to experience.
I turn my attention back to arranging the netted lights and squint when I see something lying on the mulch. I reach down and come away with a black leather glove, much like the ones Malik wears when he rides his bike.
“Malik,” I call out to him. When he looks at me, I lift the glove up in the air. “This was in the bushes. Is it yours?”
His eyes blink a few times as he slowly climbs down the ladder.
“I don’t–I don’t think so.” He walks to me cautiously, examining the glove as he nears.
“Why would a random glove be in my bushes below a window that looks into my house?” My heart begins to race with fear and I press my hand to my chest.
Is someone watching me? Was I right thinking a stranger was in my house that night, months ago? I start to shake and Malik pulls me to his hard chest.
He takes the glove from my hand and presses my head to him. “You know, it is mine. I must have dropped it and somehow it found its way into the bushes. Probably the wind.”
“Are you sure? Malik…what if someone is watching us. When you’re not here, someone could break in and–and–” Panic sets in and I get dizzy, feeling like I can’t breathe.
“Mommy? Are you okay?” Dahlia’s voice is drenched in worry as she finally notices the two of us.
“Sweetheart, could you go get mommy some water? I think maybe she’s thirsty and needs a break.” Malik tucks me further into his hold and pats the top of Dahlia’s beanie covered head.
She nods and skips off inside.
“Baby, it’s okay. I need you to just breathe slowly and look at me.” He takes my chin in his hand and lifts. “It’s mine. I didn’t recognize it at first. I have so many pairs of gloves that I didn’t even realize it was missing. No one is breaking in. You have the alarm and the cameras and I can log into them anytime and check footage to be certain.”
Hot tears burn as they run down my cold cheeks. I want to believe him, I do, but right now all I can think about is harm coming to my daughter. Maybe the irking suspicion of being watched isn’t misplaced.
The door slams shut and Dahlia hops down the front porch steps. “Here, Mommy. Decorating is a tough job. Maybe you should rest and me and Malik will take care of it.”
Shehands me a water bottle and hugs my leg. With me still in Malik’s arms and my daughter wrapped around me, I feel the tension in my body slow roll away.
He’s right. I triple check my doors every night, the alarm gets set before bed, and every window and door has a sensor that will beep if any of them are opened. If someone is going to try and break-in, the police and Malik will be here before they can close the door behind them.
My hand continues to tremble as the last of the adrenaline drains. Malik’s thumb rubs across my cheeks and when I pull the bottle away from my lips, he takes its place, kissing me gently, reassuringly. He licks the salt of my tears away, and everything just settles with his touch. My heart, my mind, they both stop racing just like they always do when he’s near.
“Better?” he asks when he pulls away.
With a nod and I sigh, I swipe my wet lashes. “I’m sorry. I just kind of panicked.”
“Don’t apologize, baby. Just know that I’ve got you. I’ll never let anything hurt you.”
“Thank you,” I whisper and kiss the palm of his hand, then press it to his chest where his heart beats beneath.
“What do you say we cuddle in for the night? It’s going to be dark soon, so we’ll finish tomorrow. Does that sound good, Dahlia Rose?”
“Can we watch Rapunzel?” She asks him, and while I hear a low groan that tells me he’s on his last nerve with that movie, he nods to Dahlia with a smile. “Yes! I’ll get the popcorn out. And we need hot chocolate.”
