Olivia babbled a little. She sounded good. Happy and safe.
“Say, ‘love you, Daddy,’” I heard Darlene say. “Say, ‘see you soon.’”
“Wuv, Daddy,” Olivia said, and then there was more breathing and babbling. Darlene came back on.
“We haven’t yet grasped the concept of the phone but she heard you,” Darlene said. “She’s back to playing blocks. And Alice and Gerald want me to tell you that they hope your test went well. They—”
“Darlene?”
“Yes?”
The words bubbled up from my heart, scraping and bumbling their way up my throat where they got stuck.
“I…I…Jesus, I can’t speak.”
“I hate the phone, don’t you?” Darlene said, quickly. “It’s so lame. Even babies don’t like it.” She heaved a tremulous breath. “Come home, Sawyer. Tomorrow? Your bus arrives at eight?”
I nodded. “Yeah,” I managed. “Yes. Eight.”
“Okay, get some sleep. You need it. And I’ll see you then, Sawyer the Lawyer.”
“See you then, Darlene.” My tornado.
I hung up with her, and sat with the phone in my lap. She’d swept me up, then Olivia and Jackson, and now the Abbotts too.
And now, thanks to her, I might have a chance.
I ordered some dinner through room service, then crashed at nine o’clock. I slept almost as deeply as I had when wrapped in Darlene’s arms, in her bed.
Almost.
The hour and a half bus ride took me from the dark of dawn to a rising sun. I got off at the depot and, just as promised, Darlene was there, at the white pillar. Standing beside her were the Abbotts, looking as nervous and hopeful as I probably did. Olivia was in Darlene’s arms, and she squirmed to get down as soon as she saw me.
I set down my bag, willing myself not to cry like a baby in front of God and everyone at the bus depot as Olivia toddled her little legs as fast as she could straight for me. I scooped her up and held her tight, my face pressed against her hair.
“Hi, honey,” I whispered. “I’m back.”
“Daddy back!” Olivia said, and jounced up and down in my arms. She pulled away and her blue eyes—sharp and clear—studied my face. She put her little hand on my chin, and I struggled mightily to hold it together.
“Wuv, Daddy,” she said, almost solemnly, and I could feel that my absence perplexed her.
“I love you too, Livvie.” I hugged her again, as Darlene hobbled over with her cane. She was wearing that ugly old sweater that I loved so much. Because I loved her.
Oh Christ, I do…
Her smile was brilliant as she joined Olivia and me. “The conquering hero returns,” she said. “We missed you, didn’t we, Livvie?” She gave my daughter’s hand a little tug, then raised her eyes to mine. “I missed you. A lot. And Sawyer—”
“I love you,” I said. Still holding Olivia in one arm, I reached over and cupped Darlene’s cheek, and kissed her softly. “I love you, Darlene. No matter what happens, I know that’s true.”
She stared at me in shock, then her entire being seemed to grow brighter, blinding in her beauty. “I love you, too,” she whispered, kissing me again. “I do. No matter what happens, I love you.” She turned her face to Olivia. “And you too, sweet pea. I love you, Livvie.”
I held them both tightly, and this time I couldn’t keep a damn tear from escaping. But through my blurred vision, I saw the Abbotts, standing in front of that cement pillar, hands clasped together. And they were smiling.
“All rise.”
The courtroom got to its feet, as Judge Chen entered from his chambers to take a seat at his desk.
My heart thundered in my chest, and Jackson gripped my arm under the table, reassuring. I glanced behind me at Darlene. Her smile was shaky but she gave me two thumbs up, and that little gesture sent a small flash of warmth through me. Then the judge cleared his throat and I was stiffened by fear all over again.