Page 29 of The Criminal’s Cure

By the time Monday rolls around, I’m in a state of bliss like I’ve never experienced before. This weekend felt like I was living someone else’s life, one I never believed I could have for myself.

Taking Maddie to the vineyard was only the tip of the iceberg.

I woke up Saturday morning with her in my arms and we meandered down to the kitchen where she made us coffee wearing only my t-shirt.

Every time she’d reach for something, that stupid hem would ride up her thigh and graze the curve of her bare ass like it was baiting me.

And when she turned around with that playful look in her eye, I knew she was.

After a few too many mishaps, we ended up right back upstairs, picking up where we left off the night before.

She came with me to get Ty from Joe and Sarah’s and, somehow, I let the two of them convince me to spend the afternoon at the zoo.

Ty was on top of the world, spouting off every fact he knew about the animals, and Maddie listened like she was hearing it all for the very first time.

By the time we left, he was so exhausted that not even the cotton candy sugar rush could keep him awake on the way home.

We spent the evening making pizzas from scratch and relaxing on the couch while watching the new Despicable Me movie.

The day was like something conjured straight from Ty’s dreams, but oddly enough, it felt like a dream of mine, too.

When Talia was alive, we spent a lot of time together as a family, but it always felt performative. It was all to provide Ty with as normal a childhood as we could. It’s completely different with Maddie, though. It doesn’t feel forced or like a part I’m playing. It feels natural.

Sunday was just as great. We had a lazy day just hanging out around the house and getting Ty ready to go back to school full time.

It’s been several weeks since the shooting, and he needed the time to recover as much as I needed it to feel comfortable sending him.

I don’t like the idea of him being too far away until I have all of this resolved, but we’ve got a solid plan and I know he needs it.

As much as he claims he’s content being home with us, he misses his friends.

Plus, I feel like we’re on the right track with the Chavos member we’ve been working on and I‘m confident he’ll give me the shot caller soon.

Monday morning meant back to reality for all of us—Ty to school, Maddie to the hospital, and me knocking a man’s teeth out one by one until he spills his secrets. None of us were all that excited.

Dropping Ty off was rougher than I expected, and I’m second guessing the decision I made to send him back to school.

Is it too soon? Will he do okay? I make life altering choices every single day, but somehow being the sole person to make them for my son feels impossible.

I don’t know how you ever know what’s right.

For now, I put it out of my mind, but switch my phone on just in case the teachers need to call. Until then, I’ve got plenty to occupy my time and I’m so close to retribution I can almost taste it.

My shift at the hospital is short today, and I told Roman I’d pick Ty up from school. He was in the middle of something and was worried about being late on Ty’s very first day back, so I offered to step in.

I’m anxious to hear how his day went following the trouble he had this morning. Ty is so mature for his age, and sometimes it’s hard to remember that he’s still so young and the poor kid has been through a lot. This morning perfectly illustrated that, but hopefully, his day improved.

His school isn’t far from the hospital, and I head straight there. I follow Roman’s directions about where to park and which door is Ty’s and find my way pretty easily. There is a big group of parents waiting to pick their kids up as well, but I stand back from the crowd a bit.

When the bell rings, a line of children comes out of the door and I search the faces for Ty. When he sees me, his face lights up and he runs toward me.

“Maddie!”

A few pointed, jealous glares from the group of moms greet me when they realize I’m here for Roman Molanari’s son.

“Hey! How was your day? As bad as you thought?” I smile, reaching down and giving him a big hug.

Ty rolls his eyes as I take his backpack from him. “Worse. The only good thing was that my teacher and my friends were happy to see me.”

“I bet they were. You’re like a real-life superhero.”

“I know.” His grin fades. “But Dad said I can’t tell them what happened so everybody just thinks I had the chickenpox. It’s not fair.”

“I’m sure it’s hard not to tell them, but your dad is right. He just wants to keep you safe.” I give him a sympathetic smile. “Did they like your new shirt?”

“Yeah.” He nods. “Can we get ice cream on the way home?”

“Mmm, I think we could manage that.”

“Hi Ty.” A woman waves at us, a superficial smile on her face as she walks towards us with her little boy in tow. “We’re so glad you’re back. Elliott really missed you. What happened?”

Ty glances up at me before responding as if considering telling her the real story, but thankfully, he decides better of it. “I had the chickenpox,” he mumbles.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I’m sure your dad is so busy taking care of you.”

Ty shrugs.

“Maybe I’ll drop off a pot of my famous chicken noodle soup and take some of that work off of his plate. It’s got to be so difficult.”

I bite back my laughter at the woman who hasn’t even acknowledged that I’m standing here yet. It’s clear she’s interested in Roman and using Ty as a gateway. If it wasn’t so repulsive, I might admire the creativity.

“That’s okay. Maddie has been cooking for my daddy.” He grins up at me. Apparently, Ty could see right through the woman, too.

“Oh, Maddie.” The woman turns her attention to me for the first time, sizing me up. “You must be the new nanny.”

I open my mouth to speak, but I’m cut off by the sound of Roman’s voice behind me.

“Actually, Jill, this is my girlfriend, Madison.” He presses a kiss to my lips, effectively silencing her. Ty beams up at us, thoroughly enjoying the moment as well.

I don’t know if it’s the kiss or the word girlfriend that makes my stomach flutter like it does, but either way, my knees feel weak. Roman’s hand settles on my waist, drawing me in and positioning me against him.

“Oh.” She stares at Roman in disbelief.

“Thanks for your offer for the soup, but like Ty said, she’s been taking great care of us.

” His face is flat, but I see the satisfaction in his eyes.

He loves that he has both Jill and I flustered—her, because he just shut down her very overt attempt to get to him, and me, because his hand keeps inching lower and lower as he holds onto me.

“Glad to hear that.” Jill gives us a tight-lipped smile. “Come on Elliot. We’ll set up a playdate soon.”

Jill turns on her heels, dragging poor Elliot behind her.

“Jesus, these women are like sharks,” Roman snickers as he plants another pointed kiss on my lips.

“Tell me about it.” I roll my eyes. “I had no idea I was going to have so much competition from the carpool posse.”

Roman lets out a sharp laugh, his hand sliding around my neck as he locks eyes with me. “Trust me, Maddie. There is absolutely no competition. In fact, when you’re around, it’s like everyone else disappears completely.”

A furious heat courses through my body, and I have to catch my breath.

“Hello? Ice cream?” Ty throws his hands up, just to the side of us.

Chuckling, Roman backs away, lacing his fingers with mine as we walk. “You got it, buddy.”

“Can we take our ice cream to the park? I want to show dad the weird ducks.”

“Sure, we can!” I grin, taking Ty’s hand as we walk to the car.

Roman arches an eyebrow at me. I haven’t told him about the little trips Ty and I have been making to the park because I wanted Ty to be able to ease into it, and I can tell he’s leery.

“The park?”

I nod. “We’ve gone a couple of times while you were at work. I hope that’s okay.”

“Of course, that’s okay. I couldn’t even get him to drive by it a few weeks ago.” He smiles, slinging his arm around my shoulder as we walk to the car.

“He doesn’t ever want to play, but he likes the ducks there.”

“Hey, any progress is good progress. I’m just glad to see him excited about something like that again.” Roman opens the door to the car for me before going around helping Ty into the back.

It’s a short drive from Ty’s school to the park, and we take turns picking music on the way. Surprisingly, Roman and I have similar tastes and all three of us sing along with the windows rolled down.

The mood shifts a little when we pull into the lot, like it does the other times I brought Ty here. Even being in the vicinity of the playground makes him nervous. We aren’t even at the same park where the shooting happened, but it’s the idea of it that has him so hung up.

Ty unbuckles his booster seat as soon as we’re parked. “Did you bring some bread?”

“Oh shoot,” My brow creases. “We forgot to stop for some on our way.”

Ty frowns, dragging his feet as we walk down to the lake.

“There’s a grocery store right up the street,” Roman suggests. “Why don’t I go get some?”

“Yeah! Maddie and I can wait here,” he says, lighting up.

Roman ruffles Ty’s hair and then gives me a quick kiss. “I’ll be right back.”

He jogs back up the hill and climbs into the car, driving out of the lot. I see Ty’s set on the playground like they usually are when we come, and I have an idea.

“So, what do you want to do while we wait for your dad?” I ask him.

Ty shrugs. “I don’t care”

“Actually, I was wondering if you could help me with something.”

“Sure! What is it?” he says excitedly.

“Well, truth is, ever since that day in the park, I’ve been kind of scared to play on the playground.”

Ty looks up with a funny expression. “You like to play on the playground?”

“Of course, I do. I love to climb. But lately, I feel weird. My chest gets tight and I get shaky and I don’t feel like I can do it.”

“Oh.” Ty chews on his lip, staring over at all the intricate climbing equipment. If any park is going to entice a kid, it would be this one. The possibilities are endless. He wants to so bad, but that trauma lingers.

“Do you have any ideas what might help me? I really want to climb, but I don’t want to feel so nervous about it.”

His eyes are still set on the park as his mind swirls, but eventually he responds.

“Maybe we could do it together.” His voice cracks, barely above a whisper and he doesn’t even look at me.

“Yeah, that’s a great idea,” I say. “Let’s try it.”

I offer my hand out to him, and he takes it hesitantly.

Ty likes to be brave, just like his dad, so maybe if he thinks he’s helping me, it’ll be the thing to get him back on the playground.

Step by step, we make our way to the equipment until we’re standing right in front of it.

A big climbing dome with built in tunnels and monkey bars and a few other cool contraptions stares right back at us.

“Where should I start?” I ask him.

Ty reaches out, touching one of the bars. First, it’s just with a finger, then the palm of his hand, and soon, he grips the whole thing. A smile pulls at his lips as he holds onto it, and then slowly he lifts his foot up.

“Like this,” he says. “Put your foot up here.”

“Okay.” I follow his direction and then wait for another, giving him time to process through. Once he gets the hand of it, he needs no encouragement.

“And then this one!” he shouts. “Come on, Maddie!”

“I’m coming, buddy,” I laugh, climbing up after him.

“Higher! Put your hand here. You can do it.”

The encouragement is almost more than I can take.

He’s so sweet and adorable and the light on his face is contagious.

I can’t stop smiling as I watch him scale the giant dome, and as I teetering on the railing behind him, I actually do start to feel a little nervous.

Just as we get to the top, I see Roman’s car pulling back into the lot.

Even from here I can see the shock on his face, although I’m not sure if he’s more surprised to see me or Ty up here.

“Daddy! Look!” Ty beams, waving as Roman walks down the hill toward us. “We’re up here!”

“I can see that.” Roman chuckles. “That’s awesome, buddy. Great job!”

As I make my way down the structure, Ty basks in the praise and continues to climb all over it. It’s like nothing can stop him now.

At the bottom, Roman helps me off, sweeping me into a giant hug. “You’re pure magic, you know that?” He kisses me, and when he sets me back down on the ground, I notice a few tears in his eyes. “How did you manage this?”

“Well, I think I finally have you Molanari men figured out.” I smirk, lacing our fingers together as we walk to a nearby bench where we sit and watch Ty.

“Is that so?” He laughs, arching an eyebrow.

I nod. “You like to fix things. I just had to make Ty think I was the one who was scared.”

“That’s brilliant,” he says. “He looks so happy up there.”

“He does.” I agree. Ty hasn’t missed a beat in the last few weeks and it’s incredible to see.

There’s an unfamiliar tug in my heart, and I can feel how attached I’m getting to Ty–to both of them—but the weight doesn’t feel as daunting as before. It feels right.