Mindy slept peacefully in the recliner. Thomas sat in the couch holding his son in his arms. He couldn't believe in the few hours little Tom has been alive, that he was his son. Luda Mae smiled as she watched Thomas gently rocked the small baby back and forth.
"I am so proud of you", Luda Mae said as she kissed the top of Thomas' head.
Thomas blushed as he heard a chuckle. He turned to see Mindy stretch as she started waking up.
"How is my little boy?' she yawned.
Thomas gently handed Tom to her. Tom began to whine as he started waking up. Luda looked at Thomas who started to look nervous. Thomas didn't know if he needed to do something. They hadn't had to take care of a baby in years.
"It's okay, honey", Mindy said. "He's probably just hungry."
She smiled as turned onto her side as she held Tom. She pulled the corner of her nightshirt down just enough to expose her breast. Little Tom instantly latched on hungrily.
Thomas smiled as he knelt next to Mindy watching their son. He gently ran his fingers over the top of his head letting his son feel loved. Mindy looked at Thomas and softly kissed him.
"I love you so much", she said.
"I…love…you", Thomas whispered back.
Mindy smiled knowing all too well those were the only words Thomas ever said when he decided to speak. Thomas took Tom from her arms and held him against his chest as he gently patted his back.
"Why don't you take him upstairs and put him to bed?" Luda suggested.
"Mama's right", Mindy said. "It's late."
Thomas leaned down just enough to let her kiss the top of Tom's head. Everyone heard a car coming from the back. Hoyt had arrived home with the girl that got away. Thomas quickly took Tom upstairs before he could hear anything.
"You got her?" Luda asked as Hoyt came in.
"Sure did", he answered as he dragged the girl into the living room.
"How many times to you have to mess up your pants?" Luda asked shaking her head.
Mindy watched as Hoyt loomed over the girl with a bottle of beer in his hand. He poured it over her head getting her to wake up.
"Looks like this one's awake", Mindy said.
"Give her some room", Luda told Hoyt as she ironed his pants.
"Maybe she'd like to stay for supper", Uncle Monty said.
"Will supper be ready soon?" Mindy asked. "I'm starving."
"In a bit, honey", Luda said.
Everyone turned as they heard knocking on the window
"Grandma!" Jedidiah yelled. "Let me in now!"
"You best stay out there with them dogs till you learn how to play by the rules", Luda said.
Hoyt chuckled as he held the girl.
"You're not going nowhere, honey", he said with a smile on his face.
"Please", the girl said looking at Luda. "Please, just let me go."
"I know your kind", Luda said unimpressed. "Nothing but cruelty and ridicule for my boy, all the time he was growing up."
Mindy looked by the door and saw Thomas sitting looking depressed. He pulled away and covered his face as the memories came rolling back.
"Tommy", Mindy softly said.
"Does anyone care about me and my boy?" Luda yelled at the girl.
"Don't hurt her! Jedidiah yelled from the window. "Please, Grandma!"
"You shut up out there!" Luda yelled back.
"Help me!" the girl screamed. "Please! Make them stop!"
She struggled to get out of Hoyt's grip. He smiled as he tightened his grip on her.
"Looky, Mama", he said. "She likes me."
"Hoyt, enough", Mindy sighed. "Please, I have a headache."
"What's wrong with you fucking people?" the girl cried.
Everyone frowned as they looked at her. Even Hoyt lost his smile.
"Nothing wrong with us", he said.
"Tommy", Luda called. "Thomas Brown Hewitt, you get in here right now."
Mindy looked up and watched him come in the room. The girl saw him and struggled harder.
"No! No!"
"Get her out of my sight", Luda said.
"Sweetie, are you okay?" she asked as Thomas picked up the girl. "When you come back, we can talk, okay?"
Thomas nodded as he carried the girl to the basement. He tossed her down the stairs and slammed the door shut.
