Page 36 of Adoration: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 2)

My phone beeped, signaling a text message.

I picked it up and frowned, not recognizing the number. I slid the message open and realized it was from the attorney. He indicated he sent me an email with all funeral arrangements and next steps via email.

I checked my email on the phone, which made it darn hard to read. I scrolled through the whole document, realizing with a shock that Lena and Larry had everything organized. But who would have known they’d be gone so soon.

I looked around me. Brandon and I had an option to stay here or live in my place. Renting this house would be way too expensive for me. I was going to have child care costs, too. Lena and Larry had a small life insurance policy that would take care of their funeral expenses and would leave a little bit extra. But I wanted that little extra to go to Brandon, not spend it on renting this house.

I tried hard to remember the name of the daycare place Lena told me about, but I couldn’t remember it to save my life.

What was she thinking having me as a guardian for Brandon?I wondered. I was surprised Larry agreed to it, he always called me a hurricane on two legs.

I felt a pang in my heart, realizing I’d never hear him call me that again.

“Brandon,” I asked him and he looked up, chocolate all around his mouth, causing me to smile. “What is the name of your daycare?”

“Three Wheels,” he replied.

“Thank you.” I forgot, it was a weird name but Lena swore it was the best daycare in London. I’d have to make sure I keep him there. I wondered how far it was from Caldwell’s Enterprise.

I’d have to beg Alexander on my knees to keep me working there permanently. Every bone in my body objected to it, but I knew I would need a dependable job. I swore I’d never get a nine to five job, yet here I am, ready to beg for one.

After Brandon’s breakfast, we washed up and I got him dressed. I wasn’t even sure what to do today. The lawyer was handling the funeral, and I needed to call Layla, but I didn’t want to do it in front of Brandon. And I had to find a way to tell Brandon that Mom and Dad weren’t coming back, but I didn’t know how. I kept waiting for him to ask, but the question never came.

We walked to the playground. Even though the late September sun was bright, the day seemed gloomy. I sat there while he played. We were the only ones on the playground and I felt as if we were the only ones in the whole world. It felt lonely. Now would be the time I’d pick up the phone and call Lena, and I no longer had that luxury.

I just wanted to hear her voice;neededher voice to calm me. I dialed her cell number. I knew it was stupid, but my heart hoped with each ring that somehow she’d pick up. One, two, three, four rings and it went to the voicemail. My eyes teared up at hearing her voice. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours and I already needed to talk to her. Brandon looked up at that moment and gave me a big, warm smile that reminded me of Lena. It warmed my heart.

I waved to him and he waved back. One more slide ride and I called him softly over.

“Hey sweetie,” I hugged him.

“Why are you sad, Livy?” he asked with those big blue eyes on me. I swallowed the lump in my throat. How could I tell him his parents were dead?

“I’m sad because,” I struggled to find the words. “I don’t want to make you sad, but I have to tell you something and that will make you sad.”

He nodded solemnly like he understood what I was saying. Maybe he did.

“Sweetie, your mommy and daddy love you so much.” He nodded again. “And I love you too.”

“I love you too, Livy.” His voice was a whisper.

“There was an accident,” I told him. Was I supposed to say that? “Mommy and Daddy are in heaven and we won’t be able to see them anymore.”

He watched me silently and with each second that ticked by, more and more tears glistening in those beautiful, big, baby blue eyes.

My voice choked as I tried to stay strong, for him. “I will take care of you and I promise we’ll be ok. I will be here for you, and…”

He threw himself on me, tears finally winning the battle. His little body shaking with each sob.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” I whispered, holding him tight to me. I wished I could spare him this pain.

I let him cry as I held him, my own tears silently falling down my cheeks. Or maybe he held me. I didn’t know anymore. Tears streamed down both our faces as we mourned the loss of something we’d never be able to replace.

We sat there for hours, holding each other. Everything would change for us. I just prayed I wouldn’t fail Lena and Larry’s trust.

Chapter Eighteen

Liberty

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