Page 23 of Say You'll Stay

“You’re doing fine. I know a thing or two about shit parents after running through a long string of them provided by the state. You’re one of the good ones. She’s lucky, and that’s all there is to it.”

Lucy perks up, shifting in her swaddled blanket like a caterpillar caught in a cocoon until Olivia loosens the wrap and her arms spring free, one of those gassy smiles spreading fast and bright.

Cole’s grin is slight, but it’s there for a brief moment while he watches the baby. “When do they start having real smiles? How can you tell?”

“I’ve heard it takes a month, at least. I wonder if we’ll be able to see the difference or if they’ll all look gassy.”

He watches as she rubs Lucy’s tummy with a light hand. “I’m gonna try to doze for a while. You wake me if anything happens. Don’t hesitate.”

“Okay. I promise.”

For a long moment, he remains quiet before offering a final statement that both excites her and instills a healthy dose of fear. “We need to get you a weapon. Something that’ll slice through those rotters like butter.”

She isn’t much of a fighter. Didn’t think she could do what she’d done already until there were no options left, but Colethinks she can handle it and his confidence sparks her own.

Five hours later, Andrew informs them that he’s heard rumors about the Smithsonian.

Chapter 7

He’s waved into a supply closet by a man with a cane who’s gotta be pushing one hundred.

Reluctantly, Cole follows. Can’t ignore him. Whatever’s going on might be important.

It could be a secret exit in case things get rough.

Or extra supplies for the baby.

Perhaps more information on rumored safe zones because everyone knows nursing homes are cesspools for gossip.

Instead, Cole’s staring at a shiny, half-used box of condoms. His mouth drops open as he squints in confusion. “That’s not…I don’t need…what the hell, man?”

“For you and your wife. Gotta be careful. You’ll knock her up again right away if you go at it without a rubber after a baby.” The man shoves the box into Cole’s hands with a wink. “Trust me. I ended up with baby number three that way when I was in your shoes.”

“Why do you even have rubbers in here? Not worried about babies anymore, are you?”

“No, no, it’s not the kids that’ll get you at my age, son. It’s the syphilis. The clap. Everything else. No one wants to spend their golden years itching or struggling to take a piss.”

Well, damn. Gossip isn’t the only thing spreading likewildfire in here. “Thanks, but no thanks. Sounds like you need them more than me.”

This is way more information than Cole signed up for and he has zero use for condoms. The odds of getting laid are so slim they’ve gone into the negatives. Even if the Jason and baby factor were both a non-issue, he’s pretty sure Olivia wouldn’t touch him with a ten-foot pole, especially after he tripped over himself to get away from her when she tried to give him a blowjob.

They are only friends, and even that’s brand new.

She doesn’t want him. She just had a baby. Sex isn’t on her to-do list.

He won’t risk fucking up the tentative trust they’ve built. Certainly not now, and not any time in the future, either.

“Don’t be silly. We’ve got plenty. There’s a whole stack behind the paper towels. Take them, take them. You’ll be happy you did later.”

He doesn’t have a chance to protest further before his gift giver shuffles out, after fondly tapping Cole’s shoulder with a closed fist. Now he’s standing in a supply closet with half a box of condoms. He should shove it back on the shelf and leave well enough alone. Last thing he needs is for Olivia to find them and assume the worst.

What he does next he can’t even explain to himself, so he doesn’t bother trying. His hands act on their own, grabbing two foil wrappers out of the box to hide in his pocket and leaving the rest behind. He doesn’t need them.He will never need them.That’s a fact no matter which way he slices it, but it’ll get harder and harder to find things like this out in the world the longer this pandemic goes on. People like to fuck before they die and some of them are practical about it eventhen.

So, he keeps these two rubbers that he absolutely won’t need and tells himself he can always dump them later. What’s the harm if they burn a hole in his pocket?

They have plenty of other uses, like carrying water and making a slingshot. He could wrap one over a wound or use it as fire kindling. He could even trade them to other people for supplies.

Keeping them doesn’t mean he’s looking for sex. It’s rude to turn down a gift. The old man was only trying to help, so Cole will respect his elders and keep these condoms because that’s what a decent guy would do. He shoves them so deep in his pocket he’s in danger of ripping the stitching, flings open the door, and nearly runs smack into Olivia with Lucy in her arms as she rounds a corner.

---