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“I wasn’t sure,” she says and then drops her gaze away

“What are you doing, Lida?” I ask her slowly “What’s with parking on the bridge here?”

Her eyes snap back to o”

“You’rewith Charlie,” I tell her gently as I take one step toward her with my hand held out “How about you come away from it a bit”

Her body hunches protectively around Charlie, eyes filled with suspicion and she actually takes a step back froainst the steel

“Hey,” I call out to her and take two steps back ive her space “It’s fine You and I are cool I’”

She throws her head toward the end of the bridge where there’re at least ten cop cars parked “They want to hurt me Take me away to jail”

I take in a breath and hope to fuck I can sell this lie “They don’t, Lida Pepper is fine, and so is Lucy I’ve let them know the stress you’ve been under, and well…you’ve had medical issues that will obviously explain all of this Co a family”

“You think I’m stupid,” she hisses at me “Pepper and Lucy may be fine but I still shot one and hit the other I kidnapped Charlie I know damn hat that means There’s no family when I’m in jail”

Fuck, fuck, fuck

“All right then,” I say as I throw my arms out helplessly “What do you want from me? Why did you ask that I come here?”

She looks unsure and to my relief, she moves Charlie from her shoulder and cradles her instead so I can see her face She’s awake and s up at Lida

Lida looks at me with tears in her eyes “Look at that…she knoho I am She knows I’m her mom”

I decide to run with that I’m not about to tell her Charlie smiles at everyone

I take a few steps closer and crane hter “Wow Look at that”