Janie Crouch - Major Crimes

Mason took after her—slender build, sandy-blond hair, and a zest for life that unfortunately had been driven out of her in prison. Hayley loved seeing the energy in Mason, and that energy fed her soul, especially on days when work seemed never ending.

“I know I sound like a broken record,” Ariel said, taking a sip of the coffee she had picked up in the food court. “But you look exhausted.”

Hayley rubbed her eyes and looked at the coffee with jealousy. She’d love to have the caffeine, but food court coffee was out of her budget. She didn’t want to admit how good sitting down for an hour felt. “I’m okay, no need to worry.”

“You’re working twelve-to fourteen-hour days, six days a week. You can’t tell me that’s not taking a toll.”

“It’s not forever. I just want to make sure I’m as financially situated as possible before you leave.”

Ariel took a sip of her coffee and worked to avoid making eye contact with Hayley. “About that... I’ve been thinking that maybe now isn’t the right time. There will be another fellowship next year.”

“No!” Hayley’s tone brooked no refusal. “You’ve given up three years of your life for Mason and me. It’s time for you to go do what you really want.”

That included a full scholarship to Oxford, studying medieval literature for her master’s degree. It was what Ariel had dreamed about her whole life. She’d postponed that dream to take in Mason, but Hayley refused to let her cousin give up any more time than she already had.

Ariel leaned over until her head touched the side of Hayley’s shoulder. “I haven’t given up zilch. If anything, I’ve gained. Mason has been a blessing.”

Hayley leaned her cheek against the top of Ariel’s head. “I’m sure you didn’t think that during middle-of-the-night feedings when he was a newborn.”

Hayley tamped down the heartbreak she still felt at having missed that part of her son’s life. The important thing was that Mason had been cared for by someone who loved him.

“You’re working yourself to the bone to try to make money for when I’m gone. If I applied for next year’s fellowship you’d be in a much better situation.”

Hayley wasn’t just trying to save up money for Ariel’s absence, but she didn’t want to burden her cousin with any of that.

“But we both know they’re not going to offer it to you again if you turn them down this year.” They both watched as Mason ran up over a foam bridge. He’d already met another little boy and girl and was giggling with them both as they ran.

“There are other places I can study. Closer to home, not across the ocean.”

“Ariel, you’ve done your part. I don’t know how I would’ve survived without you. But you need to take care of yourself now. And Mason and I need to get to know each other, on our own. To become a mother and son.”

Hayley had lived in the tiny apartment with Ariel and Mason since she’d gotten out of prison four months ago. Any hours she didn’t spend working she spent with her son. And once Ariel left for Oxford, Hayley wouldn’t be able to work these insane hours. Someone would need to be with Mason after day care, and Hayley planned to be that person.

So if she had to work herself nearly to death over the next two months to have enough money to get by while Ariel was gone, then she would damn well do that.

She would do whatever she had to in order to be able to live a normal life with her child.

“I know you don’t like to talk about this, but what about contacting Mason’s father?”

Hayley didn’t even hesitate. “Not an option.”

Ariel rolled her eyes. “You know I don’t believe that nonsense about Mason’s father being ‘unknown’ like you put on the birth certificate. There’s no way you had some sort of one-night stand and didn’t know the guy’s name.”

Hayley shrugged. “Yeah, well, we all make mistakes.”

Cain Bennett had been hers.

All too soon it was time for Hayley to get back to the Bluewater. Ariel and Mason came inside to get Mason’s normal scoop of Wednesday ice cream in the last few minutes Hayley had of her break.

Mason sat next to her in the booth and told about his friend he met at the play area.

“He came over and showed me his red car. Let me play with it,” Mason said between bites.

Hayley reached over and kissed the top of his head. “Sounds like a pretty good friend you made there, buddy.”

Mason moved on to talk about his favorite toys at preschool while Ariel and Hayley listened attentively.

Thank God Mason had taken to Hayley’s presence in his life with such acceptance, that Ariel had constantly shown him pictures of Hayley and had referred to Hayley as his mom, had brought him for visitation in prison when she could. She and Ariel had done their best to make the transition natural and nondramatic. At first Hayley had just come over every day and gotten to know Mason. Two weeks later she moved in to the small apartment with them.

Hayley knew Mason loved her and that was all that mattered. When it came time for Ariel to go off to school it would be hard, but by then he would be even more comfortable with Hayley.

She saw Timothy looking over at her and then pointing at his watch. Hayley let out a sigh.

“Okeydoke guys, I’ve got to get back to work.” Hayley stood up as Mason finished his last bite.

“I’m going to get this sugar-infested rug rat back home.” Ariel smiled.

“I’ll hopefully be getting off work at around seven thirty, so maybe I’ll make it home in time for a bath and some book reading.”

When Mason’s face lit up at her words, Hayley knew she would do whatever necessary to make it happen.

“I love it when you read me books! The fire truck book! The big banana book! The green ham and eggs book!” He bounced up and down on the seat, and she knew if she’d allowed him to stand on it, he’d be jumping with his excitement.

“All of them, little man, I promise. Okay?” Hayley laughed and reached down and scooped Mason up in her arms, hugging him probably a little too tightly.

“You squeezeded me!” Mason squealed, but hugged her back.

He’d always hugged her back. Hayley was oh so grateful that he’d never turned away from her, even at the beginning. She’d like to think it was because it was his child’s heart responding to her mother’s heart.

But it was probably just because he was a good kid and didn’t want to hurt her feelings.

Hayley set Mason on the ground after giving him a loud kiss. “Get the books out and be ready. I’ll see you tonight.”

She watched as Mason took Ariel’s hand and they walked out the door.

“That was an hour and six minutes, Hayley.” Timothy had made his way over while she watched them leave.

Hayley turned back to the table to pick up the glasses and silverware. “Don’t worry, Timothy, I will make sure I get all my work done.”

“I agreed to this break every day, but now I’m thinking you’re trying to take advantage of it.”

Hayley managed to refrain from rolling her eyes. Barely. “It was six extra minutes. There’s hardly anybody in the restaurant and I have plenty of time to get everything done before the dinner rush starts.”

“Well, I just don’t want six extra minutes to turn into ten extra minutes to turn into thirty extra minutes. After all, we did do you a big favor by hiring you here.”

Hayley didn’t argue, just continued to clear off the table. Timothy Smittle was getting her labor at less cost than he would have to pay others. She was doing the work of two people and barely getting paid one person’s salary.

But she didn’t have any other choice, so she would keep her opinions and her arguments to herself. This was temporary. Mason was forever. Whatever she had to do to reestablish herself, to be prepared to take care of him in any situation, she would do it.