Cricket: Ember's Story

Making Amends

Today is the day. The day I'm getting Cricket back. I haven't seen Jesse again since that cold day in April. My visits with Cricket have been uneventful since then, except for Cruz interrogating me.

"What's the story between you two? I sensed a great deal of tension," she told me the next time I came to visit Cricket after the scene with Jesse.

I shrugged. "Bad break up."

"Is he really interested in being in Cricket's life?"

"No. He's interested in getting me back."

Cruz nodded knowingly. "I've seen a lot of people play that game at the expense of their children. It's never good for them."

"You think I don't know that? Why do you think I left his ass?" I said, throwing my hands up.

"Do you have a restraining order? They're hard to get without proof of stalking or domestic violence but-"

"I don't have a restraining order. I just got out of there fast. He gave me a concussion the last time we were together."

Cruz raised an eyebrow. "So there's violence involved?"

I nodded my head.

"He won't be allowed in the building again," she told me, and even though it didn't set my mind totally at ease, it helped.

Today, I'm surprised to see Cricket's foster mother sitting on a bench at the end of the hallway when I walk in the building. She's sobbing softly into her hands. I can tell she hasn't seen me yet.

I could just ignore her.

That would be easiest.

It's not like I owe her anything.

I try to force myself to walk, but all I can think about is how nice she's been to me and especially Cricket.

Grudgingly, I walk over to her. "Hey. It's Mia, right?"

Mia raises her wet eyes and forces a smile. "Yes. Ember. Cricket's mother. I remember. Ha! Remember, Ember."

She's joking about the way my name rhymes, and I laugh good-naturedly to lighten the moment even though I've heard the joke a zillion times, but tears still slide down her red cheeks.

"You're getting back one sweet and amazing little boy," she says in a choked voice.

"I'm sure he's only that way because he had someone to love him. Thank you," I mumble.

Mia sniffs and reaches into her purse for a crinkled tissue that looks used.

"I fell in love with him. Couldn't help it," she says, shaking her head. "Classic mistake. It always happens like this, and it's all my fault. Don't worry about me, I'm fine. I feel like this every time I give a kid back."

"I feel like I'm stealing him or something," I say, a little irritated.

Mia grabs both of my hands and looks into my eyes intently. "No, Ember! You're his mother! You're the most important person in his life! You are not stealing him! He's yours."