“It sucks.” He looked at the ground, probably to hide his tears.
I carefully schooled my features so he wouldn’t see how his display of emotion affected me. I cleared my throat, laying a hand on his shoulder. “It does. I’m sorry your father died. I’m sorry you’re going through this, but we’re in this together.”
He looked up at me, his eyes shiny with tears, his tone pleading. “You’re not going to leave me, are you?”
“Why would you think that?” Guilt swirled through me that I’d ever considered it.
“You asked if I wanted to move to Florida.”
My heart clenched at the idea he thought I’d leave him with his grandparents because I had considered that even if the idea didn’t hold any appeal now. “Remember I asked if you wanted to move to be closer to them, not to move in with them. I wanted them to be part of your life too.”
His brow furrowed. “I don’t want to leave.”
“I won’t make any decisions without discussing it with you first. It’s you and me from now on.” Telling him he was mine wasn’t part of my plan today, but it felt right to make that clear. If we moved, it would be together, and it would be because both of us wanted to.
Declan nodded, seemingly satisfied with my answer.
I threw my leg over the bike. “Let’s ride. I’m getting hungry.”
Declan was my responsibility now. I wasn’t sure at first if I could handle parenting, but I was doing it. I wasn’t any different than other parents who questioned their ability from time to time, The thought of Declan living with someone else at this point was unimaginable.
We rode our bikes down the trail into Annapolis toward the marketplace, hoping to grab a sandwich and eat it by the water. I loved my hometown. It was busy at times with tourists or when there was a boat or art show, but it was quaint, filled with good restaurants, stores, and historical buildings. We locked our bikes, entering the marketplace, which had been renovated since the last time I was home.
We grabbed sandwiches and drinks to walk to the harbor. It was a Saturday, so the area was bustling with families and tourists. We ate quickly, hungry from the bike ride.
“Did you want to see anything else while we’re here?” I considered the crowd of people by the harbor which seemed to increase as we sat, wondering where we could go that would be quieter.
Declan shook his head. “Not really.”
I tried to think of something he’d be interested in seeing. I wasn’t ready to go back to the house. He’d want to play video games as soon as we were back. “Have you toured the Naval Academy?”
“No.” His eyes lit up with interest.
I checked the time. “If we get there soon, we might be able to see roll call. Before lunch, midshipmen gather in their uniforms for roll call, playing the fight song before they march into the dining hall.”
“Okay.” Declan gathered up our trash, throwing it into a nearby can.
“It’s close enough to walk from here. We’ll get our bikes on the way back.” I made sure our bikes were locked before we walked the few streets over to the side gate for campus. Tourists milled about, taking pictures of the buildings before heading into the visitor’s center.
I checked my phone for details on roll call. “It’s supposed to start at noon in front of Bancroft Hall.”
We found a spot we’d be able to see once it started. What age would Declan think a Saturday morning bike ride was a waste of his time or a visit to the Naval Academy boring? It would probably be soon. I’d need to soak up these moments with him.
Each day I spent with him, the closer we got. His worries about me leaving him this morning solidified my decision to be his guardian. I couldn’t let him down.
The midshipmen began to assemble into a formation. Declan read from a brochure we’d picked up by the visitor’s center, “It says there’re four thousand students.”
“Wow.” I scanned the crowd as the battalions called roll, then the music started. My gaze snagged on a woman with long dark hair similar to Avery’s. I wanted to see her so badly I’d conjured her here.
The woman appeared to be alone, standing off to the side. Unable to see her face, I turned my attention to the midshipmen. Once roll was completed, the song finished, they marched into the hall.
“What did you think?” I asked as the crowd around us began to dissipate.
“It was neat.”
The highest compliment I’d get from a kid. “Did you want to see anything else or should we head back home?”
“Griffin?” a woman’s voice asked.
My pulse quickened when I turned to find Avery standing in a yellow sundress and flip-flops, sunglasses perched on her head, her brow raised in question.
“I thought that was you.”
“You saw me?” She tilted her head slightly to consider me, the dark hair around her face making her blue eyes stand out.
My fingers itched to reach for her, pull her close like I had on the dance floor. “I didn’t see your face, but I thought it looked like your hair.”
Admitting I’d noticed her hair or that the sight of long hair immediately made me think of her was telling. Something told me I’d need to be up front with her or she’d ignore any signs that I was interested in her.
“What are you doing here?” Her gaze rested on Declan, who was watching her with interest.
“I thought Declan might like to see the roll call. Declan, this is my attorney, Avery Arrington.”
“Nice to meet you, Declan.” Avery smiled.
“Hi.” Declan shook her outstretched hand.
I loved that she treated him as a person.
Avery’s gaze moved from Declan to me. “My brother, Mason, attended the Naval Academy. I went to his graduation but didn’t get a chance to explore campus.”
“Does your brother fly planes?” Declan asked, sounding impressed.
Avery smiled as if she’d known he’d be interested. “Fighter jets, actually. When he’s deployed, he lives on an aircraft carrier, practicing flying, dropping missiles.”
“That’s so cool.” Declan’s voice raised in excitement.
“Do you think you might like to fly one day?” Avery asked him.
“I would.” Declan glanced at me as if to gauge my reaction.
“You can do whatever you put your mind to,” I assured him.
“If you decide you’d like to come here, I’ll talk to my brother, see if he can tell you whatever you’d like to know.”
Was she just being polite? I thought she’d said she wasn’t close to her brother.
“Does he live here?” Declan asked.
“No. He’s based out of Norfolk.” Avery fell silent.
“Hey, can I go look at the statue?” Declan pointed at the one in front of Bancroft Hall.
The crowd had dissipated so I could keep an eye on him. “Yes.”
“Did you mean it about your brother talking to him?”
She nodded. “Yes. I think he’d love to talk to another child who has the same passion as him. He’s always been adamant that the Academy saved him.” A shadow passed over her face then she added, “Apparently the mother of his child left. He’ll be deploying soon and needs my parents to watch him.”