Oh, brother, this will not be good. These were the only words that came to mind when I saw this man walking toward us. Maybe if I plead with him, he will not call the cops and get me in trouble. I can't let him around Jackson and me. All men scare me, especially big guys. I can't be too close to them, or I start freaking out.

"Sir, I'm sorry. The only thing I wanted to know was if there was a trash can where I could grab some food for my son. Please don't call the police. We are leaving." Jackson and I walked off, but the guy stopped us.

"Wait, are you and your son okay? Why are you trying to eat out of a trash can? He asked as he walked toward me. Oh Shit, this is not okay.

My already frayed nerves were on the verge of snapping, causing my body to shake. "Please, sir, please don't come any closer. Just let us leave and I promise you we will never bother you again."

Jackson took this time to let me know he was hungry. "Mommy I'm hungry."

"Baby, I know you are. We will try to make it to a restaurant and look at the trash. We will see if we can find you some food or see if someone can get you something. I'm sorry, baby."

"Ma'am, I can get some food for you and your son. If you will just come with me, I can get you something to eat." He held his hand out and gestured for us to follow him.

This man must think I'm crazy. I know that if I go with him, he will call the police and I will lose my son. I've protected my son for 4 days and I will continue to do so.

"Sir, thank you, but we don't know you and I'm sorry, but I don't trust you. In the end, you are going to get my son taken away from me by the police. Just let us leave and we will not bother you again."

"My name is Lester, but people call me Les. Now you know who I am, so can you tell me what your name and your son's name are? Despite how big and muscled he was, he had soft eyes and a kind voice. He seemed to care about getting us something to eat.

Before I could even address him, Jackson happily said, "My name is Jackson and I'm 5 years old. This is my mama." He looked at me and asked, "Mommy, what's your name?" Because all he has ever called me was Mommy.

I study the guy standing far away from us. Do I tell him my name, or do I make up a name? I can't lie to my son. I'm sorry, but I just can't. Finally, I decided to just tell this stranger my name. Maybe then he will let us leave and let us go on our way.

"My name is Stephanie."

"Nice to meet you, Beautiful. Now we aren't strangers. We know each other now, will you and your son please come with me, so I can get you something to eat?"

Before I could protest that we are okay, Jackson jumps up and down, "Food, mommy. We can get some food, please. I'm hungry."

It broke my heart. Literally. I felt so guilty that he was having to live like this with me. He never asked for this. Well, truth be told, neither did I. I finally relented, but I made it clear to him he had to keep his distance from me.

"Fine, Les. will go with you, but we stay in the lobby, and you have to keep your distance from me. If you attempt to touch me or try to call the police, we will run." I begrudgingly start walking with Jackson next to me.

True to his word Les, kept his distance. When we got to the door, he tried to open it for us, but I just told him to stay back so that we could do it. We walked into the lobby. To the left are 4 chairs along with the windows. Next to the chairs, there is a small space, then there are 4 more chairs along a wall facing the elevators.

The middle of the room is a circular desk with a very large man standing in front of it. He seems nice and motions for us to have a seat. While Les, the elevator operator, rode up, Jackson, and I sat on the chairs and waited.

Meanwhile, on the 5th floor of the building…

How was I going to explain to Ranger that a beautiful woman and her son were in the lobby hungry and scared to death? Not something you see every day. Something has happened to her because she fears me and doesn't want anyone near her. I don't think it's just me. I think it's men. Whatever happened to her must have involved men. She is limping, so she is obviously hurting.

I knock on Ranger's door, wait for his Enter I walk in. Tank and Ranger are talking about an upcoming client meeting they have in a couple of days.

"Santos, how can I help you?"

"Ranger, I need you to come down to the lobby." I started with that and then work my way up to the rest of the information.

"Les, can it wait?" he said, sounding frustrated with me when I asked for his help. "Tank and I are busy."

"Ranger, there is a woman and her son in the lobby. I found them in the garage. They are homeless and the little boy is requesting some food. I just wanted to let you know I was about to grab something and take it down to them. Sorry I bothered you." I turned and walked off. I figure he would follow me here shortly.

Sure enough, as I was leaving the break room with some food in my hands for Jackson, here comes Tank, and Ranger. I warned them ahead of time what the situation was before we went back down to the lobby.

"Hold up guys. You need to know something. Her name is Stephanie. Her son's name is Jackson. You cannot get very close to her. She shakes and hyperventilates. She doesn't look like she should be homeless. When she doesn't think you notice, she is limping and wincing. You can tell she is in excruciating pain. Please remember all of this and keep your distance."

Both nodded as I explained the situation. For now, I brought muffins, an apple, a banana, and a few bottles of water. I knew if we could get them upstairs, we could get them something else better to eat.

We rode back down in the elevator, waiting to see if Stephanie and her son were still going to be there. My guess is that they have already left. We were waiting to see for sure.

Meanwhile, back in the lobby…

"Mommy, what's taking so long?" Jackson was watching the elevator, hoping that Les would come back soon.

"I don't know, baby, but I don't like it. We need to leave. I stood to leave. Something was going on and I wasn't about to wait until the cops showed up, because I just knew they were coming.

I stood and grabbed Jackson's hand. As we were walking to the door, the guy at the desk called out: "Madam, please don't leave. Les will be back shortly. He is getting the two of you something to eat. Please."

I reluctantly sat back down. He was going to be given more time than we were going to give. I couldn't risk it any longer than that.

I'm seated in the far chair closest to the wall. Jackson is sitting next to me. As soon as I sat back down, the elevator doors opened, and Les and two other men stepped out. One of them looks like a huge diesel truck and reminds me of the Incredible Hulk. The other guy is very handsome and is dressed in a black dress shirt and black pants. He has black silky hair and mocha latte skin. His eyes are the color of chocolate, and his smile is mind-blowing. The 2 new guys scare the crap out of me.

They started walking towards me, and I freaked. I jumped out of the chair and crouched down in the corner. I moved Jackson next to me.

"Please don't hurt me. Please. Stay back. Get away from me."

"Stephanie, no one is trying to hurt you." Les pointed at the muscular black man who looked like the Hulk. "this is Tank," he pointed at the good-looking guy, "and this is Ranger. "I promise you; no one is going to hurt you." He placed the food on the seat of the chair where I had been sitting.

Jackson looked at me to see if he could get it. I nodded, and he ran over to get the food, then he ran back to me. As he was eating, I was watching them closely. I couldn't take the chance that they would try to hurt me.

Ranger's Point of View

I have seen no one so scared of someone before. Stephanie, that's what Les said her name was, had the deer in the headlights look. She was shaking and had tears rolling down her cheeks. I knew we could not get near her. So, I tried talking to her calmly and letting her know we would not hurt her.

"Stephanie, I'm Ranger. You are at Rangeman, the company I own. I promise you, no one in this building will hurt you or your son." I was squatting down at least 10 feet away from her and trying to reassure her she was safe. "Now that your son is eating; can you tell me the last time you ate?"

She looked around, then back and forth between Les, Tank, and me. Finally, she said "Monday"

She hasn't eaten since Monday. How is she still standing? It takes a lot of willpower and strength to go without food for so long. I hope she allows us to feed her because she needs to eat to keep her strength.

"Babe, look at me, please." She cast her eyes up to mine and held them. "Please let us get you something to eat. I promise you, no one will hurt you."

I barely heard her as she said, "Please don't call the police. I don't want to lose my son." She clung to her son, who was still eating the food that Les got for them.

This time Tank was the one who spoke, "Baby girl, I can assure you we don't like the police any more than you do. No one will call them here. Trust me on this."

She caught my eye again, and I nodded to let her know that what Tank said was true. She seemed to relax after that. I decided maybe Ella could talk to her and get her to come up to the floor.

While Les and Tank were trying to talk to Stephanie and keep her calm, I called Ella. She picked up with a cheerful, "Hello Ranger, how are you?"

I talked with her for a few minutes and explained the situation. She was more than eager to come down to the lobby to see what she could do.

Ella's Point of View

Ranger told me that a young woman and her son were in the lobby, and they were homeless, and she was scared to death. "Poor woman and her child" there are hundreds of homeless people on the street. It was a shame that people had to live like that.

I stepped out of the elevator and stopped to talk to Ranger. As he was telling me about the woman, I was watching her out of the corner of my eye. Her son wasn't sure what to do, but she had an iron grip on him, and she was not letting go. Let me see if I could ease her mind some.

I knelt next to her, told her my name, and asked her if she would talk with me. I was there to help her and make sure that she was okay.

"Ella, I am scared. After what happened to me, men scare me. It is nothing to do with these guys, just all men do. Please let them know it's not them. It's just the circumstances concerning what happened to me."

"Okay, Dear give me a minute and I will relay the message to them, and I will have them go back upstairs and you and I will chat down here and sit in the chairs, okay?" I was hoping this would work because I was getting too old to sit on the floor.

I walk over to Tank, Ranger, and Lester and let them know she fears all men, so it's not just them. I asked them to go upstairs, and I will try to get Stephanie and her son to come up to 5. The guys want me to make sure that Stephanie knows they are not mad at her for having to keep their distance. That they understand. They all leave in the elevator, which allowed me to talk with Stephanie and her son.

I patted the chair. Stephanie came and sat down. Her son Jackson was sitting on the floor beside her, playing with a Batman action figure. I took her hands in mine. "Okay dear, now tell me what happened. I promise you I will not judge you."

She told me everything that happened on Monday and until today. When she finished, I was floored. What man treats his wife like that and then allows some of his partners in his business to treat her the same way? Then the way he treated Jackson. He also didn't let them bring anything with them. She has no clothes.

What really upset me was the fact that she hasn't slept since Monday because she is afraid that someone is going to take her son. Then she keeps saying how she deserves everything because she is a "bad wife"

"Dear, you deserved nothing that happened to you. You are a wonderful mother. I can see that by the way you are taking care of your son. If you will allow me to, I would like to take you to the 5th floor where we can get you something better to eat for both of you and we can figure out how we can help you. Will you please let me do that?" I was stroking her hands with my thumbs, hoping to keep her calm.

I could see that she was contemplating coming with me. I could tell that being homeless was new to her and, from what she told me, she had nothing and needs help. My guys are the guys that will do everything they can to help Stephanie and Jackson.

I continue to coax her and try to get her to come with me. Finally, her sweetheart of a son could convince her.

"Mommy let's go with Ms. Ella. They have more food, and no one is going to hurt us. Please, Mommy." He stands up, grabbing her hands, trying to pull her up to head to the elevators.

"Okay, we will go up with you, Ella, but please don't let anyone get close to me. Please stay beside me. I'm scared."

I texted Ranger, to let him know we were coming up and for everyone to keep their distance.

She stands up and I grab her hand as she is holding Jackson's hand as we walk to the elevator. She is looking around, making sure that no one is around her or that her son is not in danger. When we get on the elevator, she makes Jackson stand in front of her with her left hand on his shoulder. You can see it's come second nature for her to protect him at all costs.

As we stepped off on 5, I look over at Stephanie to see her reaction to everyone. I knew right when she started freaking out. Her eyes got huge, and she was looking back and forth between everyone. Then she looks at me and just shook her head no. She just kept shaking her head over and over.

"Stephanie, dear. Listen to me. No one is going to hurt you, I promise. Many of these gentlemen are ex-military. I promise you, no one will hurt you. You don't have to be scared."

I'm holding her hands, trying to get her to calm down, but I can tell it's not working.

Lester sees us and stops about 6 feet from us. "Beautiful, I know it looks scary, but I promise, you have my word no one in this building will hurt you. No one. Please let Ella take you to the conference room and get you and Jackson something to eat. Please."

"Come on dear. Let's sit down so I can get you some food to eat." I gently walk her over to the conference room and sit her down in the chair, far away from the door as possible. "I'll be right back, dear." I know I need to get someone in here to talk with her so we can try to help her.

Stephanie's Point of View

Dear God, what have I done? When we got off on the 5th floor and I saw all those men, I almost had a heart attack. I think they made this entire company of nothing but men, except for Ella. I was ready to bolt when Lester came up to me to assure me yet again that no one will hurt me.

I still think the cops are going to show. I'm sorry, but there is no way that people are this nice to someone that they don't know. They will try to take away my son and I will have nothing to live for. I need my son and my son needs me. I just need a job and a place to stay so I can take care of him.

We are in the conference room now, waiting. Ella said she was going to get us actual food and would be back shortly. Jackson is sitting in the chair beside me on my right side playing with Batman. That's someone who I wish was real, Batman. I could use a superhero about now.

Just then, in walks Lester and Ranger. Ella is right behind them, rolling a cart. Whatever is on the cart smells so good. I'm starving. She pulls the cart over to me and starts placing food on the table. Talk about a lot of food. Geez, who is she feeding an army?

"Stephanie, I got you some beef stew with some crackers. Also, a sandwich tray with a variety of sandwiches and I have some vegetables and dip for you and Jackson. You eat whatever you want and if you need more, we have plenty."

I made sure Jackson had what he wanted to eat, then I started eating. I grabbed two sandwiches and some veggies, then a bowl of beef stew. All of it tastes fantastic and I'm starving, so at this point, anything would taste good.

Ella stands by my side while I eat, to make sure that I am eating. I know she was upset that I haven't eaten since Monday. I always make sure that Jackson gets food before me.

"Thank you, Ella, for the food. We appreciate it."

"You are welcome, dear. We are glad you like it. When you are done, let Ranger or Lester know and I will come and clean up everything."

I just realized that Lester and Ranger have taken a seat at the other end of the table. That's fine by me if they don't move any closer. I just can't deal with the presence of a man right now.

"Thank you, Ranger and Lester, for getting us food. We really appreciate it." I enjoyed the food that they gave to me.

"Babe, you're welcome. I'm glad you and Jackson came up here to eat. Not having eaten since Monday, I don't see how you are standing. Eat as much as you want, Querida, there is plenty." He smiles as he watches me eat my food.

Lester smiles, "Beautiful, we are glad to see you enjoy your food."

"Babe, I'm glad to know that you are eating. You needed to."

After an hour, Jackson and I finished every morsel of food that was laid out in front of us. It was all fabulous. Ella came in and started clearing away dishes. Praising us for eating everything.

Ranger was talking to Lester and then turned to me, "Babe, look at me, please." I locked my eyes with him. "We know you are in pain. We can tell by the way you walk." Before I could protest, he had his hand up, "Wait before you say anything, please let our medic Bobby look at you. I promise you he will not hurt you and I can get my sister Celia, who is a doctor, to come and be with you when Bobby examines you. Please."

My eyes got big, and my hands started shaking. I can't let a man examine me. He could hurt me like Dickie and his partners did? How would I get out of this situation?

Ranger's Point of View

I knew it would scare Stephanie when I asked her to let Bobby examine her. I just thought at the last minute about Celia. She would be perfect to come and be with Stephanie while she was examined.

I call Stephanie "Babe". Why did I start that, I have no clue. I spoke to her. It just seems right. It seems to fit her. Ella didn't tell me what Babe told her, but the way Ella was mad when they came onto 5, I can only imagine what was told to her by Babe.

I get out my phone to call Celia, "Hey sis, I need your help." I explained to her what was going on and she agreed to come over and see if she can be some help to Stephanie. Let's hope that she can. I feel the need to protect this woman and her child. I don't know why, but I do.

If she would let me, I would hug her and tell her that everything was going to be okay and I would hold her as well, but she won't let any man get near her.

Celia said she would be over within the hour. I just hope that Babe can stay here for that long without wanting to leave. I need something to distract her by taking her mind off everything.

Let me see if talking to her son will help with the distraction. I move over a couple of seats so I'm almost in front of him, but there are still 2 seats separating me from Stephanie.

"What you got there, buddy?" Jackson handed me his Batman figure.

"It's Batman, Mr. Ranger. He is my favorite superhero. He is also mommy's favorite too." When he told me about the last part of Babe, he put his hand on the side of his mouth.

Laughing, "Oh, is that right? Well, I like Batman myself, but you know technically he doesn't have any superpowers, so how can he be a superhero?"

"Doesn't matter, silly, if he doesn't have superpowers. He is Batman. His superpower is protecting people, at least that's what mommy says. When Batman protects people, he makes them feel safe and makes them feel like no one will hurt them. So, he doesn't need superpowers to do that. Besides, Batman has the coolest toys to play with."

I laughed at the cool toy remark. However, the rest of it seemed to be true when you think about it. Knowing that Batman is also Babe's favorite makes me feel like I need to be her Batman. You know the person who protects and keeps her safe. Dios, where are these thoughts coming from?

I wanted to take a chance and see how Babe would react to me. She seems to listen to me when I say something to her. So, I ask her if Jackson can move down a few seats where Lester is and talk with him because I wanted to talk to her.

"Yes, I suppose Jackson can go to where Lester is at. As long as he stays here in this room where I can see him." Jackson excitedly moves down to Lester, and they talk about superheroes and other things. Now is my chance to see if Stephanie will let me at least hold her hand.

"Babe, I want you to know something." I now have her undivided attention, so I reach over and I grab her left hand. She tenses up and starts shaking, but I calmly rub my thumb on the back of her hand.

"Babe, it's okay. I'm just holding your hand. I will not hurt you. My sister is a doctor and a psychologist. She is going to be here shortly to see about getting you examined. We want you to get some medication if you need it for pain." She seems to calm down, so I talk to her in Spanish, "Carino, Esta Bien, shh..."

"Look at me please Stephanie." She looks at me without turning her head. She had been watching Jackson. Now I have her attention again. "Are you okay with my sister coming here to help you get examined?"

She says nothing, she just nods. Hey, that's good enough for me. I continue to hold her hand and stroke the back of it with my thumb. I'm trying to calm her down and get her relaxed.

"Babe, I know you have a fear of men. I don't know why. Querida, look at me, please." She shifts her eyes over to me again, "You can tell me what happened. No one will judge you and no one will hurt you."

She shakes her head no and whispers, "I can't Ranger, it was my fault. I was a bad wife. I deserved what I got. Someone will take Jackson if I don't watch him. Please understand."

Dios, when I find out what happened to her, I'm going to kill the sonofabitch that did this to her. No one will touch her or her son if she is here.

I look over as the door opens and Celia walks in. She accesses the situation and nods for me to come to talk to her. I let go of Babe's hand. "Babe, I'm going to talk to Celia. I'll be right back. You're safe, I promise."

Celia's Point of View

I walk into the conference room, and I see Lester talking to a beautiful little boy. Then I see Carlos sitting 2 seats away from a very frightened woman, rubbing her hand. He told me he needed help with something. Let me find out what is going on here.

Carlos walked over to me and told me that Lester had found the woman and her son in the garage looking for food in the trash can. They are homeless and something bad has happened to her. They want to help her, but she is scared to death of men. He said that she will not allow a man to come near her. I asked him how he could hold her hand and rub it. He stated that he just grabbed it and she started freaking out, but he calmed her down by speaking to her in Spanish and just assuring her everything was okay. He also told me she is hurt and needed medical attention but will not allow Bobby to check her.

I walked over and sat down by Stephanie. I wanted to ask her if I could talk to her by herself. I wanted to see if she would allow Lester or Carlos to take her son to their office so we can chat.

I grabbed Stephanie's left hand, the same one that Carlos was previously holding. "Stephanie, hi I'm Celia and I am here to help you. Can you talk to me? I would like to talk to you alone with no one else in the room. Is it okay if Lester and Ranger take your son to Ranger's office and let him hang out there?"

She looked at me with wild eyes. "No, he can't be out of my sight. I'm a bad wife and I don't watch him. I can't lose him. Please, I don't want to lose him."

I patted her hand. "Honey, it's okay, I promise. No one will hurt you, no one will take your son." I wasn't sure how I was going to get her to talk to me if I couldn't get her alone.

Carlos walked over beside me. "Babe, I have a camera on my phone. I can put it on the monitor here and you will see Jackson while he is in my office. That way, you will still be able to see your son and talk to Celia at the same time. Will that work?"

She thought about it for a moment, then she nodded her head. Carlos had Lester take the little boy to his office and set his phone up so we could view the video on the computer in this room. Carlos turned the monitor so it would face us and so Stephanie could watch her son. That seemed to make her happy because she could talk to me and glance over and check on her son every few minutes.

I thanked Carlos and so did Stephanie. "Thank you, Ranger." He smiled, nodded his head, and walked out the door. Leaving us to talk alone.

"Okay Stephanie, tell me please what happened to you." She watches me and then glances at the monitor to make sure she can see her son. She realizes he is okay. For the next twenty minutes, she talks.

When she is done, she is sobbing and shaking. I pull her into my arms, and I just hold her and rock her back and forth. "Sweetie, it's okay. I'm so sorry you were treated like that. You need to let me get you examined. I know you are afraid, but I'm right here and I promise you I will let no one hurt you." I pulled her back from me and had her look me in the eyes. "Stephanie, will you let me take you to Bobby so he can examine you? I will be in the room with you, and no one will hurt you. Please, Stephanie, let me help you."

She watches my eyes to see if I'm lying. When she realizes she can trust me, she agrees.

"Can I ask Lester or Ranger to be in the room with us?"

"Ranger, please. Lester is watching Jackson. He can't stand close to me though, please."

"I know, sweetie. I will tell him. Let's go see Bobby."

She takes one last look at the monitor; she stands up and walks out with me. We get to the door, and she stops. "Wait, I want to watch Jackson. I must be able to watch him. I can't lose him."

I call Carlos and have him come and put the video feed on my phone so I can let her view it from there. After that's done, he walks in front of me a few feet away as we head to Bobby's office. Carlos takes the stairs and Stephanie and I take the elevator. He ends up beating us there. Showoff!

Bobby's Point of View

I don't see how Celia did it, but she got Stephanie here so I can examine her. Celia told me I must take it slow with her and not make any sudden moves. I must talk slowly to her and let her know what I'm doing.

Celia walks Stephanie into the room and sits her down on the examination table. Ranger comes in and leans against the wall with his hands crossed over his chest.

"Stephanie, I'm Bobby and I'm going to examine you today. I will be gentle, and I will not hurt you, okay? I need to get closer to you to touch you, okay?"

Her eyes go wide, and she grabs Celia's hands in an iron grip. She keeps shaking her head no. She has the deer in the headlights look and is hyperventilating.

Celia took one of her hands out of Stephanie's grip. She strokes her hair, "Stephanie, remember I told you that Bobby has to examine you? There is no other way for him to do that but to touch you. I'll be right here, and I will not let go. You will be okay."

I can see that Stephanie calms down some. She leans over and looks past Celia to Ranger. She seems to want some sort of clarification from him, as well. He looks at her, gives her a smile, and nods his head. That seems to seal the deal because she looks at me and nods as well.

I stroll up to her, and I raise her shirt just up to her bra line and I gasp. Dear God, what happened to her? Her stomach has bruises all over it and she has a couple of what look like knots that have formed.

I glance over at Ranger, and you can tell he is fuming. He has his fist balled up next to his sides. I need to get some X-rays before I can assess the damages.

"Okay Stephanie, let's get you over to the x-ray machine so I can get some pictures of your ribs."

She gets off the examination table with Celia and they walk over to the x-ray machine. Celia has her lie down and we fix her shirt so that nothing is showing that shouldn't be. She lays there patiently while I take the x-rays.

After that, we move her back to the examination table. While I'm looking at the X-rays, Ranger walks over to look with me. "Ranger, what happened to her? She has blot clots that have formed into knots. I'm surprised that she is still standing. We must get her medication and sleep. You said she hasn't slept since Monday. She must rest, or she is going to end up in the hospital and then Jackson will be taken from her because the hospital will do it. We must make her understand that.

"Babe, I need to talk to you. Can I come closer, please.? I won't hurt you, but I need to talk to you. It's important." We hold our breath to see if she will allow Ranger to talk to her. She looks into his eyes, then nods and holds out her hands for him to hold them. I don't know what kind of connection they have, but she seems to trust him when she doesn't trust any other man.

Celia walks over to talk to me. Let's hope that Ranger can get her to listen to him, otherwise, she may have to go to the hospital. Celia and I huddle together to talk as Ranger talks to Stephanie.

Ranger's Point of View

Dios, those bruises on Babe's stomach. I would like to kill the asshole that hurt her. He deserves to die a very painful death and if I have anything to do with it, he will.

Bobby said I need to talk to Stephanie to get her to understand that she needs to rest, or she will end up in the hospital. I'm surprised she allowed me to touch her, but she held out her hands when I asked if I could come closer to her.

She is looking at me now with those beautiful blue eyes. They look scared and worried. I want to protect her and keep her safe. Why I don't know, but I feel like I'm supposed to. I move a curl behind her ear. I didn't think before I did it. She tensed up a little, but then when she realized what I was doing she relaxed. Now, I must talk to her about resting and letting us take care of her. Here goes nothing.

"Babe, I need you to listen to me, please. Bobby said that you have cracked ribs and bruised ribs. The knots on your stomach are blood clots. Now, I need you to listen to me well, babe." She is still staring at me, and she nodded. "Bobby has medicine to give to you, but you have to rest. Meaning you must lie down and sleep. We have an apartment on the 4th floor that is 2 bedrooms. You can sleep there. No one is using the apartment, and I want you to stay and sleep. If you don't agree to this, you will end up in the hospital and if that happens, the hospital will make sure that Jackson will be taken from you. Do you want that to happen?"

Her eyes grew glassy with unshed tears. "No, Ranger, I don't want to lose my son. If I sleep and rest, who will watch him?"

"We will watch him; he will be fine. He will eat again when it's time and we will find something for him to do. We have a game room on the 2nd floor. Lester or I will take him there. Please, babe, you need to rest. Will you let me take you to the apartment to rest?" I continue to hold her hands and rub my thumbs over the backs of them, trying to keep her calm.

She got down off the table. "Show me where you want me to sleep, and I will. I trust you to take care of Jackson for me. I will let you and Bobby, and Celia walk with me, but I don't want anyone else to."

I motion for Bobby and Celia to come so we can all go to 4. Bobby has his bag with medicine now Babe can finally get some rest and maybe she will feel better. I'm glad she is trusting me. Hopefully, she sleeps for hours. The more sleep she has, the better.