Stay with Me (With Me #8)

Prologue

Drew – age four

The house was a mess, but Mama wasn’t mad. Drew sat on the floor, playing with his Legos and watching Elmo on TV. Mama said that they were packing special things… Drew wasn’t sure what she was talking about, but Tristan was mad and Julia was crying last night.

He looked around the room and spotted the picture of Tristan sitting on their papa’s lap. Knowing that it was special, Drew climbed the shelf and took it down. He saw his backpack from daycare and put the picture inside. It was safe now. He nodded and went back to his Legos.

That night before bed, Drew was cuddled in the big chair with his daddy. He was reading Drew a story about the fluffy flowers that you blow on. Drew didn’t completely understand everything going on, but Daddy said that Mama would make everything right when they got to their new home.

“What did you do with my picture?” Tristan yelled as he slammed into the room. “I know you took it. It’s my picture of Papa and me. Not yours.”

Drew turned his face into his daddy’s chest and tried to hide.

“Tristan Michael Nolan, you better watch your tone,” Daddy said. He was using his soldier voice, and Drew started to shake. “Shhh, it’s okay, cuddle bug.” His daddy put a kiss on his head.

“But Dad, he’s always taking my stuff. Why can’t he leave it alone?” Tristan wasn’t yelling anymore but he sounded mad. Drew peeked at his brother. His face was red. Oh, no.

Drew pulled away from his daddy and climbed down from the chair. He went to his backpack and pulled out the picture of Tristan and their grandfather. “Mama said we needed to ‘tect the special things,” he said as he handed it to Tristan. “It’s the mostest special thing, so I ‘tect it.”

Tristan grabbed the picture and hugged it. “It’s mine.” Daddy made a sound that made both boys look at him. Daddy stared at Tristan. Drew wasn’t sure what he was doing but Tristan started to squirm.

“Don’t you have something to say, Tristan?” Daddy asked.

“But Dad, he’s always taking my stuff,” Tristan said.

“Tristan Michael, if you don’t check your attitude, I can guarantee this move will not be pleasant for you.” Daddy wasn’t happy.

“Fine. Thanks Drew.” Tristan didn’t look at them as he stormed out of the room.

“Come here, cuddle bug.” Drew climbed back into his daddy’s lap. “I know you were doing what Mama said. That we needed to protect our special things but next time, ask Mama or me before you put something away.”

Drew thought about it for a minute. He was just trying to make sure that Tristan’s picture was safe. Guess Tristan thought he was too small to keep it safe. He closed his eyes and whispered, “Okay, Daddy.”

§ § § §

Brody – age four

He’d been sitting on the bench for a long time.

Mama had given him his backpack and told him to be good and stay put.

Brody could see a clock with big and little arms but didn’t know what it said.

He was working on his numbers at preschool but he still messed them up.

Brody looked over when the door to the store opened, hoping his mama was back.

He was hungry. A policeman came in and walked over to the girl with an apron on.

While they talked, they kept looking over at Brody.

Oh, no. He was going to be in trouble with Mama for a policeman watching him.

She didn’t like it when people looked at him.

Brody closed his eyes. If he couldn’t see them, they couldn’t see him.

“Hey, little man, can I sit next to you?” a man asked.

Brody felt the man sit next to him on the bench.

He peeked through his lashes and saw the policeman.

He was going to bed hungry for making Mama mad again.

At least he wasn’t getting a spanking from Hal.

Well, he hoped he wasn’t. Mama’s friend wasn’t nice.

“Can you tell me your name?” the police man asked.

“Brody Walker. I’m four. My birthday is March twelve,” Brody said quickly. He’d learned his name at school and knew his birthday.

“Oh, wow. You’re big. Do you know where your house is?” Brody nodded, then shook his head. They were learning about where houses were but he couldn’t remember where his was.

“Do you know your mother’s name?” The man smiled as he talked to Brody. Maybe Mama wouldn’t be mad at him.

“Mama,” Brody said. He watched as the man frowned. The radio on the man’s shoulder made some noise before he pushed a button and spoke into it.

“Copy. I’m on scene and no sign of a woman. Bringing the boy in,” the man said and stood up. He held out a hand to Brody. “I’m Officer Goodman. Do you want to get a hamburger and ride in my car?”

“I can’t leave. Mama will be mad. But I’m hungry and sleepy.” Brody didn’t know what to do.

“It’s okay, Brody. I’ll make sure that your mama isn’t mad. Let’s get something to eat and maybe take a nap. It’s been a long day for me, too.” Officer Goodman looked like a nice man, and Brody’s teacher said that policemen and firemen were helpers. That helpers were good.

Brody slid off the bench and slipped on his backpack. He held his hand out to the officer and walked out the door.

§ § § §

Drew – age eleven

Drew stood in the kitchen, trying not to fidget as his mother rushed around. She threw things into the fridge and turned off the stove.

“Mom, I don’t want to go to the hospital with you,” Drew whined. Yes, he was whining but he was over ten now. He could stay home alone.

“Andrew Brian Nolan, you will get your backpack and get in the car before I get there or there will be consequences. I don’t have the time to argue with—”

The doorbell cut off his mother and Drew couldn’t decide if that was a good thing or a bad thing as she glared in the direction of the front door. Being the youngest, he did have a little bit of survivor in him.

“Why don’t I get that, Mom?” Drew was moving out of the kitchen before he finished speaking. The minute he opened the door, he was screaming, “Uncle Mooney!” He threw himself at his uncle, knowing he’d be caught.

“Umph,” his uncle groaned. “Drew, when did you get so big?”

“Andrew, why are you yelling?” his mother asked as she got closer. “Mooney! Why are you early? You and Debbie aren’t supposed to be here for a few hours.” Mom tapped his back, so Drew let go of the stranglehold he had on his uncle.

“We got on the road earlier than expected. I dropped Debbie off at Cape Fear to meet up with her friend Mark. I’ve got to head onto post to do a quick surprise inspection on the PEDDs.

CID reached out when they heard I was traveling down for the change of responsibility and asked me to do a favor.

It’s always a good thing when CID owes you a favor.

” Drew hadn’t realized his uncle was in uniform until he bent over for his beret.

Guess Drew had knocked it off. “Where are we meeting for dinner tonight?”

“Um, here?” Mom didn’t sound convinced on that. “Well, I’ll have to ask Kevin if he can handle the cooking. One of my patients is having some complications and the floor just called me. I’m heading over there with Andrew. Kevin’s at Julia’s soccer game and Tristan is at track practice.”

“Mom, please? I can stay by myself.” Yes, Drew was back to whining. Probably didn’t make him sound particularly old enough to stay home alone, but he really didn’t want to sit in the waiting room for hours.

“Andrew Brian, I told you no. Now, get ready.” His mother headed up to the second floor of their house and called over her shoulder, “I’ll have Kevin give you a call, Mooney.”

“Britt, why don’t I take Drew with me?” his uncle offered. “The inspection won’t take long. Then Drew and I will go pick up Debbie. I’ll give Kevin a call and we’ll figure out dinner. You go take care of your patient.”

Drew looked at his mother, hands folded at his chest in prayer. He’d ask whomever he needed to get the result he wanted.

“If you’re sure, Mooney.” His mother looked relieved that his uncle was here.

Drew hung his head and walked over to his mom. “I’m sorry, Mom.” She pulled him into a hug.

“I know it’s hard being the youngest. Be good for your uncle.”

§ § § §

Brody – age twelve

Brody was sitting on the bed in the room he shared with his foster brother when his foster mom, Robin, walked in. She was carrying a trash bag. He looked around the room. There might be some toys and books on the floor but nothing that needed a trash bag.

“Brody, I need you to put your stuff in here,” Robin said as she held out the bag.

He was confused but pushed to the edge of the bed and took the bag. “Why?” he asked, moving toward the dirty laundry basket. Maybe his shorts from soccer smelled bad?

“Grab everything. Miss Evans will be here in about thirty minutes to get you.” Robin was shifting from foot to foot.

“Where is she taking me that I need my stuff? I’ll be back for bedtime,” Brody argued, as he starting stuff his clothes in the bag.

“She’s taking you to your new foster home. I found out that I’m pregnant and since my pregnancy with Tommy was hard, I’m going on bed rest. We can’t keep you,” Robin finished with a shrug. “We don’t have enough room for you, Tommy, and the baby.”

Brody felt the tears forming and turned his face away. He’d learned not to cry in front of people in his first foster home, when the boy there teased him. Guess he didn’t belong here, either.

§ § § §

Drew – age sixteen

Drew sat on his uncles’ back steps and watched their dog, Dizzy, inspect the grass.

Visiting his uncles in Raleigh was one of his favorite things to do.

They’d drive down and grab him for a weekend when Julia had events going on that he didn’t want to attend.

Guess that started with Tristan when he didn’t want to go on a soccer weekend one time.

Of course, it would start with Tris. Couldn’t be something that Drew did first. Oh no, his brother cast a big shadow for him to live in.