Page 57 of Justice II

She opened the door with my water in her hand. One look at me and she put it down.

“It’s positive?”

I nodded.

She wrapped her arms around me.

“This cannot be happening,” I cried. “Aubrey, I can’t do this.”

“It’s going to be okay.”

“How? I don’t have a job. I’m living here with you. I’m still trying to get my son.”

“I know.”

“And Justice…” I couldn’t finish.

She held me tighter while I cried. I wanted to be happy about something. I wanted one thing to happen that didn’t leave me trying to figure out how I was going to survive it.

But there was a positive test on the counter, and I couldn’t stop thinking about everything that could go wrong.

“It’s going to be okay,” Aubrey said again, rubbing my back.

I shook my head against her shoulder.

“I cannot keep it.”

20

Justice

A casino is no place for a child. Luckily it was more tame during the day than in the evening. Besides, there was a separate entry for the business offices, so we could bypass all of that.

Today was an unofficial bring your daughter to work day. Neither me nor Dream were ready for her to go back to school with a broken arm. I had her teachers send a little work and decided she could spend a couple of days with me.

I caught Dream’s Hello Kitty bookbag before it slid off my shoulder and used my free hand to open my office door.

“Go ahead, baby.”

She walked in carrying the stuffed animal Quest had brought her. I had her coloring books and snacks in a bag. Hopefully, that would keep her busy long enough for me to get some work done.

I knew in about twenty minutes my office was going to look like Daddy Daycare. But whatever. Anything for my princess.

“Can I sit in your chair?”

“Yeah. Don’t be spinning around in it.”

“I wasn’t.”

“You ain’t even sat down yet.”

She smiled and waited for me to help her up.

I put her bag on the desk and got her settled. She inspected the buttons on my phone before I moved it out of reach.

“Who you need to call?”

“Nobody.”