Page 106 of Tattered Souls

---

I wrapped an arm around him and pulled him in close and said, “Come back, whole. Okay? Don’t make me get my ass on a plane and leave my woman and daughter and hunt down whatever fuck dared to hurt you.”

He laughed, then he nodded.

When he pulled away, he jerked up his chin.

Then I watched as my brother, dressed in a pair of desert fatigues, climbed on a plane to take him to locations unknown.

After I watched the plane until I couldn’t see it anymore, I drove home.

In time to see Tatum waiting for me with a mug of hot cocoa.

And then she said, “It’s time.”

I knew what time it was.

I nodded, then headed to the garage and started getting the boxes down for her.

It was time to decorate the house for Christmas.

One Year Later

“One hundred and seventy-eight,” I whispered to my woman after she said honey.

Yes, I was still counting.

And I would until I took my final breath.

Seven Years Later

I sat there with our family and friends as act after act took the stage.

But then they said, “Next up we have Sage Griggs and her mother, Tatum Griggs.”

I stood up and started clapping for my two girls. Holding the two bouquets of roses in the crook of my arm.

My family followed suit.

Whistles. Cheers.

And we didn’t stop until the two of them made it to the microphone.

We all retook our seats.

I was curious.

I didn’t know what they were going to do.

They had both been tight-lipped.

And seeing them in their matching black dresses and pink clip-on strands in their hair, I knew one thing.

Had I never met Tatum, I wouldn’t be sitting where I am. I wouldn’t be attending my child’s talent show.

Because I wouldn’t have had children with anyone else.

My girl took the microphone from the woman, and Tatum took another one.

My girl scanned the crowd, and I knew instantly when her gaze came to me.

---