If You Make a Deal With a Shadow...

Chapter 57

"I'm tellin' everybody you're mine and I like it. And I really hope you don't mind, I can't fight it. No, you know I cannot hide it 'cause I am so excited that I finally decided on you. 'Cause it's been another perfect day with ya'. Wanna' lay with ya'. Spend the night with ya'. Then spend my life with ya'..."

- While We're Young by Jhené Aiko

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"Here's a letter for you, Aubrey. It came in the mail this morning," Cyrus spoke as he handed her a thin envelope.

Her eyebrows furrowed. "Who is sending me mail?" she whispered to her self. "Thanks, Cy," she smiled and walked to the kitchen.

She walked in just as Emmanuel finished making Junior a grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "Thank you, Mr. Manny!" Junior smiled.

Emmanuel ruffled his hair. "You're welcome, buddy. Anytime."

Junior smiled again before running right past his mom to find Payton.

Aubrey chuckled before grabbing and ripping open the letter. "What's that?" Emmanuel asked nosily as he peeked over her shoulder.

She giggled and moved it from his eyesight. "None of your business, nosy," she quickly nudged him away with her shoulder. He laughed and shook his head as he walked into the bathroom.

Aubrey unfolded the paper inside the envelope before coming face to face to a letter. The words were different sizes and the handwriting was definitely uncontrolled. Her head cocked to the side as she read the letter. Her eyes had to go over the words more than once because it was so sloppy. The longer she read the bigger her eyes grew.

Dear Miss Aubrey,

You may not know who this is. That is fine because you will soon find out. I just want to cut to the chase. I knew I was in love with you since the first day I laid eyes on you. You're the best thing that has ever happened to me. I know you'll have my kids one day so we can be a family. It's just that you're letting Payton get in our way. I can't allow that to happen anymore. You're mine. You belong with me. And it will be that way... Very soon.

"What's that?" came Junior's soft voice.

Aubrey jumped before quickly folding the paper and shoving it back in its envelope. "Uh... It was nothing, baby. Just... Um... Just a letter from your school about the upcoming year."

He shrugged before hugging her side. He smelled like peanut butter. Aubrey quickly squatted a little to hug him back but tighter. "Mom, you're squeezing too hard."

She sighed and unraveled her arms just as Payton walked into the kitchen. "Hey, babe," he kissed her forehead and reached down to ruffle Junior's hair.

Junior huffed and pouted. "I'm too old for everyone to be messing up my hair."

Payton laughed and Aubrey chuckled anxiously. He easily realized the change in attitude so he asked her what was wrong. "Nothing, I just..." she turned around and hesitantly grabbed the envelope from the counter. "I... It's—"

Payton stopped her. "Why are you stuttering so much? What's going on?" he looked down at how tightly she clutched the envelope in her hand. "What's in the envelope?"