June's eyes brim with tears as leans herself forward kissing Maddie on the top of her fuzzy little head. Waiting for her her speak is torture and seeing her swipe away stray tears makes my stomach churn. I'm at a point where I feel like I'm about to scream myself when Tom finally breaks the tense silence.

"Cassie. If what you're saying is true--"

I grab his hands and look him dead in the eye.

"I swear it's true. Every word. And I know what I'm up against but I can't leave it like this. I will, if you can't help me...but I'll never be able to get over it."

Tom glances at June and clears his throat. While June fiddles with Maddie and continues to wipe her eyes.

"There's no question that June will take care of Maddie like she's blood. But in order for your plan to work you're gonna have to listen to me. And listen good. Follow me."

I follow Tom to a door at the end of the hallway and he takes a chain off his neck and unlocks the door. Inside its dim but immediately I can tell it's an office. The walls are covered with newspaper articles, awards, and pictures. When Tom flicks on the light everything comes into focus.

Tom filters through the desk as I scan the walls in the fluorescent light. Pictures of Tom in his marine uniform take center stage to my eyesight. My heart beats faster as I think about the position I'm in. I think about Tom's position. I told them all about the army contract. Mr. Kayle had, and that he was planning on using Maddie to use her DNA as a recipe for making clones.

My mind was spinning. At any moment he could turn us over out of loyalty to his title and it would be game over for Maddie and me.

"Cassie. Pay attention. I can get you to Kyle. I can make sure you meet and get to say what you me to, but that's exactly what any clever crook would be waiting for."

I thought about Mr. Kayle. Was he clever? My father put the whole puzzle of Maddie together without Kyle's father even knowing. But maybe he didn't. Maybe Kyle's dad was just laying in wait for the perfect moment. Maybe he knew the whole time and like a lion watched the prey until the jugular was exposed.

I wanted to rush in there full force. I was confident in my plan, and trusted the few friends I had with my life. But Tom was right, I could be planning exactly what they were waiting for and that would put Maddie's while future at risk. No matter how much guilt I carried keeping her safe would always have to be first.

"I get what you're saying. And I can tell by these awards you know what you're doing. What do you think we should do?"

Tom lit up and grabbed a notebook. He grabbed a marker and began writing furiously.

"I say we do more than talk to Kyle, it's time to buy you some insurance for your future."

I had no idea what Tom was thinking, but seeing him excited and knowing I was going to get to talk to Kyle was everything to me.

He sat down at the desk never stopping his felt marker from its motion and I walked out of the room to pack a bag. It didn't matter to me what the plan was. I was ready to grab the moment I had messed up and give it one last shot. I needed redemption. And Kyle.

June came into the room holding Maddie and sat down on the corner of the bed. In her hand was a small medallion on a thin silver chain. She worked the links of the chain through her fingers as she worked up the courage to speak.

"I want you to know I'll take care of Maddie for as long as you need. Tom's got a great ability to sense people and I know he won't let you get into trouble. But, for me, I want you to promise to wear this necklace. It's Saint Michael the patron Saint of personal protection and Tom wears one on his neck every day. Served him in the force fifteen years."

I thought about telling her I wasn't catholic. That I really had no idea what my beliefs were at the moment but I knew deep down it didn't matter. What mattered was that June believed in it and cared enough to want me to be protected too. She and Tom were good people and I'd do just about anything to ease her mind.

"Thank you June. I'd be honored. And for everything really. I don't know where we'd be if Tom hadn't stopped to pick us up.  And you, opening your home and your heart. It just means so much."

She put Maddie down on the bed and fastened the necklace around my neck. When she was finished I wrapped my arms around her and held tight. I missed my mom. June was nothing like her, more round and less bossy, but both had the heart and spirit of a mother.  The very traits I hoped I could someday have for Maddie.

As we hugged it out I could hear Tom's voice on the phone and he sounded excited. Maybe this was a little bit of divine intervention. Tom seems to have become reanimated and June is just the kind of person I needed at this low point.

I lay down next to Maddie and placed a sloppy wet kiss on her chubby cheek making her smile. Somehow, someway things were in motion and I didn't have the giant ball of fear sitting in my gut that I'd grown so used to.

I was going to get one more chance to see Kyle, and Val and then Maddie, Buster and I could be on our way to actual living. It was more than I had hoped for.

Tom opened the door and threw something at me that I promptly missed and it landed in my lap.

"That's a scrub phone. No number, no ability to store information in. Make your calls. But be quick. Don't talk over 4 minutes and don't call the same number twice. When you're done, give it back and I'll get it wiped clean again."

I grabbed it quickly and held it to my chest. It was a like a free pass to joy. I was going to call Val first and get her to start gathering my bank information and set up a place to meet. As I opened it up I realized there was only one problem. I didn't have her number memorized.

"June. Do you have a computer?"

She picked up Maddie and gave me a look like I grew a third head.

"We're old dear, not dead!  Follow me."

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Showtime. It's going down. Cassie is about to get a second chance. Will she be able to see Kyle or will Mr. Kayle be ready to strike? 
Thanks for taking it easy on me ---I know my update schedule sucks right now. Between Wattcon and the Plague and my obsession writing Killing Tink...well, don't even ask. Lol. Another chapter will be up this weekend. I'm as excited about being finished with this as I hope you are. ❤