Page 98 of Dare You to Run

I sit down next to her and begin smoothing circles on her back. “Are you okay, my little mouse?”

She nods, her head hanging into the bowl. “When will this stop?”

“I don’t know, baby, but the doctor will hopefully give us some answers today.”

Her back expands with a deep breath, and she reaches up to flush the toilet. I help her stand and run the water for her, letting her rinse her mouth. She grabs for her toothbrush but I stop her.

“Your mom sent juice and food. Do you want to try that before you brush? I read that sometimes brushing your teeth first thing in the morning can trigger vomiting. Maybe wait until after.”

Her bleary eyes examine me like I’m a stranger who has burst in.

“You read that?” she asks and I nod. “Have you been…have you been reading about what to expect?”

Embarrassed, I admit, “Yeah. I want to be able to help you. I have no clue what being a parent or a partner looks like, so it’s kind of like parenting for dummies. Gotta start somewhere.”

She smiles and places her hand on my chest where her tattoo is etched and one teardrop falls over her lid.

“No crying,” I remind her, wiping away the errant tear.

“I can’t help it. This baby makes me cry one minute and then the next, I’m cranky and tired.”

I pull her to me and she snuggles into my arms. Kissing the top of her head only makes her cry harder. My poor girl is a wound up ball of emotions. I hope that whatever talk Vaughan wants to have will help.

Or it could make it worse if he cracks me over the head with the shovel.

After we ate, Dagen only picking at her food, I showered and sat on the couch waiting for doom to come knocking. Dagen is laying with her head in my lap and I comb my fingers through her hair. I can tell she’s falling asleep so I keep the television low.

I hear the tapping of knuckles on the door. Dagen begins to sit up but I hush her.

“Just lay down. I’ll be back soon. You should take a nap. We have a big afternoon ahead of us.” She nods silently and I slide a pillow under her head as I slip out from under her.

She immediately closes her eyes and I place the blanket on the back of the sofa over her and kiss her cheek. Inhaling and exhaling with a puff of air, I open the door.

“Hey,” Vaughan greets. “Ready?”

“Yeah. Dagen is taking a nap so it’s a good time.” I quietly close the door behind me and turn to spot a golf cart sitting in front of us.

Yup. This is it. He’s driving me to my resting spot. I should have sent a goodbye text to my brothers and Miss Shirley.

Vaughan sits in the driver's seat and I climb into mine with hesitation.

“I want to show you something,” he tells me, and begins driving.

We’re silent as he takes me across the property. Wide fields lead into a wooded area where I see some animals scurrying into. We drive past a small creek and circle back around, stopping at a large magnolia tree where a bench sits.

I don’t see any large holes around, so I figure he’s going to let me have a minute before I go.

“Why don’t we sit on the bench,” he suggests, pointing to it.

I clamber out of my seat and walk with heavy steps to the bench. When I get closer, I see a plaque with a name on it. I squint to make out what it says, but I don’t have to wonder for long.

“Robert Stevens,” Vaughan says. “That was Cami’s first husband.”

My face is pure shock when I look at him. At no time did Dagen tell me her mom was married before. I knew that Camille and Vaughan dated in high school and that her birth mother is the reason why they broke up. But she never told me that her mom was married previously, or that Vaughan most likely took him out, and now I’m going to meet the same fate.

Vaughan sits as do I, leaving plenty of space between us.

“Robbie died almost ten years ago. He, uh, he ended his life after battling deep depression. When Cami and I got back together, I made this bench for her after she spread his ashes here.”