Page 122 of Finders Keepers

“Thank you,” I whisper to Gavin, not taking my eyes off Sophie. “For all of this.”

His thumb traces small circles on my palm. “Happy birthday, Bailey.”

We spend the next hour on the ice, and I only fall two more times. Sophie doesn’t fall once, a fact she proudly announces to everyone within earshot. Ms. Lucy tells stories about how her late husband used to take her skating in Colorado every year before he passed, and Gavin keeps finding excuses to hold my hand even after I’ve found my balance.

By the time we leave the rink, my legs are shaking from exertion and my cheeks hurt from smiling. Sophie talks non-stop about wanting to come back as we return our skates, her earlier hesitation completely forgotten.

“Ice cream?” Gavin suggests as we make our way through the mall. “There’s a great place just around the corner.”

“Ice cream?” Sophie bounces on her toes. “Please, Mommy?”

I glance at Ms. Lucy, who waves her hand. “Don’t look at me, sugar. It’s your birthday.”

“Ice cream it is,” I agree.

As we walk, I realize I haven’t checked my phone once since we arrived. The fear is still there, a constant companion I’m learning to live with, but today it’s been pushed to the background the simple joy of watching my daughter learn to skate, of feeling safe enough to fall and knowing someone will help me back up.

One day at a time, I remind myself as Sophie slips her small hand into mine.

It’s Monday and I’m here braiding Sophie’s hair as I reflect on how yesterday was a blur of birthday excitement. I couldn’t have asked for anything better. After the Galleria we all headed back to Gavin’s house where he somehow had a cake ready and waiting.

I weave Sophie’s blonde strands between my fingers, working on her second braid while she hums the tune to “Let It Go” for the hundredth time this morning. My lips curl into a smile as her head starts to move to said tune.

“Sit still Soph, I’m almost done, just a few more twists.”

“Can I have the pink bows today, Mommy?”

“Of course.” I reach for the bows next to me on the bed.

The sharp trill of my phone cuts through the peaceful morning air. My hands freeze mid-braid as I glimpse Officer Martinez’s contact info lighting up the screen. My throat constricts, and the room suddenly feels ten degrees colder.

Sophie turns her head, causing the unfinished braid to slip from my trembling fingers. “Mommy?”

“Hold still, sweetie.” My voice comes out higher than usual. I clear my throat and call out, “Gavin? Can you come here for a minute?”

Heavy footsteps approach, and Gavin appears in the doorframe, already dressed in his work scrubs. His eyes narrow with concern as they meet mine.

“Everything okay?”

I gesture toward Sophie with a slight head tilt. “Would you mind getting her some breakfast? I need to take this call.” My hands are shaking so bad I can barely finish tying the hair tie around her hair.

Understanding floods his features. “Come on, Soph.” He steps into the room and helps her off the bed. “Let’s get you some Lucky Charms while you mama takes her call.”

“But my braid-” She protests, feeling the unfinished part where I tied it off with the hair tie.

“I’ll finish it after, baby. I promise.” I force a smile, watching as Gavin walks her out.

The phone continues its relentless ringing. I get up and close the bedroom door pressing my back against it, sliding down until the back of my thighs hit carpet. My heart pounds against my ribs as I stare at the screen, Officer Martinez’s name blurring through the tears already forming in my eyes.

“Get it together, Bailey,” I whisper to myself, taking three deep breaths. In through the nose, out through the mouth. The phone stops ringing, then immediately starts again.

With trembling fingers, I swipe to answer. “Hello?”

“Ms. Monroe? This is Officer Martinez.” His voice sounds exactly the same as it did when he took my statement a week ago. “I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time.”

My free hand clutches the fabric of my pajama shorts. “No, it’s fine. Is everything… is something wrong?”

“I wanted to update you on a development in the case.”

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