Page 53 of Candy

Upstairs, I led Harley toward my room, wondering what he would think. He looked around and then jumped on the bed. “This is your place?”

“Well, it’s the room where I sleep.”

“It’s bigger than where I lived with my mom.”

Candy and I looked at one another. “Your room was smaller than this?”

“No, the apartment was smaller than this.”

“Did you have your own room?”

He shook his head. “No, I slept with Mom.”

Shame washed over me, laced in anger. Why hadn’t Nancy told me that she was pregnant? I would never have allowed her to live like that with my child. I turned to Candy, thankful for her gracious offer. Now, Harley would be treated much better and given everything I could possibly give him, including his own bed.

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CANDY

My heart broke for the little miniature Michael and the big one. Mike looked like he had been kicked in the gut.

“How about you pack some things and finish up here at the tavern, and Harley and I will head over to the house and get settled in.”

“You don’t mind?”

“No. I insist.” I leaned forward and brushed my lips over his cheek. “You take all the time you need.”

“Thanks, Candy.”

“Come on, Harley. Let’s get your stuff, and I’ll show you where you will be living for a little while.”

“Is it with you?” he asked as he raced from the room.

“It is. Is that okay?”

“Yeah, but do you have hot dogs?”

“Um, I’m not sure, but if I don’t, I can run to the store and get some.”

“Okay, bye, Dad,” he called over his shoulder as he ran to the stairs. Mike and I stared at him in shock and then looked at one another. He looked like he was about to pass out.

“Take a few deep breaths and take your time.”

“I’ll be over soon.”

I collected Harley’s two small bags, and then as we began to walk out, he took hold of my hand. When we got to the car, he was wide-eyed. “This is yours?”

“Yep. Why? You don’t like it?”

He looked at me. “Are you rich?”

I scoffed. “No, far from it.”

I put his stuff into the back beside the other bags of stuff I had bought for him, and then I came around to the back passenger door and opened it for him. “In you go.”

“Do I sit in that?” He pointed at the booster seat.

“Yep, you do. It protects your bones and belly if we get in an accident.”

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