Blackest Night

by Stephanie Hoffman McManus

  “I’ll get her,” Jeannine offered so helpfully with a bright smile.

  Nikolai turned to her, a big smile on his face as well. “Thank you, sweetheart. At least someone around here is helpful.”

  I rolled my eyes and tried not to gag as Jeannine swooned her way to the back. “Be careful with this one. He bites,” I warned her as she passed, not that I thought it would do much good. She was under his thrall.

  “Only because you wanted me to, pet,” he retorted. “And don’t act like you didn’t like it.”

  I heard Jeannine’s giggle around the corner. This playing nice thing was going to be harder than I thought. I was ready to call him every disgusting name I could think up, but he was saved by the reappearance of his too adorable kid. Is that what Nikolai had looked like as a child? If he was ever a child. I still wasn’t convinced the beast wasn’t spawned fully grown.

  Ignoring Nikolai, I moved to the display case that held the cupcakes. I pulled one of the last remaining chocolate ones from the shelf and reached for a little disposable plate to set it on. Eli’s eyes were on me, or more accurately, they were fixed on the cupcake in my hand, and there was and excited light in them.

  “You like chocolate?” I asked him.

  He nodded emphatically, and I held it out to him. “These are the best chocolate cupcakes in the entire world. A magic cupcake fairy bakes them for us, and this is the last one today, so you’re lucky.” He reached forward, but then stopped himself and shot a near begging look up at his father, who gave a short nod, and then nothing held Eli back from the cupcake.

  “Go pick a seat, kiddo,” his dad told him.

  Eli did as asked. The second his butt was planted in one of the leather upholstered armchairs in the corner, he tore into the cupcake with an enthusiasm I could appreciate. He seemed like such a sweet kid. Nikolai probably didn’t have anything to do with that.

  Nora appeared with Jeannine and hurried around the counter. She caught Nikolai in a hug that I could tell made him uncomfortable. Not a hugging guy that one.

  “How was your guys’ flight?” she asked, releasing him.

  I stole a quick glance at the clock. It was time for me to get out of here. My mind jumped to dinner and I began creating a mental shopping list for the grocery store. I wondered if I could convince Grandmama that burrito Wednesday was a good follow-up to taco Tuesday.

  “What time are you out of here today?” Nikolai asked Nora.

  “I’m here until close tonight. Why?”

  He glanced over his shoulder at his son who was licking chocolate frosting from his fingers. Raking a rough hand through his hair, Nikolai faced Nora again. “I have to go look at that house you and Spence found for me, and hopefully sign papers. My apartment isn’t real kid friendly so I’m hoping to get us into a place as soon as possible. Then, I need to see about getting him into school next week, and a bunch of other shit I have to figure out. Just didn’t want to have to drag him along. Kid’s got to be exhausted. Hasn’t been sleeping well. He’s trying to handle all these new adjustments,” Nikolai blew out a deep breath. “He’s actually handling it all a lot better than I am. He’s a tough kid, but he can only take so much.”

  “Yeah,” Nora said softly. “You’re welcome to leave him here, but I don’t know what kind of babysitter I’ll be if we get busy. I might be able to scrounge up some coloring books, or I can give him my tablet to play games on, but I don’t know how much fun it’ll be for him to sit here.”

  Nikolai let out another sigh, debating Nora’s offer, and suddenly I found myself making a different one before I could stop myself. “I can watch him.”

  They both looked at me. Nora like I’d grown another head and Nikolai like I’d just threatened to steal his kid.

  “It was just a suggestion.”

  Nora’s surprise turned to a smile. Nikolai was still scowling at me. “I don’t think so,” he said.

  “Okay, sorry for trying to help.” Don’t know what came over me, but it wouldn’t happen again.

  “Come on,” Nora jumped in. “Cassie’s great with kids.”

  He raised a skeptical brow at her.

  “She has a lot of babysitting experience, don’t you?”

  I shrugged when he turned his doubtful expression on me. “Babysitting funded my high school years and bought me my first car,” I informed him. My services were widely utilized by the families at Grandmama’s church where she pimped me out. Until I got said car and newly found freedom, and then I had better things to do.

  “I’ll just take him with me,” Nikolai said.

  I glanced over at the kid, sympathy tugging at my heartstrings, thus proving I still had them to tug on. “Nikolai, I’m not going to take him to a bar or a strip club. We’ll just go to the park or see a movie or something. He’ll have fun, you’ll be able to take care of your errands, and I’ll return him to you in one piece, I promise. Unlike you, he’s safe from any ill intentions I may have.”

  “See, that doesn’t make me trust you.”

  I threw up my hands. “I like how you act as if I’m the untrustworthy one here. You’re the–”

  “This isn’t getting us anywhere,” Nora butted in.

  I drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Look, I’ve never lost or broke a kid. Well, except for Timmy Lee, but he was a brat, and really one out of about twenty isn’t bad.”

  Nikolai’s face remained stony.

  “Obviously, I’m kidding. I promise he’ll be fine. After everything he’s been through, he could probably use a day to do kid stuff.”

  Nikolai glanced over at Eli again. When he looked back at me I could tell he was wavering.

  “Nikolai, he’ll be fine.”

  “I want you to text me everywhere you go. I need to know where you are with him at all times, and you never take your eyes off him. Got me? And no more sugar.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  The little furrow in his brow deepened. “I mean it.”

  “I promise to follow your orders, but this means you’ll actually have to give me your number. You know, since you forgot to give it to me before you threw me out of your hotel room that night. I guess it’s a good thing I wasn’t waiting for your call.” I gave him a little smirk. I probably shouldn’t have said that, but I couldn’t resist.

  Instead of responding to my dig, he just drew his wallet from his back pocket. He pulled out a few twenties and what appeared to be a black business card. He handed them to me. “Keep whatever you don’t spend, and my number is on there.”

  “Don’t you want mine?”

  “Already have it.”

  I frowned but didn’t bother asking how he’d got my number.

  “I should be done with everything by six. You plan on driving?”

  “Well, yes, that is how I got to work today.”

  He ignored my smartass tone. “You’ll need his booster seat. I’ll go grab it from the truck.” He left me standing there with Nora and headed for the door, making a quick stop to kneel beside Eli’s chair. He said something, pointed at me and Eli nodded. Then Nikolai stood and exited the shop, returning a minute later with a Batman booster seat.

  The seat was handed off to me, along with several more stern warnings regarding Elijah and how there had better not be a scratch on him at the end of the day.

  “He’s a boy. They get scratches. What do you want me to do, wrap him in bubble wrap?”

  His only response was a hard stare.

  “Fine, no scratches. Got it.”

  Nikolai reluctantly left the shop and I plopped down in the seat beside Elijah. “So, do you like swings?”

  That got me another heart melting smile and an enthusiastic nod. “They’re my favorite. I like to go so high it feels like I’m flying.”

  “They’re my favorite too, and I happen to know where the best swings in the whole city are. They go so high it feels like you can kick the sky. Do you want to check them out with me?”

  Judging by his eager reaction
, I was pretty sure I’d just made a new friend for life. Kids were so much easier than grown-ups.

  Three

  Cassie

  We swung, going as high as we could, giggling at that stomach dropping feeling, and kicking at the sky until our legs gave out and we both slowed to a gentle rocking.

  “What do you say you run around the park a few more minutes and then we go get ice cream?” It was breaking the sugar rule, but I thought we could get away with.

  Elijah used up what was left of his energy on the playground climbing, sliding and monkey barring while I watched from one of the surrounding benches. This had been my favorite park as a kid. It was only a few blocks from Grandmama’s and not much further from the house I’d grown up in with my parents. Most of the equipment had been updated or replaced in recent years. The merry-go-round that had once existed when I was a child had been torn out completely. I was pretty sure they were obsolete these days, which was too bad.

  It wasn’t long before Elijah came running over, red cheeked, his dark hair a mess of curls that hung down over his forehead and ears. “Can we go get ice cream now?”

  “Sure.”

  “Is it the best ice cream in the whole city?” he asked.

  “How’d you know?” I grinned.

  “Because you know where all the best stuff is.” He said certainly.

  I couldn’t help grinning even bigger. “Let’s just text your dad and tell him where we’re going.”

  “Okay.” He bounced along at my side as we walked toward my car, my thumbs fumbling over my keyboard as I typed out the message I was sure would irritate Nikolai and then sent it.

  I was helping Elijah buckle himself into his seat when I felt my phone vibrate. I waited until I was in the driver’s seat before I checked his reply.

  What happened to following my orders? I’m pretty sure I said no more sugar.

  I turned up the volume on my favorite classic rock station and then shot off another text.

  Relax. He earned it playing hard at the park.

  He responded right away.

  One scoop.

  I shook my head and moved my fingers over the keypad.

  How is anyone supposed to pick just one flavor? That’s cruel.

  You haven’t seen cruel yet, pet.

  I read his last response and shook my head. What was with him and calling me pet? I probably should have hated it more than I did. With a tiny grin tugging at the corners of my mouth, I set my phone aside and shifted the car into drive. “Ice cream, here we come.” I met Eli’s excited gaze in the rearview and we both sang along to the AC/DC song that was playing as we drove the short distance to the ice cream shop.

  From there, we ended up at the movie theater seeing the latest animated car flick.

  It was better than I’d expected, although I think I enjoyed so much because Elijah’s giggle was so infectious. Every time he laughed, I couldn’t hold back my own laughter. His reactions were so dramatic. I’d forgotten what it was like to be a kid, entirely in the moment, every emotion right there on the surface, so big and honest. I couldn’t imagine everything he’d dealt with in the past several days. This had to be so hard for him. I was glad I’d been able to give him a few hours where he could swing and eat ice cream and laugh at a silly movie.

  It was nearing six when we exited the theater, and once we were both buckled back into my little Toyota, I dialed Nikolai. He answered on the second ring.

  “How was the movie?”

  “We had a good time. You about finished?”

  “Yeah, I can meet you, or you can bring him to my apartment.”

  “I’ll bring him to you.”

  Nikolai spouted off the address and I typed it into my phone’s GPS even though I was pretty sure I knew where it was.

  “We’ll see you in about fifteen minutes,” I told him and then we hung up.

  “Ready to go to your Dad’s?” I asked over my shoulder.

  “Yeah,” Elijah replied softly. A few minutes passed and then he spoke again. I had to turn the radio down to hear him. “I miss my Mom, but I missed Dad too. I didn’t get to see him all the time. He was gone for work a lot and Mom didn’t like him, but I’m glad I’m going to live with him. I thought he was going to leave me with Mike.”

  “Who’s Mike?”

  “My step-dad. He’s cool, but he’s not . . .”

  “Your dad.”

  I caught his nod in the rearview.

  “I don’t know your dad real well,” I told him, “but I know he loves you more than anything in the world, and I know he’s happy you’re going to live with him.” I wasn’t lying to him. I believed those things. I may have doubted everything else about Nikolai, but I didn’t doubt that this kid was his whole world. I’d seen it in his eyes when he told me I better bring him back without a scratch.

  “My dad’s the best. And you want to know a secret?” he asked, and of course I did.

  “Yes.”

  “My dad is a super hero, like Batman.”

  “Is he really?” I couldn’t fight the grin on my face. My heart might have melted even a little more when I looked into the rearview again and saw the pride and adoration on his face. That right there was almost enough to soften me toward Nikolai. Apparently, he’d done something right to earn that look in his kid’s eyes.

  “Yeah, he saves people. It’s his job. And he’s the strongest and he can beat up any bad guy.”

  “It sounds like your dad is the best.”

  “He is.”

  “You want to know a secret too?” I asked.

  “Yes,” he replied like it was silly I even had to ask.

  “My dad was kind of like a super hero too. He was in the Army, and he fought bad guys too.”

  “My dad was in the Army too!” Eli exclaimed.

  “Yeah, he was.”

  “With my Uncle Spencer. I don’t know him very well. I only met him one time, but he’s cool and he’s a super hero like Dad too. They’re like the Justice League, or the Avengers.”

  “You’re right they are.”

  For the rest of the ride, our conversation was nothing but super heroes and who would win in fights. Most of the time, Hulk or Batman came out on top. They were his favorites. Nikolai must’ve been for watching us, either that or he had a GPS tracker in the sole of Eli’s shoe—which wouldn’t surprise me. He appeared in the parking lot of his building moments after I pulled in. As soon as the engine was off, Eli was quick to rip the buckle free and jump out of the car.

  By the time I climbed from behind the wheel, Eli was already at his dad’s side.

  “Did you have a good time with Cassie, kiddo?”

  “I had so much fun. She took me to the park with the best swings in the whole city. They go so high, like as high as the buildings. We were flying, and then we had ice cream and went to see a movie and it was so good. There were car chases and explosions and it was so funny. You’ve got to watch it Dad.”

  “Sounds like you had a good time.” Nikolai glanced at me, and was that . . . gratitude I saw on his face? No. Couldn’t be.

  “Cassie’s the coolest, Dad. Next time you have to come with us.”

  “We’ll see.” When Nikolai’s gaze found mine next, my smile might have been a tad smug.

  “Did you hear that? The coolest.”

  “Thanks for hanging out with him today,” Nikolai said, almost grudgingly.

  “Any time. I had fun.” I turned to Elijah. “I’ll see you later, buddy.” He sprinted over to me before I could turn around, and squeezed my middle. I laid my hand on his back and gave him a little squeeze back, and then he darted back to his dad’s side. “Good night, guys.” As I was walking back to my car, I heard Nikolai telling Elijah they were going to Uncle Spencer and Aunt Nora’s for dinner.

  My stomach chose then to remind me that the last thing I’d put in it was ice cream. It practically rejoiced when I walked in the front door at home and smelled something garlicy.

  “I’m ho
me, Grandmama,” I called through the house, shrugging out of my jacket, and tossing my purse down.”

  “In the kitchen. I’m making pasta and chicken tonight.”

  I found her at the stove, stirring away, multiple pots and pans with things simmering and sizzling.

  “Smells wonderful. You know I love pasta. I’m sorry I wasn’t here to help you cook.”

  “That’s all right dear. Why don’t you grab the bread and throw it in the oven for me, and tell me all about this boy you were with.” She gave me a cheeky grin as if I’d been out on a date all night.

  A loaf of French bread lay split on a tray, slathered in butter and garlic and parmesan. I reached for it and Grandmama pulled the oven open, so I could slide the tray in. “Everything should be ready in about ten minutes. So, the boy, tell me.”

  “Well, he’s incredibly handsome and charming. His hobbies include swinging and monkey bars. He’s considering a career as an astronaut or potentially a race car driver.”

  “Ah, he has ambition, I like that in a man.”

  “He’s a little short, but makes up for it with a big personality. Oh, and his manners are impeccable. He’s the perfect gentleman.”

  “I like the sounds of this boy. You should invite him over for dinner this week.”

  “As long as dinner doesn’t run into his bedtime.”

  She waved her hand as if to say bedtime shmedtime.

  “I’ll have to check with his father. I think he starts school here next week.”

  “Do that, and find out the boy’s favorite food. If they can’t come for dinner, I’ll make it and you take it to them.”

  I promised I would and then helped her finish the dinner preparations and set the table. Even though it was just the two of us, it was important to Grandmama that when I was home, we ate at the table together.

  She filled me in on the latest church gossip she’d picked up at lunch with the ladies today, and everything new in the lives of so and so’s children and grandchildren. Seemed everyone was either engaged, getting married, or knocked up.

  “I’m not getting any younger you know. I’d like to have great-grandbabies before I go.”

  “Yeah, well I need a man for that. One who isn’t seven years old. I don’t see that happening any time soon.” I twirled the angel hair around my fork.