Page 22 of The Archer and his Rosebud

“Archer, thanks for the ride. It was nice meeting you.” Devin reaches over the seat and shakes my hand as we pull into the passenger drop-off zone.

“Yeah, man, you too. Good luck with the football season, and like I said, give me a call if you want to talk more about majoring in computer science.”

With a nod, he hops out and rounds the vehicle, and Willa follows. “I’ll be just a sec.”

“Take your time, the other cars can go around us.”

As Nolan and Eli climb over the backseats from the third row of my Expedition to the middle and buckle themselves on either side of Clem’s car seat, I watch Willa hug her brother goodbye from behind my sunglasses.

She flashes the boys a fake smile when she climbs in the car and fastens her seatbelt with trembling hands.

“You good?”

Willa nods, keeping her gaze out the windshield, and I pull from the curb, not pushing for conversation.

Midway home, I spy a tear slipping down Willa’s jaw. Glancing at the boys in the rearview mirror, I reach across the center console and cover Willa’s clasped hands in her lap. She doesn’t budge.

The boys crawl out of the backseat quietly when we return home, Nolan signaling me that Clem is fast asleep. When Willa doesn’t seem inclined to move, I get out and prompt Nolan and Eli to give us a few minutes.

Without complaint, they book it to the play area, and I round the back of the car and crack the backseat open for air, before opening the passenger side for Willa. She operates in slow, wooden movements, her mind elsewhere as she swings her legs around, pausing before climbing out.

“Willa?” Try as I might, I can’t keep an even tone. I hate witnessing her hurt. “Come here.” I offer my hand, and with a sniffle she slides from the seat and falls into my embrace. Her tears seep through my shirt within moments.

“I don’t know why I’m crying. This is silly.” She drops her arms, but I refuse to release her.

“You miss your family. It’s not silly,” I soothe, one hand slipping up her spine and resting at the base of her neck.

Her fists tangle in my shirt, and I hold tight, allowing her tears to flow until she’s all cried out.

“You two want to come over for a bit? I’m sure we can find something for you to eat at my place.”

“I don’t think so. I think I’ll just wallow tonight.” I don’t want to pressure her, so I pop Clem’s seat from my car and hand over her diaper bag. “You don’t have to walk us up. Go play with the boys. You’re off tomorrow, right?”

“Yeah, I’m taking them school shopping.” I pull the sunshade over Clem’s face and shove down the urge to press a kiss to her rosy cheek before giving Willa the carrier.

Settling the seat in the crook of her left arm, Willa sniffs. “We’ll talk then, okay?”

“Oh, hey, you wanna leave your car key and I can reinstall the base for you?”

“Um, that’s okay. Why don’t you just leave it outside my door when you come in. I’ll grab it later.”

I want to argue, but I wave goodbye. “Call if you need anything.”

I hear nothing for two days.

* * *

We passeach other in the hallway Wednesday afternoon, Willa coming and me going. She’s balancing the baby carrier, diaper bag, and keys in her left hand, with several grocery bags over her shoulder and right. I can’t help but notice the smudges beneath her brown eyes or the way her hair hangs limp in a messy ponytail.

“Hey, stranger. Let me help.” I snake the keys from around her finger since touching anything else makes me worry I might topple her.

“Thanks.”

I follow her in, and when she sets the car seat on the floor, I kneel down and greet a babbling Clementine. “Hey, pretty girl. Did you and momma go to the store?”

I tug on her toes and she coos, her heart-shaped mouth curving up.

“Holy crap.” My heart bursts. “Willa, she smiled at me. You smiled at me, sweetheart. Yes, you did.” I curb my enthusiasm a notch. “When did she start smiling?”

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