the news, but lately it’s depressing with all the children being murdered and the terrorist attacks. Each time I hear about one, I want to crawl into bed with Chloe and hold her. She wouldn’t allow that, being almost ten. Apparently it’s no longer cool to do those types of things with your mom.
“I hadn’t heard. Do you want the usual?” I’m not trying to rush him, but don’t want to get caught if more people come in. When he nods, I set off to make his roast beef and bacon grinder.
“This guy’s a real piece of shit.”
“Most politicians are. They’re liars and thieves, taking the taxpayers’ money for hammers and toilet seats that they put in the books for an exorbitant amount. I’m not sure I’ve met one who doesn’t lie.” Bringing his sandwich and a bag of chips over, I rest my hip against the counter.
“Nah, this guy is the scum. Says here he’s being charged with all kinds of crimes against children, like prostitution and rape.”
I cringe at what Adam says. Being a mother, it’s our job to protect our children at all costs. I know I do. I’ve taken measures before to protect Chloe. These men and even woman that sexually harm children … I have no words for them. They should not be walking amongst us, I know that, but as I stand here I have to keep my opinions to myself because Ray doesn’t believe in the death penalty.
“I’d like to get my hands on this guy and squeeze the life out of him,” Adam states in between bites.
“What’s his name?”
Adam returns his focus to the paper before replying, “Lawson. Says here he’s being charged with rape and pedophilia. What a sick fuck.”
Everything around me stops and my body grows cold. I’m having trouble forming a sentence, or getting my mouth to move. I want to tell Adam that he has no idea how deranged this man is, but I can’t. It’s my secret to keep and mine alone. It’s been years—six and a half to be exact—since I’ve heard that name, and I could’ve honestly gone the rest of my life without ever hearing it again.
“Amy? Amy !”
Adam’s yelling gets my attention and I try to compose myself as I look at him. “What?”
“You’re um … well, you’re holding the knife like you’re about to kill someone. I’ve read stories about people blacking out and committing murder, and honestly I don’t want to die today.”
I glance at the knife in my hand, one I don’t remember picking up, and set it down on the counter. Wiping my hands on my apron as if they’re dirty, I step away. I need some water or something, but moving seems so unnatural right now.
Suddenly, the bell above the door chimes and a family walks in. They’re loud and the kids take off in opposite directions, searching for what their hearts desire.
“Amy, are you okay?”
Glancing at Adam, I fake a smile. I nod as memories that I’ve long hidden come rushing back.
The doorbell chimes throughout the house, waking Claire from the nap she was taking on my chest. We’ve been up for who knows how long dealing with her cough and runny nose that sleep has evaded us. I drag my tired ass to the door, pleasantly surprised to see Frannie together with a man dressed in a suit standing there.
“Hey, Fran,” I say, letting her come in. The man follows her, eyeing Claire the entire time.
“Penny, this is my friend from high school, Ted Lawson. He’s a state senator making his rounds and thought he’d spare me some of his time today. This is Penny McCoy. Her husband is the SEAL I was telling you about.”
“What about Tucker?” I ask, mid-yawn and handshake.
“Oh, just that River is his team leader and I’ve been making sure all the wives are doing okay since they’ve been gone.” Her smile is sweet and on the inside I’m rolling my eyes. She doesn’t know jack shit about Ryley or me and is trying to weasel her way into our lives. Frannie married River a few days before the guys deployed. That doesn’t make her the queen bee around
“I hadn’t heard. Do you want the usual?” I’m not trying to rush him, but don’t want to get caught if more people come in. When he nods, I set off to make his roast beef and bacon grinder.
“This guy’s a real piece of shit.”
“Most politicians are. They’re liars and thieves, taking the taxpayers’ money for hammers and toilet seats that they put in the books for an exorbitant amount. I’m not sure I’ve met one who doesn’t lie.” Bringing his sandwich and a bag of chips over, I rest my hip against the counter.
“Nah, this guy is the scum. Says here he’s being charged with all kinds of crimes against children, like prostitution and rape.”
I cringe at what Adam says. Being a mother, it’s our job to protect our children at all costs. I know I do. I’ve taken measures before to protect Chloe. These men and even woman that sexually harm children … I have no words for them. They should not be walking amongst us, I know that, but as I stand here I have to keep my opinions to myself because Ray doesn’t believe in the death penalty.
“I’d like to get my hands on this guy and squeeze the life out of him,” Adam states in between bites.
“What’s his name?”
Adam returns his focus to the paper before replying, “Lawson. Says here he’s being charged with rape and pedophilia. What a sick fuck.”
Everything around me stops and my body grows cold. I’m having trouble forming a sentence, or getting my mouth to move. I want to tell Adam that he has no idea how deranged this man is, but I can’t. It’s my secret to keep and mine alone. It’s been years—six and a half to be exact—since I’ve heard that name, and I could’ve honestly gone the rest of my life without ever hearing it again.
“Amy? Amy !”
Adam’s yelling gets my attention and I try to compose myself as I look at him. “What?”
“You’re um … well, you’re holding the knife like you’re about to kill someone. I’ve read stories about people blacking out and committing murder, and honestly I don’t want to die today.”
I glance at the knife in my hand, one I don’t remember picking up, and set it down on the counter. Wiping my hands on my apron as if they’re dirty, I step away. I need some water or something, but moving seems so unnatural right now.
Suddenly, the bell above the door chimes and a family walks in. They’re loud and the kids take off in opposite directions, searching for what their hearts desire.
“Amy, are you okay?”
Glancing at Adam, I fake a smile. I nod as memories that I’ve long hidden come rushing back.
The doorbell chimes throughout the house, waking Claire from the nap she was taking on my chest. We’ve been up for who knows how long dealing with her cough and runny nose that sleep has evaded us. I drag my tired ass to the door, pleasantly surprised to see Frannie together with a man dressed in a suit standing there.
“Hey, Fran,” I say, letting her come in. The man follows her, eyeing Claire the entire time.
“Penny, this is my friend from high school, Ted Lawson. He’s a state senator making his rounds and thought he’d spare me some of his time today. This is Penny McCoy. Her husband is the SEAL I was telling you about.”
“What about Tucker?” I ask, mid-yawn and handshake.
“Oh, just that River is his team leader and I’ve been making sure all the wives are doing okay since they’ve been gone.” Her smile is sweet and on the inside I’m rolling my eyes. She doesn’t know jack shit about Ryley or me and is trying to weasel her way into our lives. Frannie married River a few days before the guys deployed. That doesn’t make her the queen bee around
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