Chapter 31
CONSTANCE
I wake up before the alarm, as I always do. It’s as if my body has its own internal clock, even on the weekends, when all I want to do is sleep in. I haven’t opened my eyes, letting my hand slip underneath the pillow, willing my body to go back to sleep.
Then yesterday comes crashing back on me like a tidal wave, trying to pull me under, drowning me with all that could’ve happened if it wasn’t for Morgan.
But it instantly falls away. There’s no lingering panic or dread. Morgan saved me. He promised me I’d be safe. My chest rises and falls, but there’s no clenching fear.
That’s when I realize that any fear I had is gone now. Not erased, but quiet. My eyes slowly flutter open, hoping that Morgan will be there beside me. But he isn’t. He didn’t come back.
Sitting up, I swing my feet off the edge of the bed onto the floor. The aroma of coffee tickles my nose and I stand, pull on a robe, and follow the scent out of the room.
Chance couldn’t have made it. Did I pre-set the coffeemaker and just not remember? I shake off the thoughts and continue moving.
I stop by Chance’s room and quietly open his door, just enough to peek in on him. He’s still sound asleep. It takes everything in me not to step into his room and wrap him up in my arms. But he needs his sleep.
When I step inside the kitchen, I see Morgan, barefoot, sleeves rolled up, stirring something in a pan, like he’s done it a thousand times. He must’ve heard me, since he turns to look at me.
“Morning,” he says softly.
“Morning,” I answer, overcome by surprise at how easily it slips off my tongue.
“Sit down, I have your coffee ready and I’m almost done with breakfast.”
I don’t know what to say, what to think. My body feels numb as I move over to the table and sit down.
“You came back?”
“I did.” He sets the steaming mug down in front of me, and I smile when I see it has the perfect shade of creamer in it. He even added a dollop of whipped cream and some caramel drizzle.
I bite my lower lip, trying to figure out how to ask if we’re safe. Do I need to keep looking over my shoulder, waiting for Miles to attack again?
“Is…” I try to speak, but the words don’t come. He kneels down beside me, taking my hand in his.
“You don’t have to worry. He’ll never bother you again. I’ve taken care of it.”
“You promise?” I hold back the tears.
“I do.”
Chance appears a second later, his hair a tousled mess, one sock half on, the other completely missing.
“I’m hungry,” he announces with a huge yawn.
“Then you’re in luck. You’re right on schedule,” Morgan stands up and heads over to the stove. “I’m making pancakes, bacon, and eggs. Maybe your mom can help me and cut up some of this fruit for toppings if you ask her nicely.”
Chance beams. “Please, Mommy!” He clasps his hands together, holding them under his chin as he drags out his request.
I lean over to where he’s sitting beside me and kiss his forehead. “When you ask like that, how can I say no?”
Standing up, I move over to the counter, open the cabinet and pull down some plates, as well as a large mixing bowl for the fruit, along with Chance’s favorite blue cup. Then I open the drawer and take out a knife and begin cutting up the fruit: strawberries, blueberries, and pineapple.
This is all second nature to me. It’s all things I’ve done a million times over the years since Chance was born. But today it feels different.
Morgan picks up a plate and starts placing food on it.
I see the portions are smaller, so it must be for Chance.
Next, he makes a plate for each of us. He strategically picks them up and carries them over to the table while I pick up the bowl of fruit and the syrup.
Once he has the plates set down, he grabs some silverware and his own cup of coffee and sets them on the table.
I quickly fill Chance’s cup with some juice and join them.
Morgan passes Chance a fork, but it slips from my sweet boy's hand and hits the floor. I wait for Morgan to get upset and yell, but he doesn’t.
“It’s okay, buddy.” Morgan bends over, picking it up from the floor.
“Five-second rule?” Chance asks.
Morgan tilts his head to the side, holding back a laugh. “It’s been on the floor for at least seven. So that rule doesn’t apply.”
Chance groans. “That’s unfair.”
“Life is full of difficult truths,” he tells him. “Let me get you another one.”
Chance laughs and I can’t help but sit and watch their interaction. How easily they act around each other.
“Eat up. We still need to get you to school.”
We spend breakfast eating, laughing and listening to Chance talk about school and the movie he wants to go see.
When we’re done, I stand to clear the dishes, but Morgan stops me. “I got it. The two of you go get dressed.”
My eyes go wide. It’s been so long since someone has taken care of me that I forgot how much I missed it.
Twenty minutes later, we’re all in the living room, dressed and ready to go.
Morgan crouches down to help Chance with his shoes, tying the laces carefully. Chance leans into him without hesitation, placing his hands on his shoulders for balance.
“Can you pick me up again today, Mr. Morgan?” Chance asks.
“I can if you want me to.” I feel the tear sliding down my cheek and quickly swipe it away.
“I do. You won’t forget?”
Morgan meets his eyes. “I don’t forget things that matter.”
Chance nods, satisfied. Children know. They always do.
My hand goes to my heart as I quickly turn and head to the kitchen, needing a moment, and hurriedly pack Chance’s lunch. I make his sandwich, cutting it into triangles, then slipping it into a Ziploc bag. Next, I add some chips and some of the fruit from this morning, before adding a juice box.
I don’t even realize Morgan followed me to the kitchen until he places his hands on my hips and I feel his hot breath on my neck.
“You don’t have to do everything yourself.”
I almost laugh. “It’s a reflex. I’ve been doing it for so long.”
“I’m not here to replace you,” he says gently. “I’m here to stand by your side and help you.”
Chance comes running into the kitchen, backpack on, laughing like he doesn’t have a care in the world… he shouldn’t.
“Let’s go,” he says excitedly.
“You heard the boy. Let’s go.” Morgan takes my hand in his, giving me just enough time to grab Chance’s lunchbox as we head out the door.
I no longer feel the need to be invisible. Not because Morgan claimed me. But because I chose him.. We chose each other.