Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 42491 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 212(@200wpm)___ 170(@250wpm)___ 142(@300wpm)
He curled up into my side, throwing both of his legs on top of mine. The only way we could possibly be closer was if he climbed inside my clothing, which I wouldn’t mind.
Just as he did with every movie we watched together, Henley lost himself to the screen. He barely blinked as he focused on the little cartoons, and laughed at every joke. I loved seeing him happy, but what I loved more was knowing that this happiness stemmed from sharing this with me.
I squeezed him a little tighter, smiling down at him as he watched the mouse create his culinary masterpiece. If I could hand design my perfect life, I would build it exactly as it was; with Henley next to me. The details didn’t matter. All I needed was my beautiful boy.
Chapter Ten
Henley
I sighed as I looked at the clock for the tenth time in the past two minutes. “This day is going so slowly,” I told Officer Bear, who was sitting on my lap on the couch, and he agreed.
I had the day off of work, but Daddy didn't, so I was waiting at my apartment for his shift to be over. Then I was going to go to his house for dinner and playtime. But waiting was hard.
I tried to play with my toys, but it wasn't the same when I was alone. Now that I'd played with Daddy, it was what I craved. I loved the way he watched me, or even jumped into my games with me. He made every part of life better just by being there.
So, I tried to find other ways to occupy myself. I ate a Pop-Tart for breakfast and then cleaned the kitchen afterwards. Since that killed some time, I decided to clean the whole apartment, but since it wasn't very big, it didn't take very long. Finally, Officer Bear and I just sat on the couch and mindlessly flipped through channels on TV.
I was half paying attention to an episode of SpongeBob SquarePants when I was surprised by a knock at my front door. No one ever came to visit me except my father and Daddy, and they were both at work.
I turned off the television and tossed the remote onto the coffee table before shuffling to the door. When I opened it, my heart leapt when I saw Daddy on the other side. But then it fell just as quickly when I realized something was wrong.
He shouldn't be here. Not that I didn't want him with me every moment, but he was supposed to be working, which meant something took him away from his job. Something was bad enough to make him leave.
It took one swipe of my gaze to see what it was; the sleeves and sides of his uniform top were covered in dark, dried stains. Blood. My eyes instantly filled with tears as I reached for him. “You're hurt!” Horrible thoughts sped through my mind; is that why he is here? To see me one last time and say goodbye?
I cupped his cheeks and he covered my hands with his own. “It's not mine,” he replied in a shaky voice, and my heart could beat again. But it was still breaking for him; his eyes were swollen and red-rimmed. His beard was matted where tears had fallen. His lips quaked as he repeated quietly, “It's not mine.”
I didn't know what happened, but it was obvious he needed my support. He needed me. Whatever he'd been through, whatever was wrong, he came to me. I was grateful for the blessing, and determined to do anything I could to help.
“It's going to be okay, Daddy,” I promised, because I wouldn't stop until it was so. “Come in.” I closed the door behind him and led him to the loveseat, putting my bear on the floor to give us plenty of room.
He sat down first and immediately pulled me onto his lap. He needed me close, and I was happy to oblige. I snuggled into his chest and asked, “What happened?”
It took a while for him to answer; Daddy just held me tight, rubbing his hands up and down my back. “Take all the time you need,” I whispered. “I'm right here.” I'd never leave him.
Eventually, he took in a deep, shaky breath. “I got dispatched to an accident on Highway 52. Possible injuries were reported, but I wasn't prepared for what I found.”
I closed my eyes and braced myself for what I was about to hear. Daddy needed to share what he'd been through; to get it all out so he could start healing.
“There were three cars involved; a group of high school seniors skipping school to have a day of fun together. All of them, even the drivers, were sending text messages between the cars. They were going too fast and not paying attention. They were just kids, not thinking there would be any consequences to their fun.