Not a Chance(107)

"Arden. I came to see how you and Emily were doing." Arden hugged her back.

"Oh, you were the one sleeping with Travis."

"I wasn't...back then I wasn't...we weren't..." Arden slammed her mouth shut. What was the point. "Yes. That was me. I hope you don't mind, but I brought Travis with me. He was hoping to get to hold Emily one last time and say goodbye."

Tonya's expression immediately became guarded. "That's my baby. I had every legal right to take her back."

Arden held up her hands defensively. She glanced at Jerry to make sure he wasn't paying attention. "Of course you did, Tonya. It's just, Travis loved her so much. And all he wants is to say goodbye. Maybe see if there's anything you need. You know, he had all that baby furniture and clothes for up to a year old in size. They're really Emily's things. I'm sure he'd like to give them to you if you want to talk to him about it."

Tonya seemed to be struggling with how to respond. "Where is he?"

"Outside. It's a beautiful day. Could we take Emily outside for a few minutes?"

Tonya hesitated again. Then she burst into a smile. "Sure. As long as he don't aim to yell at me."

"He doesn't. I promise."

Tonya gathered Emily up from the floor and followed Arden outside.

"Where you going?" Jerry hollered after her. "Bring back more beer!" he said as the door closed, apparently thinking Tonya was going to the store.

Travis leaned against the hood of Arden's Miata smoking a cigarette. As soon as he saw them, he flicked the cigarette down and approached them. He had eyes only for Emily, a slow, sad smile blooming on his face. Emily squinted against the sunlight and rubbed her nose with her fist.

"Aw, she's tired," Travis said. He looked up at Tonya. "Can I hold her?" he asked.

Tonya looked to Arden who nodded assuringly. Tonya handed her to Travis. Travis scooped her up and pressed her gently to his chest. "Oh, I've missed you, little girl," he said, kissing her head and burying his nose in her hair. She squirmed and he adjusted her position, putting her up on his shoulder. She lay her head down, then, yawned and closed her eyes, her little hands clutching the fabric of his t-shirt. "Thank you, Tonya," he said. "This means everything to me."

"Sure," Tonya said. "I didn't know you liked her so much. I figured I was doing you a favor getting her out of your hair."

There was a flash of anger in Travis's eyes which he quickly quelled. "No, actually, it just about killed me losing her like that. I know she's yours. But I'd sure like to stay in contact. Anytime you feel like a visit or something, just bring her on over. I'll even babysit if you ever want a weekend away." He closed his eyes and gave Emily, who was now sleeping peacefully and drooling on his shoulder, a little squeeze.

Tonya glance nervously toward her front door. Her hand came unconsciously up to the left side of her rib cage. "Thanks, Travis. I might take you up on that."

Arden watched Tonya throughout their conversation. She examined her and saw needle marks on the insides of her elbows. Her eyes were bloodshot and dark underneath. Arden couldn't help hating her for living this life with an innocent child in the mix. But for the first time, she also saw a scared young woman with a lifetime of bad decisions and no prospects for a positive future. For the first time, she felt compassion for Tonya. She looked up at Travis and realized that he always felt compassion, even in his anger. And she respected him so much for how he was handling this situation.

"If you'd like to have all of that baby stuff, I'll bring it up in the truck later on," he was saying. He'd been telling her about all of the things he'd acquired in the two months he'd kept Emily.

Tonya nodded but didn't seem to be listening. "That would be great," she said. Her hand went back to her rib cage. "Maybe you'd better go on for now. I'll try to bring her by sometime next week," she said.

Travis's eyes welled up and he squeezed Emily one more time. Then he seemed to notice Tonya's nervousness. He glanced at the front door and his eyes clouded with anger. "You hurt, there, Tonya?" he asked, nodding to her hand resting on her side.

"Oh..." she said, "No. Not really."

"Let's see," Travis said. And before she could react, he reached out and pulled her shirt up. There was massive bruising along her ribs. Travis cursed. "Take Emily," he said to Arden. "I'm gonna go kill the fucker."

"No!" Arden and Tonya said simultaneously.

"Just go on home and mind your own business, Travis," Tonya said.

Travis shook his head stubbornly. The only thing keeping him from charging the door was the fragile baby in his arms.