Chapter 11

Ransom

Midnight rolls around as I make another lap through town. The lights are still on at The Café, so I know Mom hasn't closed up yet. Parking, I go to the door and knock. It's not like I don't know the code, I've worked here enough in my teenage years, but my Mom is a cop's wife and she does carry. I don't want to accidentally be shot.

She appears from the office, giving me a smile. Quickly she makes her way to the door, opening it. "Hey, thanks for stopping back by."

"This is too late for you, Mama," I tell her what I've been thinking for a long time. She needs to stop doing these closings. "You need to let the other people close."

"They have families too, Ran. You and Cutter don't need me anymore, and your dad is working all types of hours, just like you. I get bored."

"Then find a fuckin' hobby, Mom. I worry about you, and I know they do too."

"I can take care of myself," she argues.

It's then I see dark circles under her eyes and realize her smile doesn't go qui