Page 9 of Finding Us
“Thank you. I miss that place; going there all those years ago and meeting you … it was the best thing to ever happen to me.”
“I love how far you’ve come since then, that little girl you once were, broke my heart.”
I clear my throat because it’s still hard to talk about those times. “I have a great life now.”
“I know. Do you have any plans today? I’d love to see you.”
“No, I’m free.”
“Great, do you want to come here? You can stay for dinner.”
“I’d like that.”
“Perfect, I can’t wait to see you.”
“Me either.”
When I end the call, I pull up Connor’s number.
Jacinta: I’m going to head to Brooke’s … I’m staying for dinner so I won’t be home until later.
Connor: I didn’t take my keys with me to the gym, I thought you’d be there when I got home. Do you think you could drop them off on your way?
Jacinta: No problem. I’m just going to change … I should be there in about twenty minutes. x
Connor: Do you remember where it is? Do you want me to send you the co-ordinates?
Jacinta: Vaguely, so send them just in case.
When he sends me a pin of his location, I open it in my maps.
Connor: Drive safe, it looks like it might rain.
Jacinta: Yes dad!
Connor: Don’t sass me. You know I worry about you.
Jacinta: I know, and I appreciate it. Love you. x
Connor: Love you too, little sis.
After changing into a pair of skinny jeans, a fitted black top, and my red vans, I slide my red hoodie off the hanger in my wardrobe just in case. It may be summer here in Australia, but if it’s going to rain it could get cold, especially at Brooke’s, since they live by the water.
I grab Connor’s house keys off the hall table on my way out the door.
By the time I pull up at the gym, the heavens have opened up. I have an umbrella in my car, but it’s in the boot. I’ll be drenched by the time I get it, so I decide to slide on my hoodie instead. I was lucky enough to pull into a parking spot as someone was leaving, a few shops down from the gym. If I run, I hopefully won’t get too wet.
I grab Connor’s keys and my phone off the passenger seat and pull the hood over my head, tucking my long blonde hair inside it before opening the door. My face is cast downwards as I make a run for it, dashing towards the gym.
Chapter4
Mason
My day has been an absolute shitshow; so much so, I wish I could wind back the clock and start again. It began with a flat tyre; I hit a pot hole after dropping my son, Blake, at day care this morning. I spent over an hour and a half on the side of the road waiting for a tow truck to take me to the closest Harley dealership. The damn hole in the road fucked up both the tyre and my custom rim, which I now have to replace. On the positive side, I was lucky I managed to stay on the bike and wasn’t flipped over the handlebars.
It was almost eleven o’clock by the time I arrived at the office, only to receive a call ten minutes later that Blake had a fall while playing and injured his wrist. So, off I was again to collect him and take him to emergency to have an X-ray. Thankfully, it was only badly sprained, and not broken.
The doctor did mention two old fractures in his arm that showed up on the scan. When he gave me a look like I was an irresponsible parent, my blood boiled.I would never harm my child… or any child for that matter. Getting confirmation that he’d been mistreated, on top of the neglect—from that good for nothing mother of his—makes me thankful he’s with me now. At least I can protect him. It breaks my heart to know his formative years were hell.
