Just Breathe

Chapter Twenty-Six Bailey

Going back to work the day after having the perfect afternoon with Gavin, Logan, and Zeus really sucked. I was emotionally drained and felt I could sleep for a week, but life did not work that way. I have to say, though, waking up with Gavin for the second night in a row was pretty fantastic.

Once we arrived in the parking lot Logan was passed out in the back seat, so Gavin carried him inside and put him to bed. I couldn’t help but smile at how a tentative he was when it came to Logan, and how natural he was. I was about to say I’d walk him out when he wrapped me up in his arms.
“Don’t ask me to leave. I’d really like to have you sleeping in my arms again.” He whispered against me ear.

Who could say no? So, of course, we walked quietly to my room and got settled. Within minutes I was out but then, what seemed like only seconds since I closed my eyes, I was jolting awake to a thrashing Gavin. I couldn’t stand to see him trapped in that awful nightmare. I gently whispered in his ear that I was right there with him. Slowly, he started to relax, and then, just as quickly, he jolted awake, but at least this time he wasn’t screaming bloody murder.

Now we were just about ready to head out and watch Logan get on the school bus and go into work.
“I’ll see you in a few for breakfast, beautiful.” He winked at me as he held my truck door open.

“You do realize that you don’t have to stop by the grill this early in the morning to see me, right?” I teased him as I buckled my seatbelt.

“Why break tradition?”

“You’re so silly sometimes, you know that?” I laughed at him.

“It keeps you interested.” He smiles back at me while leaning in for a kiss.

“Drive safe and I’ll see you in a bit.” He placed one more kiss against my lips before pulling away from my truck and allowing me to pull out onto the main road.

The morning part of my shift ran pretty much like any other day. I served Mr. Henderson and chatted with him about our Sunday adventure while he listened and smiled. Gavin came in at his usual nine o’clock and flirted shamelessly with me and then headed off to work. At about eleven-thirty AM, there was a flurry of people as it was the crossover time between breakfast to lunch. It kept me busy and hustling, and the time flying. By the time I was able to just grab myself a glass of water, it was well after one thirty in the afternoon.

“So?” Ash sat next to me as I cleared out my trays of dirty dishes and walked behind the counter to place a load in the dishwasher since it had slowed down.

“So? Care to elaborate?” I answered her even though I knew pretty damn well where she was going with this.

“Oh, you want me to drag it out do you?” She cocked an eyebrow.

“I said I would tell him this week. As of right now it has only been twenty-four hours since I told you.” I responded without making eye contact. You said you would tell him today! Seriously? Just give me a break, and she doesn’t need to know that. If she does, she will make me even more nervous than I already am. Fine! But Today! Ugh.

“Fine. Just so you know, I will be asking every day, because I believe the sooner you tell him, the better you’ll feel, and the sooner we can go to Hunter’s uncle.” Ash whispers softly in the last part. I take a deep breath before looking up at her.

“I know. I will. It’s just not easy talking about all that shit… I feel a little embarrassed and… ugh… I don’t know… I’m just tired…” I struggle through the lump in my throat. I really am just tired of all this crap in my past. I wish I could just erase everything, except for the memories of my mom.

“I can’t begin to understand what you are feeling or the trauma you carry around with you. What I do know is that you are one tough bitch, and Logan is damn lucky to call you mom. Just remember that you are no longer alone, and you got people ready to go to war with you to protect, not only Logan but you, too.” Ash gets up from her stool and walks around to me and wraps me in a tight hug. I don’t know why, but I really needed to hear that. The fact that it was coming from her just gave me the strength I needed to put my big girl panties on and tell Gavin. Tonight. That’s my girl!

“Thanks, Ash. For everything. I owe you big time.” I pull back from our embrace to look at her.

“Just tell the dude, so we can put all this drama behind us! Shit girl, here I thought I was full of drama.” With that, she has me laughing as if I don’t have a care in the world. We carry out the rest of our shift and before I know it, it's just after four and time to go pick up my little guy. I’m just about to head out when one of the other servers calls out for me.

“Hey, Bailey! This was left for you at one of my tables.” Carol, one of the high school part-timers, hands me a white envelope with my name typed on it. Odd.

“Thanks. Do you know who left if for me, by any chance?” I questioned as I hold the envelope in my hand feeling as if it weighs a tone.

“No, actually. I was just cleaning up some tables and noticed this behind on one of the back booths. I don’t really remember who sat there since it was quite busy when I started." Hmm, odd, and somewhat creepy.

“That’s alright. Thanks for giving it to me. Have a good shift.” I wave to her as I walk out the front door towards my truck. I debate on reading the letter before heading home but notice the time on the dash and if I head now to the grocery store, I’ll still have enough time to get back to the school to pick up Logan for five o’clock. I’ll just read it once I’m home. Maybe it was Gavin being all sweet. With a bright smile I pull out of the parking lot and head out onto the main road.

“Hey mom! Is Gavin coming over for dinner with Zeus again?” Logan calls from the living room where he is currently sitting and working on some crafts.

“Yes, they are.” I say as I go through my purse looking for the Chapstick I bought earlier today. With the warm weather my lips seem to always feel extra dry. It’s then I notice the white envelope Carol gave me from my mysterious admirer. Still thinking it’s Gavin, I open the letter with excitement, and my heart racing at wondering what he could have possibly have written to me. Once I get the letter unfolded, everything stops.

You know when you’re watching a movie, and it’s at the part where something horrible is about to happen, and the music changes so you can actually hear the main character’s heart-pounding? Well, that’s exactly what just happened the moment I read that letter.

I swear by all the salt in me: If you run counter to my desire, the remainder of your brief mortal span will be an orchestra of misery.

He’s found me. The inscription is from his favorite novel, The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss. How? When? I can’t come up with the answers fast enough when there’s a knock on my door and Logan excitedly yelling that it’s Gavin and Zeus.

I walk quickly on autopilot and call out Gavin’s name when he answers, and I hear Zeus bark I swing the door open with relief to see the man that I have become so comfortable with, and to whom I am about to bare my soul to, and hope he’ll help me protect Logan when he quietly hands me a piece of paper.

Everything is happening so damn fast, and yet, so damn slow. When I look down at what he has given me I just about throw up right there and pass out.

MISSING CHILD
AGE FIVE WAS KIDNAPPED TWO MONTHS AGO
SUSPECT IS ARMED AND DANGEROUS

There’s a picture of Logan, and right underneath, my picture sits as the main suspect for his kidnapping.