Page 19 of Waiting for Redemption

If this is a dirty game, I don’t want to play.

Tank

*photo of plums*

Me

I’m concerned that that is your midnight snack.

Tank

Why? Plums are good. They’re healthy. They’re your favorite color… I see nothing wrong with them. What’s your choice?

Me

Wine… and popcorn. Like a normal person.

Tank

Noted.

Me

Why noted? What’s that supposed to mean?

Tank

Night Honey.

Well… I’m never going to sleepnow.

* * *

I got quite honestly the worst night’s sleepeverlast night. Between the nightmare that shook me and the very vague and mysterious texts from Tank, my brain wouldn’t shut off until almost sunrise. Today’s shift has had me in full zombie mode, but seeing Hendrix run through the front door has all my troubles washing away immediately. I love it when Betty brings him by the bar to see me randomly. It doesn’t happen very often since she rarely ever hasjustHendrix, but it always had the power to turn my day around.

“Mommy!”

“Hey, Buddy!” I squeeze him into my arms before taking him behind the bar with me.

“We were on the way to the park and he wanted to stop by and see you. I told him if it didn’t seem too crowded we would, I hope that’s okay,” Betty says with a grin on her face.

“Of course it’s okay.” I set Hendrix on the counter, taking in his sweet features.

“I’m gonna run to the ladies room before we head out,” Betty says, making her way to the bathrooms.

“Hey, do you want me to get Jackie to make some of his special fries for you before you and Ms. Betty go to the park?”

“Heck yeah!” Hendrix yells, making me laugh.

“Okay, you hang out here for a minute. I’ll go let him know he has a special order coming in.” I wink at him and run my fingers through his hair before heading to the kitchen. “I’ll be right back, do you mind keeping an eye on him for a second?” I ask Tank as he looks over at Hendrix, then he smirks and nods,

“Sure thing.”

* * *

TANK

“Mommy!” I look up from wiping down the bar to see Hendrix running in Ruby’s direction. Not far behind him is a woman holding a small blue jacket that I assume is his babysitter.

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