Shadows of Regret

CHAPTER EIGHT

Imani Williams

As I pulled out of the school parking lot, the tension in my chest hadn’t eased. I kept glancing in the rearview mirror, half-expecting that man, John, to be following us. When I was sure we were in the clear, I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.

“Kai, sweetheart,” I began, trying to keep my voice calm even though my nerves were frayed. “You know you’re not supposed to talk to strangers, right?”

Kai looked up at me from his seat, his bright eyes clouding over with confusion. “But, Mommy, he was nice. He showed me a magic trick, and he said he has a kid at my school.”

I tightened my grip on the steering wheel. “I know he seemed nice, baby, but not everyone who seems nice can be trusted. You have to be careful, okay? You should never talk to someone you don’t know, especially when I’m not around.”

Kai’s face fell, his little shoulders slumping as he stared down at his hands. “I’m sorry, Mommy. I didn’t know.”

Seeing him like that tugged at my heart. I hated being stern with him, but I needed him to understand how serious this was. I took a deep breath, softening my tone. “I’m not mad at you, Kai. I just care about you so much, and I want you to be safe.”

He looked up at me, his lip quivering a bit. “You do?”

“Of course, I do,” I said, reaching over to squeeze his hand. “You’re my whole world, Kai. I’d do anything to keep you safe.”

He gave a small nod, but he still seemed down. I couldn’t bear to see him like that. So, as soon as we stopped at a red light, I reached over and gave him a playful tickle under his chin. “You’re too cute to be sad, you know that?”

He squirmed in his seat, giggling as he tried to push my hand away. “Mommy, stop!”

I laughed along with him, the sound of his joy melting away the last of my tension. “Okay, okay, I’ll stop. But only if you promise to remember what I said.”

“I promise,” he said, still smiling, his earlier sadness forgotten.

I smiled back at him, relieved that I’d managed to lift his spirits. As we continued our drive home, I couldn’t shake the lingering unease from our encounter at the school. But for now, I focused on the happy sound of Kai’s laughter, determined to protect that joy with everything I had.

♤♤♤

After the unsettling encounter at the school, I decided to take the long way home.

Kai had been so good today, despite everything, and I really didn’t feel like cooking.

When I asked him if he wanted McDonald’s, his eyes lit up like it was Christmas.

“Yes! Can I get a Happy Meal, Mommy? Please?”I chuckled at his excitement.

“Of course, you can, sweetheart. Anything you want.”

We pulled into the drive-thru, and I ordered him his favorite: a Happy Meal with chicken nuggets, fries, and an apple juice.

I grabbed a salad for myself, although I wasn’t really in the mood to eat.

I was still thinking about that man at the school, about how wrong everything had felt.

But when I saw Kai grinning in the backseat, happily munching on his fries, some of my worry eased.