Page 122 of Not Broken (Not Broken 1)

“Why do you say that?”

“He has you. You’re a kick ass mom. And you make it look easy.”

Ginger reached back to rub my cheek. “I’m the lucky one. That little boy has saved me more than once.”

She pulled away and walked out of the room. I switched on the monitor then headed to our bedroom, but she wasn’t there.

I kicked off my shoes then headed downstairs. The door to the patio was slightly open. Through the open blinds, I could see Ginger. She stood out on the deck, beer in hand, staring off in space. I propped up in the doorway, watching her. Lost in thought, she paid no attention to me. I walked up behind her, and circled my arms around her waist. She jumped at the contact.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you.”

“It’s okay.”

I grabbed the bottle from her hand, took a drink, and then set it down on the railing. “Are you out here spying on the neighbors?”

Ginger put her arms over mine, pulling them around her tighter. “It’s nice.”

“What? Spying on the neighbors?”

She shook her head. “Having them.”

Ginger reached for the beer, and finished it off in one gulp. It’d been awhile since she drank that I could remember. Certainly been awhile since she’d downed a drink like she was nervous about something.

“What’s wrong?

“Nothing.”

I did an audible inhale and exhale.

“Is it weird that I like being able to see a house from the back porch or when I look out of any window?”

I thought about her house. Only five houses were on the street, and they were spread out. Once you were behind her gate, you didn’t see any sign of them. Each house was like an island separated from each other.

“No, not weird at all.”

She picked up the empty bottle to take another drink.

“Want another?”

“Yes, please.”

I headed inside to grab another beer for her. Ginger had curled up on one of the loungers when I got back outside. I handed her the new beer and moved to take a seat on the other chair.

She grabbed my arm. “Sit with me.”

Stepping over the lounger, I settled back against it, and pulled Ginger against my chest. We sat in silence, listening to the sounds around us. Barking dogs, cars passing by, some with music blaring, and a few conversations as people took evening walks. I stroked her arms in tiny circles. She held the beer, twirling it around in her hands, but not taking a drink. I leaned my head back and closed my eyes. I could tell she had something on her mind. She’d tell me or she wouldn’t. But she needed me to sit here and hold her, and that’s what I’d do.

Ginger leaned forward to sit her untouched beer on the small side table. I expected her to resume her position, but she didn’t. Instead, she sat sideways on the lounger, chewing on her thumbnail.

She looked back over her shoulder at me. “Remember last year when I backed out of going trick or treating with you guys?”

I moved so that I sat behind her and wrapped my arms around her waist. “Yeah, you said Lil’ Man was sick.”

“He wasn’t sick.”

“Okay, so you didn’t want to hang out with us?”

This was an odd topic of conversation, bringing up something so random from last year.

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