Page 25 of Truck Stop Titan

I watched the sheet for signs of movement. Her leg twitched, then straightened, and seconds later, her little foot wiggled under the sheet. I held back the laughter that bubbled inside me. Joy. Pure joy. We’d made a connection. I didn’t think I’d ever been happier.

“Okay. Here it comes.”

I gripped the edge of the comforter, stayed to the end of the bed, counted, “One. Two. Three,” then shook the cotton out in a wave, high above the bed so it billowed out and floated for a brief moment before landing on top of her tiny body.

God, how I wanted to jump into that bed with her, curl her into my arms, and hug her forever.

Instead, I watched her wiggle more until she peeked her head out for oxygen.

I picked up the book and continued to read.

Come lunch time, my niece wouldn’t touch her food. Lettie suggested we give her savior a shot at getting her to eat. Reluctantly, I agreed, retreating to my room next door, ear to the wall.

The next three days continued at the same pace. I’d spend the day with her, excluding meal times. Come bed time, I’d listen through the wall while the man named Dane hummed and sometimes sang her to sleep.

By the fourth day, my spirits were bruised. I had hoped to make better progress, but every time she made a breakthrough, something happened to set her back. A bad dream. A spilled glass of orange juice. A loud noise.

When she was scared, the only person to calm her was that damn stranger. And as the hours rolled on, the little green monster sank his claws deeper into my chest.

Dane

IGNORING THE ACHE INmy chest, I stretched, then winced, my body protesting even the slightest movement.

The girl sat next to me, her tiny body curled into my side, my ass wedged into a too-small chair.

I looked down at the puzzle piece she held, then pointed to the corner where I thought it might belong. She shook her head, then set the piece in the opposite corner, clicking it into place.

Her body jiggled with silent laughter, her head shaking as if chastising my incompetence.

“Oh, you think that’s funny, huh?” I couldn’t help my grin. She still hadn’t spoken a word, but the girl didn’t need words to communicate.

Five puzzles in three days. Fucking puzzles. Fuck me. My back was wrecked from the damn mini-chair. And I silently cursed her aunt for bringing those God damned toys into the room. I had it my way, we’d’ve had an Xbox hooked to the television. Hell, I’d even take watching cartoons for ten hours straight over putting those fucking pieces of cardboard together.

But the little one was happy. The happier the kid, the faster I’d be able to blow town.

Outside, the world moved on, boats and skiers littering the lake, the summer heat bringing everyone outdoors. The last summer I’d spent in Whisper Springs was a lifetime ago, chock-full of memories better left buried.

Looking across the lawn, I noticed a swing hanging from a high branch.

“Hey. Think you might want to go outside today?”

She ignored me, studying another puzzle piece.

“There’s a swing out there, by the beach. Looks like fun.”

No response.

I shrugged. Wasn’t my problem. My days at the mansion were winding down, my soul itching to hit the open road.

Soon, the pesky little kid would be nothing but an unpleasant memory.

“I brought lunch.” Lettie knocked on the door. “Can I come in?”

“Yeah,” I grunted, shifting my numb ass.

Little One tightened against me, then made a mad dash for the bed.

Lettie came through, tray in hand. I pushed to stand, my hips locking, and fell back, landing with a hard thud, knocking over the table, sending puzzle pieces in every direction.

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