Changes (Book 3)

Chapter 45

**** A jump ahead.  Something bad about to happen!  That handsome fella in the picture enters the story.  Get ready!

---Mindy

Trent was on a business trip, Hunter was almost 4 years old and I was currently pregnant with baby number two.  I'm about 5 months a long and was getting Hunter registered for preschool when my cell phone rang.  I answered it and leaned against the wall in the hallway.  "Hello?"

"Hey baby."

"Hey you."

"Hunter all registered for school?"

"Yep.  He's in the play area right now."

"Would you mind putting little man on the phone for me?"

"If I can get his attention."  I said.

"Okay."

"Hunter, come say hi to daddy."  I said.  He ran over and I handed him the phone.

---Trent

I ignored the crushing pain in my lower abdomen.  "Hi daddy."

"Hey buddy, how's my little man?"

"Fine.  When you coming home?"

"I don't know buddy.  Look, I need to tell you something.  Is mommy still there?"

"No, she went to talk to the teacher lady."

"Good.  Hunter, can you promise daddy something?"

"Yeah."

"Take good care of mommy and the new baby okay?  Look out for mommy and the new baby."

"Okay.  What's wrong daddy?"

"Daddy's hurt badly.  Daddy loves you okay?"

"I love you too daddy."

"Give the phone back to mommy."

"Okay."

"Trent?"  Mindy said.

"Look, the EMTs will be here soon.  I won't be coming home.  Not the way I want to."

"Trent, what's going on?"

"I've been in a bad accident, baby.  If when they move the car..."

"No, Trent."

"I'm so sorry."

"Trent, please..."

"Take care of our baby.  I love you."

"Trent..."  I started sobbing right there in the parking lot.

"Mindy, say it back."  his voice cracked.

"I love you.  So much."

"I'll always be with you."  he said.  "I have to go now."

"Okay."  I said.  The line went dead.

At the end of my pregnancy, my mom was helping me with Trenton James Jr.  I missed Trent more than anything in the entire world.  We'd been together for so long just for him to be taken away from me.  I brought flowers to his grave site on his birthday and promised myself to keep doing that.  "Do you want to stay in this big house?"  my mom asked giving Hunter his mac 'n cheese and his hot dog.

"I'd feel bad leaving it."  I said.

"Your dad and I can move in with you, Hunter, and TJ until he's older."

"That's up to you."  there was a knock on the door, I went to get it.  I opened the door and saw that it was Trent's best friend Preston Christensen (the guy in the pic above).

"Hey." he said.  "I just got back from overseas.  I had no idea about Trent.  I'm so sorry."  he gave me a hug.

"Thank you."  I said.

"Can I see the new addition?"

"Sure, come in."  I said.  I stepped aside and he stepped in.  He followed me into the living room.

"Pres!"

"Hey Hunter."  he hugged Hunter.

"I'm a big brother!"

"I see that."  he said.  "What's his name?"

"TJ."

"After his daddy."  my mom said.

"It fits."  he said.  "Perfectly."  Preston said smiling at me.

Two months later, it was the first Christmas without Trent.  Hunter always sat in the chair Trent sat in.  "Mom, why was dad taken away?"

"I don't know buddy."

"He told me to take care of you and TJ."  he said.

"When was that?"

"Before he died."  he said starting to cry.  I picked him up and hugged him.  "I want daddy."

"I know baby.  So do I."

"It's not fair."

"I know."