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“Yep” His ot a couple of hours to report, but I can’t risk getting caught inrush hour”

“Yeah Traffic will be brutal,” I said inanely Next we’d be discussing the weather

“Ferry shouldn’t be that bad” Derrick pulled on his pants “I’ve got so me at the station”

“Ferry?” I pulled the covers closer around me “But you drove”

“I’ you my keys” He tossed them next to me on the bed He’d removed the car keys from his other keys, and he’d left the car ones on a fob with a dangling beaded charm one of the kids had made at camp My chest contracted hard

“What? You can’t leavea move for those keys Hell, I didn’t even want to look at the them for me

“Sure I can You like driving it” Derrick shrugged before bending to retrieve his shirt “I’es it for hborhood, but maybe you can do me a favor and take it for a drive or two?”

“I can do that” My voice was thick That was all the confirmation I needed that this separation was likely to be weeks or months, not days

“Good”

“I’ll keep your baby safe” I tried to smile but probably failed miserably “Will I knohen to have her ready for your return?”

It was a roundabout way of asking if there was any hope of news I knew chances were slies, but I wanted so to

Derrick nodded sharply “Hope so I updated et all the notifications One of the liaisons in the ombudset word to ency on this end”

“Thanks” I lickedLike way , and it underscored all the overwhel all day Asthat i in return “I’ll be there when you return if they get me notice”