Page 117 of Howl for Me
My eyes widen. Johnny snorts and I let out a laugh before I can stop myself. Benjamin’s head shoots up like a guilty puppy.
“Mommy!” he yells, scrambling up and sprinting over with sticky hands and wild curls bouncing.
Johnny follows a step behind, smiling like a man who got everything he never knew he needed. I scoop Ben into my arms and he hugs me as tight as his little arms can.
I laugh. “What did Mommy say about those naughty words, mister?”
“I sorry Mommy,” he says too sweetly
Johnny pulls us both in, kissing my forehead.
Ben wriggles free a second later, shouts, “Sorry Mommy!” and bolts back to the model like his life depends on finishing it before bedtime. Johnny watches him go, then turns back to me. This time, his kiss lands on my lips, soft and warm and familiar in a way that still makes my knees weak.
“I’m happy you’re home,” he says against my mouth.
I smile. “Me too.”
And I mean it with every part of me because I didn’t give anything up. And I wouldn’t change a single fucking thing.
“Auntie Lori’s here,” comes the familiar voice before I even turn around. My best friend strolls through the front door likeshe owns the place. Ben bolts toward her, throwing himself at her legs with a squeal of joy.
A knock echoes behind her, more of a formality than anything else, and then Reggie and Teddy step inside, already talking about what’s for dinner.
It’s Friday. That means dinner at our place. I look around one last time at how different my life has changed. I’m proud. So god damn proud.
The End
