Chapter 47
Forty-Seven
Charlie
Molly slept peacefully on the makeshift bed I had made for her out of the blanket I brought.
My cheek still throbbed, but I tried to ignore the pain as I sat on the floor and stared at my sweet girl.
The thought of them doing anything to hurt her made my heart ache worse than the physical pain I was in.
I shifted the diaper bag I had been leaning against when I remembered Jo mentioning a care package she had put together for me when she gave it to me at my baby shower.
If I were lucky, there would be some Tylenol or Ibuprofen to help take the edge off.
I pulled the diaper bag in front of me and started going through it, smiling at the tiny clothes and blankets for Molly.
There was a pack of baby wipes and some diapers, but otherwise the bag was empty.
I frowned, wondering if maybe I had misheard her.
I was so tired that day that things became a blur by the end of it, so it was possible that I had made that up in my head.
But the look on her face when she held my hands and emphasized that she put a care package inside for me kept playing in my memories. It was as if something had shifted in that moment, and she needed me to remember what she said.
I pulled the stuff out of the bag and set it on my lap, running my fingers along the bottom before I found a zipper. I pulled it open, surprised to find a hidden compartment. Inside was a small black bag with a handwritten note on top.
For a rainy day
XOXO, Jo
I blinked back the tears that rushed to the surface as I remembered telling her about the rainy day fund I had put aside for myself before I left. She had not only remembered, but she had used my very words to leave a note that only I would understand.
I grabbed the bag and opened it, surprised to see what was inside.
There was a small first-aid kit with bandages, triple-antibiotic ointment, and a few packs of pain relievers.
Below that was a black box with a ribbon tied around it.
I pulled the ribbon and opened the box to find a gorgeous knife inside with a sheath that matched the one I had seen Jo carry a handful of times.
My fingers trembled slightly as I held it up, admiring its beauty. Taped to the bottom of the box where the knife had been was another note from Jo. I grinned as I read it, knowing she was right.
You’re a bad bitch, Charlie.
You’ve got this.
Now go handle things so you can take care of that sweet girl.
Fuck. Shit. Up.