Page 34 of Strength

There was no mistaking the Australian accent of the woman I’d been seeing. I told her where we were.

“I’m on my way.” I heard the rattle of keys against a car door and then she hung up on me.

As I tucked my phone into my jacket pocket, I narrowed my eyes at the boy I’d almost run over. “Your name’s not Charlie by chance, is it?”

The boy widened his eyes. “How do you know?”

“I know your mom.”

“Do you work at the supermarket?”

“No, I’m a friend from somewhere else.” It wasn’t my place to tell him that I’d been dating his mom for the last couple of weeks and I was already crazy about her. “Your mom will be here soon. In the meantime, have you ever played Bubble Burst?”

Charlie’s brown eyes lit up. “What’s Bubble Burst?”

“Well now, you’re in for a treat, kid.” I pulled up the game and taught him how to play it.

We were engrossed in the game for God knows how long and were still going at it when Olivia raced through the ER shouting at the top of her lungs, “Charlie? Charlie, where are you, baby?”

Charlie dropped the phone to the bed. “Mom?”

I tucked my phone away as Olivia threw her arms around her little boy. “Oh, sweetie! Are you alright?”

Charlie shook his head. “My ankle hurts.”

“What happened? What were you doing down near the school?”

“Duke wanted to kick his new ball around, and there’s more room at the school.”

Olivia’s line of sight flicked to me. She was nervous about me being here. I cleared my throat. “I’m going to grab a coffee from the vending machine.”

“Okay. Thank you.”

I went to the machine I’d seen on the way in. I waited for it to dispense the hot liquid into the paper cup. I felt like there was something about this situation I was missing. I knew a lot of moms like Olivia. Single moms were understandably protective of their kids, but they weren’t generally so vague, and neither were the kids. Charlie was protecting his mom for some reason. My gut told me it wasn’t good.

I downed the coffee, then meandered back toward them, deep in thought.

“You know the rules when I’m at work, Charlie. You stay in the apartment and don’t let anyone in.”

“But, Mom, Duke wanted to kick the ball.”

“I know, and I know you’re good friends with Duke. But it’s not safe, baby.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. Olivia was leaving her six-year-old son at home alone? How often was she doing this? Did she leave him alone while we went on our dates? A feeling of guilt settled over me. From afar, I looked at Olivia fussing over her son. Mixed feelings flowed through me; my romantic feelings that were growing for Olivia and my anger that she could be like one of the parents we dealt with atCorporate Cares.

I schooled my features before I re-joined them.

Olivia looked at me in surprise. “You’re still here.”

Before I could answer her, the nurse from before came back with one of the ER doctors in tow. “Are you our patient’s mother?” the doctor asked.

“Yes, I’m Olivia Davis. This is Charlie.”

“Nice to meet you. My name is Dr. Wallace. I’m here to examine your son and decide on our best course of action. I have a few forms you’ll need to fill out. If you could first sign the x-ray permission form, we can get that underway right now.”

“Alright.” Olivia took the clipboard from her and signed the first form. She handed it back.

“Charlie? Would you like to come with us? You’re going to get to see some cool photos of the inside of your ankle.”

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