Page 15 of Treasured
My brother waited for me to start my car, and he followed me out. If I protected my son half as much as Joseph watched out for me, then he would be better off.
The drive home was uneventful, and I pulled into the parking lot of my red-brick apartment building, which had been built in a different century. I parked and headed up the steps to the third and top floor. My salary was decent enough, and this place lacked amenities like a working dishwasher, but it was in a good school zone.
I unlocked the double locks and saw the clean, sparkling floors and baby carpet in the middle of the room where my boy was currently playing with his stuffed animals. Bruce was clean and fresh. I locked the door behind me and asked my cousin, Zoey—who’d picked him up from day care for me after her college classes—“How was Bruce?”
Zoey put her schoolbook in her bag and said, “I picked him up from the day care covered in apple sauce, but I cleaned him up for you with tubby time.”
At twenty-one, Zoey should be partying with her friends, but she took time for me and Bruce. I put my shoes away since I didn’t like to trek dirt in my apartment and said, “You went above and beyond.”
She came over and grabbed her shoes, preparing to leave. “We’re cousins. Happy to help.”
But as she lowered her shoes on the ground, the door rattled. We both stared at it, and then someone knocked.
Zoey asked, “Who’s at the door?”
My spine tingled. I slipped to the door and glanced out the peephole. Then my heart skipped a beat, and adrenaline raced in my veins.Do I call 911? Joseph would know what to do.
I swallowed, and my hands trembled as I reached into my bag and grabbed my phone.
I found Joseph’s number then met Zoey’s gaze with mine as I asked, “Can you stay with Bruce for a few more minutes?”
She put her shoes back on the shelf and nodded. “Who is that?”
“Arthur,” I said and placed my hands on the locks.
She pressed my arm, and I glanced at Zoey as she said, “If you leave my sight, from the peephole, I’m calling the cops.”
Right. I wasn’t alone, and unlike the woman I was before, I was different now. I still couldn’t breathe right, but this was my line in the sand now. Bruce was mine legally. He had no rights at all, and I was strong. Once I pumped myself up, I said, “Thanks, Zoey.”
I slipped out, and Zoey locked the doors behind me. I crossed my arms and said, “Arthur, I have a restraining order.”
“It expired an hour ago.”
Fuck. The police wouldn’t interfere. I almost pressed my phone, but I asked, “So, you’re here to threaten me, then?”
“I want to see our son.”
Never. I widened my stance and blocked the door. “The boy you tried to kill the day I brought him home from the hospital?”
“That was an accident.”
Lies from a liar. I’d been stupid once. He’d been charged with abuse, which made my legal claim easy. “The cops didn’t believe you.”
“I’ve changed.”
So?Perhaps that was heartless of me, but fuck him. I pointed down the hall and said, “I’m happy to hear that, but I have sole custody, and you need to leave now.”
My phone began to ring. Arthur saw my phone and stepped back, though he said, “This is just the beginning, Mary. I have a good job now, money, and connections. Do us both a favor and be ready to share, or I’ll sue and get full custody.”
I glanced at the call. Dwayne. Now he was a hulk of a man who could blockade the door. “Goodbye, Arthur,” I said.
He stepped back, and I knocked. Zoey opened the door, holding a frying pan. I entered and checked the locks. She put it down and asked, “What did he want?”
I denied the call. I’d call Dwayne back. My son continued to play and try to figure out how to stand. “To threaten me.” I said.
Zoey tilted her head but bounced on her feet. “Are we calling the police?”
I shook my head. I’d been with Arthur in high school and moved in with him once my parents had died. I thought we’d be in love forever, but then the abuse started. Now I just had lists of things to handle. “He left, but he said the restraining order expired. I’ll call Joseph to stay over with us for the night, and tomorrow, I’ll call to reinstate it, I guess.”
