CHAP 4 — The Cot
The garage smelled like mildew, gasoline, cardboard, and humiliation.
An old folding cot sat between Brad’s covered Mercedes and a stack of boxes labeled Christmas, though half the ornaments inside belonged to Michael’s mother.
No heater.
No rug.
No clean corner.
My mother handed me one thin blanket and said, “Don’t be dramatic. It’s only temporary.”
Emily stood behind her in silk pajamas, holding her dog like a baby.
“Brad has important calls tomorrow.”
Brad leaned against the doorframe.
“Try not to touch the car.”
I looked at the Mercedes.
Then at my swollen belly.
Then at my mother.
“Michael bought this house.”
Her face tightened.
“Michael is gone.”
That was the sentence that ended her right to my softness.
I carried my things out myself.
A few coats.
Maternity clothes.
My laptop.
Michael’s dog tags.
His notebooks.
A framed photo of him laughing with dust on his face and sunlight behind him.
At midnight, the temperature dropped.
I put on Michael’s sweatshirt, two pairs of socks, and wrapped the blanket around my legs. My breath fogged faintly in the air.
The baby moved restlessly.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered to him. “I know.”
My phone vibrated at 1:08 a.m.
TRANSFER CONFIRMED.
PROJECT ORION APPROVED.
DEFENSE CONTRACT EXECUTED.
WELCOME TO STRATIX DEFENSE SYSTEMS, MRS. CARTER.
For a long time, I just stared at the screen.
Not because I was surprised.
Because Michael should have been there.
He should have lifted me off that cot, spun me around carefully, kissed my forehead, and said, “Told you.”
Instead, rain tapped against the garage door.
Brad’s Mercedes sat polished beside me.
My family slept upstairs in rooms paid for by the man they had already erased.
Then another message came.
COLONEL HAYES WILL ARRIVE AT 0800 WITH FINAL DOCUMENTS AND SECURITY ESCORT. REMAIN AT CURRENT LOCATION.
I almost laughed.
Remain at current location.
As if I had somewhere better to go.
I slept for maybe an hour before the engines arrived.
May you like
When the concrete began vibrating beneath the cot, I opened my eyes and knew the life my family had controlled was already over.
They just had not heard the door open yet.
