I laughed, still sleepy. I sat up and moved my neck from side to side. Sleeping in the front seat of a car was not comfortable. Natalie was at the wheel, sipping a cup of McDonalds coffee, and Jordan was snoring softly in the back seat.
Me: Eww! Hawk! What's on your gross-out list?
Archer: Really long, curved fingernails, barnacles, mushrooms. What's on your gross-out list?
Me: Wait – you don't like mushrooms? I'm going to cook something that will change your mind when I get back.
Archer: No, thanks.
I laughed.
Me: Cigarette breath, maggots, gas station bathrooms.
Archer: I'll be right back. I need to go take a shower.
Me: Lol.
I laughed, but then I paused before typing.
Me: Thank you, I needed that. I'm a little nervous about today.
Archer: You're going to be fine. I promise, it's going to be fine. You can do this.
I smiled.
Me: Do you think you would do me a favor? If I call you right before I go into the police station, and put the phone in my pocket, will you just… be with me?
Archer: Yes, yes. Of course I will. And I promise not to say anything.
I laughed.
Me: Funny. Ilu, Archer.
Archer: Ilu, Bree.
I sat in the police station and looked at the pictures in front of me as the detective sat across the table, his hands folded, watching me closely.
My eyes zeroed in on the face I'd never forget. Lay down, I heard him command in my mind. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, feeling Archer on the line against my body, feeling his very being as if he was right there, holding me close, whispering in my ear, You can do this, you're brave, you can do this. And as I sat there, Archer's voice was stronger, louder. His voice was all I heard.
"This one," I said, pointing my finger at the man on the page in front of me. I didn't even shake.
"You're sure?" the detective asked.
"One hundred and ten percent sure," I said steadily. "That's the man who killed my father."
The detective nodded and took the pictures away. "Thank you, Ms. Prescott."
"Are you going to bring him in now?"
"Yes. We'll notify you as soon as we do."
I nodded. "Thank you so much, Detective. Thank you."
Twenty minutes later after completing some paperwork, I was walking down the police station steps. I took my phone out of my pocket and said into the open line, "Did you hear all that? I picked him out, Archer! I didn't even hesitate. I saw him in the picture in front of me and I knew it was him the instant I looked at him. Oh my God, I'm shaking like a leaf now." I laughed softly. "Thank you for being there. You made all the difference. I'm going to hang up now so you can text me. God, I love you. Thank you."
A second later my phone dinged.
Archer: You did good, Bree. So, so good. This is really hard. I want to hold you right now.
Me: I know, I know, Archer. I want that too. Whew. Deep breath. Oh God, the tears are coming now. But I'm happy. I can't believe this. My dad's going to get justice.
Archer: I’m so happy about that.
Me: Oh God, me too. What are you doing right now? I need to talk about something else while I calm down.
Archer: I just started a run.
I laughed and sniffled.
Me: You're on a run and texting at the same time???
Archer: I've gotten good at texting.
Me: No kidding, overachiever. Why am I not surprised?
Archer: You shouldn't be. Technology loves me.
I laughed, and then cried a little more, emotion overcoming me.
Me: Thank you for being with me. It made all the difference. You made me brave.
Archer: No, you were brave long before you met me. What's on your calm list?
I took a deep breath, thinking of the things that calmed me, soothed me, comforted my heart.
Me: The sound of the lake hitting the shore, a cup of hot tea, you. What’s on your calm list?
Archer: Flannel sheets, looking up at the stars, you.
Me: Hey, Natalie's pulling up at the curb. We're going to my dad's house to pack up a few more things. I'll text you later. Thank you, thank you. Ilu.
Archer: Ilu2.
Me: Guess what? I'm back on the road.
Archer: What? How?
Me: I miss you. I need to come home.
Archer: Is this your home, Bree?
Me: Yes, Archer, my home is where you are.
Archer: Did you sleep this morning? You shouldn’t drive when you're tired.
Me: I'll be okay. I'll make lots of coffee stops.
Archer: Drive safely. Drive carefully. Come back to me, Bree. I miss you so much it feels like a part of myself is missing.
Me: Me too, Archer. My Archer. I'm coming back to you. I'll be there soon. I love you.
Archer: I love you, too. Always.
Archer: Don't text me while you're driving, but next time you stop, let me know where you are.
Archer: Bree? It's been a couple hours and I haven't heard from you…
Archer: Bree? You're scaring me. Please be okay.
Archer: Bree… please… I'm losing my mind. Please text me. Please be okay. Please be okay. Please be okay.
CHAPTER 27
Archer – Seven Years Old, May
"Archer!" my mama called, her voice sounding just a little bit scared. "Baby, where are you?"
I was sitting under the dining room table, the heavy tablecloth hiding me as I kneeled on the floor with my action figures.