Octavius

xxvii

FINLEY

"Hey Champ, I know we're the last person you want to hear from right now but I just need to know you're safe. Please."

"Kid, where the hell are you? You can't just leave and not say a thing. Everyone's fucking worried. Hell, I'm worried. What the f-frick! Just let us know where you are, okay? Please."

        "Hey babe, it's Presley. I'm on my way, I'll be there as fast as I can."

        "Baby, it's Mama. Where are you? What's this about you disappearing? Did something happen? Does this have to do with that boy? Come home, and we'll talk about it, please. Your brothers are freaking out, and Riley can't even look me in the eye. Please come home."

       "Hey Finnie. It's Riley. It's Dad. Bambi. I'm sorry, I'm sorry I got scared and all I wanted was to protect you. Baby, please let us explain everything properly, come home. Please. Please come home. I love you, we love you. Please come home."

"Hey, it's Charley. Everyone's worried about you. Stop causing trouble and just come home."

"Hi Finnie, it's Brynn. I—it's been two month. Two fucking months. Darcy says you're safe, and you're doing good and I trust him but... but fuck, I miss my little sister. I miss our fights and your laugh. If you ever decide to come back home, we'll be here waiting with open arms. Happy birthday Finnie."

"Happy birthday to the kindest and sweetest girl I know. Happy birthday, Champ. I love you!"

        "Hi, Bambi. It's R—Dad. Happy birthday, sweetheart. Remember when I said we would adopt Raven on your birthday, well... she's yours now. I hope you're listening to this, knowing how sorry I am for everything. All I wanted was to protect you. Happy birthday."

"It's Aubrey. Happy birthday, Finnie. God, I can't believe you're twenty-one. I—we miss you. I'm sorry. Come home soon."

        "Happy birthday, Topolina! I'm joking. Happy birthday, Cupcake. I know I'm probably the second last person you want to hear a stupid voicemail from right now but I sincerely wish you a happy birthday. Wolf and Growl miss you, and so do we. Happy birthday."

"Topolina," Deep magnetic voice spoke into the phone, effortlessly capturing my attention. "If you're listening to this now, I hope I'm the one who you're spending this special day with. Happy birthday to my little baby. The most perfect, and gorgeous baby ever. Sei tutto per me. Everything. All I want is for you to be happy, even if that isn't with me."

(You're everything to me)

Absolute silence filled the phone for a silent heartbeat, the sound of his roughly, dulcet breathing like he was holding himself from saying something else. "Look inside Mr. Snuggles heart, there's a little surprise, hm? Happy birthday Topolina."

My clammy fingers gripped the phone, silent tears raced down my cheeks unable to hold in my heartbreak any longer. My throat tightened as gut-wrenching sobs overtook my chest and forced their way out.

Grasping onto the pillow, I covered my teary face with trembling, shaky hands as tears botched down my face, dripping between my fingers, and rained down on my shirt; every every single memories of us together flooded through my mind and terrorized my soul.