Odd Living

Twentynine

I sit down across from the woman.

"You ain't my daughter." She says.

"I realize that but your son, Jay, he doesn't have a place to stay when you're 'gone.' What is he to do?" I could see her soften up at the mere mention of her son.

"What is his father doing? Drinking probably. I might have to send him to his grandmothers or a house for kids. Oh my god." She begins to cry.

"Miss, I'm sure you can find someone who qualifies to take care of him. He is a really sweet boy that wouldn't be too hard to manage." I say.

After a moment of silence, she looks up at me. With a glimpse of hope in her eyes.

"You could take care of my baby, couldn't you? You wouldn't want to see me if you didn't want to take care of him, right?" Shit.

I know Ian wouldn't mind having a kid living with us. But everyone else might have a problem. I just want to help the poor kid out.

"Uhhh... if you really need someone to... take care of him. I guess I could. I'd have to talk to my roommates first." I say looking at my palms.

"Can you call my mother and ask if she is willing to take Jay? If not, it would be amazing if you took care of him until I'm out." Shit.

"No problem." I say.

She writes down the number and smiles at me. I take that as a thank you and leave the room. I go searching for a phone and I ring up Ian first.

"Ian, it's me."

"Oh my god. What happened? Are you okay?" He speaks fast making it hard to understand him.

"Shh. I'm fine. Can you come down to the police station on Franklin and Carroll St" I say trying not to sound stressed.

"I'll be there in 10 minutes. I love you so much and I'm glad you're okay." Ian responds.

"I love you too." I hang up and dial Jay's grandmother.

"Hello, who is this?"

"It doesn't matter. What matters is that Jay is without a home because his mother and father are both in jail. Would you be able to Jay until his mother is out?" I say nice and slow so she can hear me clearly.

"I suppose I can come and get him. Which station is it?" She asks.

"Uhh... the one on Carroll and Franklin, ma'am. I'll make sure Jay is ready for you." I say.

"Alright. I'll be up there in a hour."

What? A hour? I can't be sitting here for a hour with Jay.

I hang up the phone and head to the front. I pass up Cal's room and see him with his head down. I ignore it and walk up to the front. I sit next to Jay.

"Jay, your grandma is going to be here soon. Okay? My friend is coming here to wait with us. Okay?"

All he did was rest his head on my lap. I took that as an okay and relaxed. I closed my eyes as well.

What felt like a few minutes later, Ian came into the police department and ran up to me. He saw that Jay was sleeping on me so he tried to be quiet.

"Holy fuck, this kid is cute. Who is he?" Ian whispered into my ear.

At least he didn't bring up Cal and the whole Josh situation.

"He was in here when I showed up. We bonded instantly. His name is Jay and his grandma should be up here in forty five minutes to pick him up." I say leaning my head into Ian's neck.

"Aww. Can we keep him?" Ian asked while reaching for my hand with the cereal box ring on it.

He brushed his thumb over the ring.

"Do you really want to keep him until his mother is released?" I question trying to hold the excitement in.

I have never connected with someone so easily before. Granted he is a little boy, but he reminds me so much of Max.

I pull out his grandmothers number from my front jean pocket and hand it to Ian. I tell him to call the number and ask if we could take Jay instead of her coming here and taking him.

Ian rushed to the nearest phone. I close my eyes until he comes back. Moments later Ian pokes my shoulder rapidly.

"What? I'm trying to sleep here." I moan.

"We can keep him. She said it was okay!" I could tell Ian was excited. "She also said that she would pay us, but I turned it down! Mackenzie, we have a kid!" Ian practically melted in his chair he was so excited.

Jay woke up to the shrieking of Ian.

"Jay, you can come home with us until your mommy is let out. Is that okay?" I ask him.

"It's great. Who is he?" Jay points at Ian. 

"This is Ian, my friend I told you about. He is really nice." I tell Jay.

He sits up and whispers in my ear. I blush because of what he said.

"Ian, would you watch over Jay while I go find Josh? I need to tell him a few things."

"No problem Mackenzie. Be safe."

Jay was right. Ian does truly love me.