Page 39 of One Little Kiss

My tears dry as a giggle works its way into my throat. “Betty-Anne is trouble with a capital T.”

“You should have seen her when I was a kid,” Beth says conspiratorially. “But even I’ll admit, she and Rosa together are a formidable force. Go to work, Winnie. We’ll be fine tonight.”

“I’m saving. I’m saving to have him tested. To get us some help.”

Kind eyes find mine in the dim light. “I know you are, sweetheart. I also know it isn’t fair how life plays out sometimes. You and Wes are family. You’re always welcome here. I just wish I had more room for you than a dusty, old studio above the garage.”

More than once since my mother’s passing, Beth has tried to find ways to give us more space than she has.

“It’s perfect. And exactly what I can afford. We don’t need anything else. I promise. Because of you, we’re good.”

Beth is one of the few people who know I spent my entire life savings caring for my mother, and even that wasn’t enough. In the end, ALS suffocated her in her own body, and I had a front-row seat.

“Okay, dear. You’re going to be late.”

Grabbing my purse off the small table, I give her a grateful nod. “He did pretty good today. We didn’t have any episodes, so I’m really hoping he’ll sleep through the night.”

“I can handle it.”

“And if …” I swallow bile. “If Jason comes by—”

“If Jason shows his face here again, David will pull out his shotgun. Then we’ll call the police.”

Thank God for Beth and her husband, Dave.

“He may be your father, Winnie, but he’s no man. You remember that. He can threaten all he wants. There isn’t a judge on the planet that will hand Weston over to him. Go to work. Take deep breaths and know you’re not alone.”

I nod erratically as I reach for the door. Words are too painful. Life is too painful.

* * *

Iarrive at the hospital with a few minutes to spare, so I rush to the restroom before my shift starts. I’m thankful to Beth for getting me the position. Under normal circumstances, I would love to be a family liaison, but the nightshift is taking its toll. Caring for Weston is a full-time job, and the lack of sleep is causing my body to break down.

It’s not like I have any other choice.

Staring in the mirror, I no longer recognize myself. Dark circles line my eyes, and even the most expensive concealer couldn’t hide it, so I stopped trying. I’m lucky if I run a brush through my hair most days.

At twenty-eight years old, I could easily pass for forty. Sighing, I straighten my shoulders and head to my office.

Please let it be a quiet night.When families don’t need me, I’ve been able to use the hospital resources to research Weston’s symptoms. The staff pediatrician has been wonderful, and we’re both fairly certain that he has some sort of sensory issue, if not fully on the spectrum, but without testing for a diagnosis, it’s impossible to get him any help.

The four thousand dollars it will cost to have him evaluated at a private facility might as well be four million dollars. Maxing out all of our credit cards in my mother’s final days was not my wisest decision, but it was the only one I could make.

Wouldn’t you do whatever you could to give life to the one person who’s always been your rock?

On days like today, the ones where I struggle to breathe, to see any light in my darkening tunnel, I allow my mind to drift back to the one time I truly felt wanted. The one man who saw me when I couldn’t. Colton Westbrook.

He may be a player, but he gave me a memory I hold close to my heart when I need to find peace.

I put my head down and walk toward my office with a heavy sigh. I could make this journey blindfolded, and that’s pretty much how I’ve been living.

Rounding the corner, I see a stack of files hanging outside of my door. I drop my purse in an empty desk drawer with a sigh too heavy for my soul and take the file from the top.

Lily Anders, room 332.

Heading that way, I scan her chart. She’s a new mom, my age, and in good health. These are the easy jobs.

I knock on her door, and she smiles as I enter. She’s a pretty girl with an easy smile. The little bundle of pink resting comfortably in her arms wraps the new mother in a happy glow.