Page 57 of Where You Belong

She glances back at me when she hits the lock on the door. I stand behind the wall, separating the living room from the entryway, motioning for her not to worry because I’ll be right here.

We both know if he had any inkling I was here, it would only cause more of a scene.

I’m able to see the door if I were to take a quick sidestep. Unless he’s looking for me, he likely wouldn’t see me.

She nods, releasing a deep breath before turning the door handle and opening the door.

“What are you doing here?” she whisper-shouts at him, her voice firm.

I’m unable to make out what he says when she quickly follows it up with, “Have you been drinking again?”

I peer around the corner to find Atlas bent over at the waist, his hands on his knees, shaking his head. When he finally stands up and reaches for the door, he stumbles back for a second before righting himself.

She’s right. It looks like he’s drunk, and judging by the look on his face, he’s upset. His eyes are red and swollen, puffy as though he’s been crying.

He pulls the screen door open and steps toward Haelynn, but she puts her hand up between them to stop him from coming any farther.

“You can’t just show up here whenever you want, unannounced. Huxton is asleep, and I don’t want to talk to you right now.”

“Haelynn,” Atlas begs. “I got the petition for custody today. Please, just talk to me. I’m sorry.”

His words are broken up, his voice quivering with emotion. He is clearly torn up and not in a good way.

“Atlas, no. It’s not a good time.”

“Why?” he commands, his voice growing loud. “Why are you doing this to us?”

“Atlas, I’m not kidding. You can sit down on the steps and call an Uber or someone to come give you a ride, but you need to go. I’m not doing this with you. What’s done is done. What I want from you now is to take care of you first so you can focus on being a better person and father to your son.”

He turns, appearing to accept her answer, but something halts his movement.

When he turns back around, the look on his face has changed from one of sadness into something darker. Haelynn must sense the shift in his demeanor. She reaches for the door handle to pull it closed behind her as Atlas stops her.

“Is it because he’s here with you? Is that why you won’t talk to me?”

“Atlas, I’m not kidding. You need to go.”

Her voice grows louder and more urgent, attempting to yank the door closed.

“No, tell me. He’s here with you, isn’t he? In the house with my son? How could you do this to me? How can you move on and let some man into our son’s life and try to replace me? I’m his father.”

“Who I spend my time with is none of your business, Atlas. Huxton knows you’re his father. He needs you to be his father. Now, please, I’m only going to say this to you once more. You need to go, or I’m going to call the police.”

“I can’t lose you,” he pleads, reaching out to grab her. She shoves him back.

I’ve seen enough.

“You need to go. Now!” I command, stepping behind Haelynn. Her body trembles, stepping behind me. “She told you to leave. You need to listen to what she says and go.”

He runs his fingers through his hair, jerking his head away. His jaw set, and his body taut.

I don’t notice right away until he’s pulling his hand out of his pocket. Before I have the chance to stop him, he’s whipping his pocketknife open, and it’s too late.

I only have enough time to push Haelynn out of the way, using my body to shield her from him when he lunges toward me.

He’s drunk and stumbling, so I’m able to dodge his swing.

“Atlas, no! Please! Don’t do this,” she begs.

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