Page 31 of Cash

“Hey, buddy. How are you? I miss you so much.”

“I miss you, too. When are you coming for me?”

“Just as soon as I can, sweetheart. I promise you that.”

“Why has it been so long? What are you doing?”

“Honey, we can talk about that later. Once we’re together again. I don’t think I’m allowed to talk with you about it right now. I’m so sorry, for all of this. I need you to believe that.”

“I do…” He didn’t sound as though he did.

“Thomas. Listen to me, all right?” Desperation leaked into my voice. “I need you to believe that I love you, and I want us to be together. And that I am doing everything I possibly can to make sure that happens. No matter what you hear, no matter what you think inside, you need to remember what I’m telling you. Don’t listen to those other voices that try to convince you I don’t want you with me. I do. Tell me you believe me.”

“I believe you.” He sounded stronger than before.

“And you know I’m doing everything I can to make sure we're together.”

“I believe you. You’re doing everything you can.”

“Good boy. Just think, we’ll be together again, and you’ll wear your Batman costume, and we’ll go trick-or-treating, and you can eat candy until you have a tummy ache.”

He giggled softly, and I giggled with him. Only mine was a bit more manic, tight, ready to shatter at any second. I was walking a thin wire and could fall in either direction. Closer to sanity, hearing his voice and knowing deep inside that he was all right, they weren’t hurting him—or over the edge, until I lost all trace of myself because there was only so much a person could handle without breaking.

There was a shuffling noise, and background voices and I babbled on in the hopes that he’d hear me before they took the phone away.

“I love you, Tommy. I love you so much. You’ve added so much to my life. You’re the best thing I have. I can’t wait to see you again, oh, please, I love you…” I held my head in my hands.

“So sweet, Aunt Cari.” A cold, heartless chuckle.

“Fuck you, you bastard.”

“Now, now. Get back to work. The sooner you’re finished, and we know you no longer have contact with our shifter friend, the sooner you get your little nephew back. And you can take him trick-or-treating. Won’t that be fun?”

“Wait, wait,” I begged before they could cut me off. “How do I get in touch with you? I’m making progress here, I truly am. I’m already running tests. It won’t take another week. I can’t wait that long for you to call me back.”

“Hmm. I’ll call you in two days for a status report. Keep the phone nearby.”

I suspected that was the best I could hope for as the line went dead.

Two days. Two days and I might get to hear Tommy’s voice again.

I held the phone to my mouth and wept brokenly, then dropped it to the table and buried my head in my arms.

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