Page 11 of Where You Belong

Haelynn

“Huxton, are you almost ready? Your dad will be here any minute,” I shout down the hallway toward his room.

I haven’t heard a peep out of him since we got home. I’m about to head in there to check on him when he comes flying out of his room, his Spider-Man cape floating through the air behind him with a mask over his eyes.

“I’m comin’, I’m comin’, I’m comin’.” He giggles, racing toward me.

I’ve been on edge all day thinking about him going with his dad tonight. Atlas called to cancel his time with him last weekend and couldn’t bother to give an explanation, so he hasn’t seen him in over a week.

Right now, our custody agreement is he sees him for three hours on Wednesday nights and every other weekend. The reasons I left still weigh heavy on my mind, knowing the monster I’ve seen him become over the years.

In the eyes of the court, I don’t have any proof to show the damage he could cause our son by being around him unsupervised. It’s my word against his, and I have a feeling it will be an uphill battle forever.

I hate that it’s come to this, but I’ve witnessed the ugly he hides behind closed doors. I’ll do anything to protect my son from him. It’s the very reason I packed us up and walked away for good.

“Are you excited to see your dad?” I ask as he zooms past me into the kitchen, pretending to shoot his web as he swings from one side to the other.

He goes quiet for a moment and shrugs. “Why can’t he come here and we can all be together?”

“I know, sweetie. He wants to spend time just the two of you.”

“He’s always cranky, though, or working.”

My heart aches for him. I spent the last few years feeling the same way.

“His work keeps him busy sometimes, but he’s excited to see you.”

I knew he wanted to spend time with his son. I just wish he’d make their time together a priority.

“What are you gonna do? Won’t you be all alone?” He pushes his mask up to the top of his head. Strands of his hair stick up through the eye holes.

“Don’t you worry about me, buddy. Do you remember Madelyn and Alex from across the street?”

“Is that the Madelyn from work?”

“That’s right.” I smile. “I’m going to meet up with her and some of her friends for dinner. I’ll be home when you get back, though.”

His little lip puckers out, and his eyes dart away, avoiding me.

“What’s wrong, Huxie? Talk to me.” I bend down, reaching for his hand to pull him closer.

He pushes his mask off his head, letting it drop to the floor behind him, and wraps his arms around my neck.

I rub his back, soothing him. The past few months have been hard, and he’s gone through so many changes—from being at home with me except for the couple of hours a day a few times a week he’d go to preschool and living with both his parents, to staying with grandma for a few months, to living in our own place.

Until now, if anything bothered him, he rarely let it show. I still can’t help but let the guilt twist in my gut over the thought.

“I don’t want to go.”

His words are muffled against the side of my neck. I squeeze my eyes shut, hating the sadness mixed with the plea.

“Can’t I just go with you? Please, Mom.”

“Not this time, sweetie. I promise the next time they invite me over, I’ll bring you along with me. How’s that sound?”

He pulls back and nods. His lower lip puckers out, avoiding looking at me.

He sighs when we hear the horn honk outside. I grit my teeth to cover up how annoyed I am. Where could he possibly be in a hurry to go when he has Huxton for the night? It’s like he can’t be bothered to come to the door to pick up his son.

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