Redemption

by Brent, Amy

  Who the hell wants to feed on scraps that haven’t been cooked?

  Ben pulled the Jeep up and to a halt by the auto repair shop and Mexican diner. If it was a place which had scraps, that’s where Travis could be hiding. We ambled around the rear of the buildings and attracted a couple of stares from the locals until we mentioned what we were doing. It wasn’t often a couple were seen snooping around by dumpsters. So far, there was no sign of Travis, and we even spotted another team on the far side of the road. They raised their arms to signal they hadn’t found him either.

  Time ticked by and I was worried, what would happen if the worst did happen and something bad had gone on? I almost asked Ben the question when his phone rang, and I was glad to be interrupted. My mind was whirring like a storm, mostly from the lack of sleep.

  “Where? Yeah, I know it well, my kid goes to pre-school in that area,” he said, loudly, into the mouthpiece of his cell. He turned to me with a smile on his face. “They’ve found him, thank God.”

  “Where is he?”

  “He’s not far from here. He’s hiding around the back of Jacob’s pre-school.”

  We headed over and spotted the cars parked in front of the self-storage yard. Everyone parted once we jumped out and headed in their direction.

  “It’s up to you now,” Ben said while he looked at me.

  That was something else which hadn’t crossed my mind. I knew Travis better than anyone. “Let me through,” I said, stepping into the end of the alley. I turned and saw that Ben was right behind me.

  Ben moved up to my side, and we ambled down the alley. I spotted the cardboard cartons moving when we approached. We stopped, and the top of a khaki hood and a pair of green eyes stared at us. I sensed Travis was petrified, and he must’ve been hungry and thirsty.

  I crouched so I was at eye level with him. “Travis, it’s okay, no one’s going to hurt you.”

  “They made me do it,” he bumbled, with saliva dribbling from his cracked lips.

  “No, it’s your pills. You need them. You know your dreams? Well, they aren’t real.”

  Travis squealed and waved his fingers in front of his face. The carton fell to the floor, and his body remained huddled up tightly against the side of the crate and the building.

  “Come on Travis.” I held my hand out for him. He sobbed and finally reached forward. His dirt-covered fingers rested on my hand.

  “Lindsey, is that you?”

  I comforted him and said that yes, it was me. I glanced over my shoulder, and I was sure I noticed a tear in Ben’s eye. I helped Travis to stand. His legs buckled, and Ben lunged forward to catch him.

  “I got you, bro,” he said, supporting him. We walked him toward the Jeep. Travis shook wildly as he saw the rest of the search party. Tears streamed down his ash-covered skin.

  “I’m sorry,” he blurted out.

  Ben helped Travis into the rear seat of the Jeep. He pulled Jacob’s car seat out and threw it into the far back. “You need to sit with him.” I sidled up beside him and held his hand. He smelled awful, like a homeless person would. I was so relieved that we’d found him.

  Ben closed the door, and we headed over to the hospital. Paul and Nicole followed while the search party decided to go for breakfast while they waited for an update. The hospital wasn’t too far of a drive, much like everything else in Estes; most things were a stone’s throw away. The nurses took Travis and cleaned him up before the doctor came to check on him. We stood at the window of his room. His head rested on the pillow, and he looked in our direction. Travis lifted his hand, and I spotted the tube which was inserted into the back. He waved.

  Ben and I took a seat and waited. The door finally opened, and the doctor walked into the hallway. “He’s under sedation,” he said. “But he’s fine. He must take his meds, or it’ll happen again.”

  I smiled. “I’ve got his mom’s number. I’ll give her a call later.”

  “You’d better, or he’ll end up hurting himself, or maybe someone else.”

  It was good news, or at least, it was news that wasn’t too bad. There was nothing mentally wrong with Travis which his medication wouldn’t put right. We headed toward the diner. The door opened, and we handed the news to everyone. They all cheered.

  “You want to head off or have something to eat?” Ben asked.

  “To be honest, I want to do both.” I was thrilled and hungry and tired all at the same time.

  Ben

  Jacob stood in Mom’s doorway waiting for me when I arrived. His backpack hung from Mom’s hand while she stood behind him and watched me walk from the Jeep up the driveway. I’d already told her not to give Jacob breakfast because I had a treat in store for him. I knew he’d love it because it was his favorite after chicken and rice. This was different, though, this was breakfast. There was only one place which “cut the mustard” in Jacobs' eyes.

  I strapped him into his car seat, which I’d returned to its rightful place right after taking Travis to the hospital. I’d also cleaned the inside of the Jeep yesterday afternoon because it was hard to guess what Travis might’ve sat in while he skulked up the back alley. Jacob sang, or mumbled words which made no sense. He asked a few times where we were going, but I kept it secret. It had been a while since we’d been there for breakfast. Most of the time it was just him and me at home, or he was at my mom’s. This place was for special occasions.

  Jacob pushed his head against the window when he recognized where he was. I watched him in the rearview mirror while his head snapped back and he pulled forward on his restraints. His arms shot into the air as he shouted.

  “Yeeaah, Egg and I. Woo hoo!”

  Being his favorite place was an understatement. Jacob waved his arms from side to side shouting “Egg!” ss I pulled into the parking lot. He squirmed when I popped open the catch on his harness. He waddled, dragging me across the parking lot and headed straight for the claw machine. His head rested on the glass while he checked out which toys were available.

  “Are you hungry?” I asked.

  “Yeah starving,” he replied, while he peeled his face from the glass. He breathed one last time and ran his fingertips through the condensation. “Later.” He pointed at the machine like it understood he’d be coming back after breakfast. Jacob slipped onto the bench seat, and I slid at the side of him as we went over the menu. For him, it was a waste of time because he only ever wanted the pancakes or the waffles.

  “I want an egg.”

  “What? What’s wrong with the pancakes?” I asked.

  “Lin-see.”

  I saw a glint in Jacob’s eye, and it was evident that he liked her. I couldn’t blame him for that.

  “You want egg because of Lindsey?”

  “Dada, nooo. Lin-see there.” Jacob twisted my head to look over at the door. Lindsey walked inside with Nicole.

  Well isn’t this a coincidence.

  I stood and called across the full restaurant. I waved as Nicole poked Lindsey in her back and pointed in my direction. Her hand lifted, and I saw her smile from that distance, which was a good sign. I waved them over to join us, and it made sense because we were only taking up half of the table and the other half was free. I turned back to sit and saw Jacob. He’d already slid from the seat and was now perched on the opposite side. His hand slapped on the vinyl when Lindsey approached the table.

  “Lin-see, sit here,” he said, now with a massive grin on his face. Lindsey sat next to Jacob, and he stood to throw his arms around her neck. Nicole slid onto the seat and inched her way closer to the window.

  “I’m having an egg,” Jacob said.

  “Wow, and I would’ve thought you would want pancakes?”

  “Lin-see, I’m a big boy. Eggs all the way!”

  The waitress handed out another menu to Lindsey and Nicole. I peered over the top of the menu while Lindsey ignored reading hers and was busy playing with Jacob who seemed to be over the moon that she’d arrived. We ordered and waited as the waitress vanished beh
ind the counter and handed the order to the kitchen. Jacob dumped his free puzzle on the table and began shuffling the pieces. He looked up, confused.

  “Here, let me help with your puzzle,” Lindsey said while she turned her body to face Jacob.

  I turned to Nicole and then turned back to watch the two of them playing together. It was hard to believe they’d only seen each other a couple of times before. It was good to see, and I noticed from the corner of my eye that Nicole was smiling from ear to ear.

  The waitress returned with a tray full of plates and handed them out. Jacob lifted his bacon and held it to Lindsey. “Here you go. I owe you one.”

  Lindsey smiled and looked over at Nicole, her brow furrowed, and she slipped into bashful mode. The breakfasts were as good as ever, and I felt my belly stretch from eating way too much. That always happened when we managed to visit the place. Jacob tried his best to use his knife and fork and turned to Lindsey for assistance—again. She took over and sliced his bacon into kiddie mouth-sized pieces. He stabbed them with his fork and dipped them into the middle of the runny yolk, which oozed like a yellow volcano across his plate.

  We chatted about Travis, and how I needed to make sure an incident like that would never happen again. Even if I had it put onto a waiver. But any of the clients could miss the section and say it was a mistake or lie about it altogether. Nicole said it would be better if Lindsey vetted the ex-forces guys first. They might still lie about any medication, but they’d probably show signs of instability or the likelihood of losing it and taking their emotions out on another client.

  “I think you’re right,” I commented. “But that depends if Lindsey’s okay with it.”

  “Huh, what were you saying? I was helping Jacob.”

  “You should vet all the PTSD guys who sign up for Ben’s lessons,” Nicole explained.

  “Yeah! Good idea.” Lindsey blanked us again and continued chatting with Jacob. Nicole huffed and whispered about how to get her attention.

  “Lindsey, I’m pregnant!” she thundered, laughing as Lindsey looked at her.

  Lindsey snapped out of her little world where she and Jacob played together, and then she turned to face us. She apologized and said she’d been enjoying herself. She didn’t need to tell us that though, because we could see it. Her eyes twinkled, and her smile was the largest I’d seen since we’d had sex.

  “What were you saying about pregnancy?”

  “Who said anything about pregnancy?” Nicole replied in a white lie.

  Lindsey looked confused and appeared to think she’d misheard Nicole. She finished eating her breakfast when Jacob leaned back against the seat and patted his belly.

  He blew through his lips. “Stuffed.”

  We giggled at him because of his over-the-top acting, and it was so funny to see his face. He’d managed to eat two yolks and two slices of bacon. The white sat on his plate looking like it had been through an operation. He sat and sipped on his juice.

  “Dada, it’s time!” he said. I checked my pockets and cursed under my breath, knowing it was gonna cost me. “Can I get a toy from the claw?”

  “Oh no, I don’t have any coins on me,” I replied.

  Jacob screwed his face up and slumped back into his seat. Lindsey pushed her hand into her pocket and pulled out a fistful of coins.

  “How much is it?” she asked. Jacob looked into the palm of her hand and pointed at some of the coins. Lindsey turned back to me and said she’d take Jacob to the machine if it was okay.

  Of course, I know where you live.

  “You’re the best Lin-see.” Jacob hugged her and started to push her from her seat.

  Next, he turned and slid, belly side down. His hand reached up, and he grabbed hold of her fingers. I watched with Nicole as they wandered out from the restaurant door. A blinking red light shone around the walls as Jacob dropped in the first coin.

  “I made the arm move!” he said, yelling loudly.

  “Do they always get on this well?” Nicole asked.

  “Ever since Jacob stole her bacon, but that was the morning when Lindsey freaked and left.”

  Nicole nodded. I sensed she knew which night I was talking about, but I carried on with the conversation, anyway. A good pair of fresh eyes looking at the situation could help loads.

  “She said she was on the spot and that your mom probably hates her.”

  “I told Lindsey this already—my mom has always adored Lindsey. She even likes her more than my ex,” I replied.

  “Where’s your ex?” Nicole asked.

  I shook my head. “With her new boyfriend, and I don’t really care, to be honest. It’s hard raising Jacob, but I’ve got Mom who’s a huge help.”

  Nicole laughed and placed her hand on my shoulder. She gave it a squeeze. A friendly one. “Who’d have thought you of all people would end up in this position,” she said. “Married yes, but single parent? Not a chance.”

  She didn’t need to mention it to me. All of this was on top of opening a new business which was still surprising to me that it was going so well. Single parent material I wasn’t, or at least I wasn’t before Jacob was left in my care. To be honest, I didn’t have much of a choice. Thrown in the deep end and do the best you can. It works when learning to swim, so fatherhood couldn’t be too much different. At least, that’s what I kept telling myself.

  “They do get on well together, I have to admit. Lindsey thinks she’d be a crap mom.” Nicole smiled. “I didn’t mean it like that. Lindsey was talking in general, and I think for as smart as she is, she got this one totally wrong.”

  I smiled, knowing how well she was doing with Jacob. “You can say that again. I think she’d be a great mom at the right time.”

  I wasn’t sure how far Lindsey could go in this direction. She might, after all, only be filling a void of never having played with kids. Most people knew that kids were for life, and not just for Christmas, so to speak. You couldn’t return them and get a refund. Being a mother or father was serious business.

  “You know, it was a long time ago, and I think you need to speak to Lindsey properly,” Nicole commented. I know I should but— “If you don’t speak to her, you’ll never go any further forward from where you are now.”

  I knew that too, but it wasn’t as easy as everyone thought it was. I needed to get settled with myself and find the time when I could speak to Lindsey privately. With everything that was going on in my life, I never could seem to find the time, no matter how much I wanted to.

  “If you care for her, of course, and I can see you do because I’ve known you long enough to recognize the signs. I have a pretty good memory, and I still know what it was like all those years ago.”

  “Painful, that’s what it was,” I replied.

  “Well, it’s between you two, and it doesn’t matter what I say about it. There’s only the two of you that can sort it out.”

  I sighed as I thought about what Nicole was saying. She was right, and things were similar to how they were all those years ago. Or at least they were heading in that direction. Nicole was always right, and half the time it seemed she should be the therapist and not the other way around.

  “If you don’t speak to her, you’ll never know one way or the other. You know it, I know it, and I’m damned sure that Lindsey knows it too.”

  The door opened and screams of jubilation rang out as Jacob thrust his arm into the air with his new toy. He pushed his way between the tables.

  “Think about what I’ve said,” Nicole remarked.

  Don’t worry. I’ve thought about nothing else.

  Lindsey

  I locked the doors on the camp. It had been a long while since that happened on a Tuesday. It wasn’t the case of no clients, but all the girls had taken a shine to Ben’s camp and wanted to take part in the day’s events. It was a new one for both camps, and Ben’s would be heaving at the seams with so many people roaming around the place. The exciting thing for the girls was the self-defense, and this wasn
’t one of the regular classes. Ben came up with the idea of taking it back to the streets, so everyone could get a real taste of what it was like. He’d taught them all the Jason-Bourne-type techniques, and now it was time for the real deal. Ben had some MMA fighters who used his camp to gain an advantage, and much of what they did was street fighting.

  Girls and street fighters, what a freakin’ mix-up that was going to be, and I was as excited as any of those girls. I turned onto the dirt track, and as the dust cleared, I spotted all of Ben’s recruits introducing themselves to my girls. The MMA fighters were easy to notice as they were in—

  My god, those shorts are tight and small.

  Now I realized why the girls were so excited. Solid slabs of muscle grinding away at the girls’ bucking bodies on the crash mats—who wouldn’t be up for a day of that? I had Ben for that if we could sort our shit out. It had been long enough, and I knew we needed to talk.

  Maybe I should book him a session and get him alone?

  Ben introduced the day’s events, and his public speaking made me go weak at the knees for some reason.

  I leaned on Nicole and grinned.

  “You two should get a room,” she commented, followed by a cheeky chuckle.

  All my girls sat cross-legged. Ben’s guys stood behind as the first two stood in the center of the ring. The MMA fighter stood and looked slightly oiled because of how the light caught his muscled torso.

  Wow.

  “MMA is more than it appears. It isn’t only about punching and kicking. The ground game is where most of the action is. We’ll run through some of the moves, and then we’ll pair up and put them into practice,” Tyson boomed.

  I glanced around to see where Ben was. I couldn’t see him anywhere.

  Tyson yelled again. “This move is for all of the women here. It is the rear naked choke.” All the girls laughed and giggled, with a few obviously-red faces dotted around the crash mats.