Free In The Cage by Sandy Kline Page B

could have been a form of shaken baby syndrome but that was speculation and there was no clear cause of death but I know what happened. I was there when King killed my first born. He hit Ethan with the flat of his hand but it jerked him enough to break his neck or something like that. King and Boomer split the state and I had no idea who the other guys were that found me that night after Ethan died. There was no way I could track them down to testify that someone had killed my baby. I went through hell and for the longest time I thought the DA was going to bring charges against me for his death. The fact that I was pregnant with Diego may have helped my case.”
    “I am so sorry babe.”
    Jake wraps his huge arms around me and I just fold into his lap and let him comfort me. After a few minutes Diego notices and comes to investigate.
    “Are you sad about Ethan again?” Diego asks me.
    “Yes honey. I was just telling Jake what happened and it made mommy sad again.”
    “Are you gonna be okay?”
    “Of course honey. I’ll always miss your brother and be sad about it but I’ll always be okay.”
    “Can I watch more cartoons then?”
    “Of course you can, but in an hour we have to move. The hotel needs this room for another guest. We’re going to a new place.”
    “When is our vacation going to be over mom? I miss my home and my friends.”
    “I know you do sweetie. Mom has a few more things to do first and I promise we’ll do some fun things too.”
    “Okay mom.”

 
     
    Chapter Eight

    Answers and Even More Questions
     
     
    When our time is up we move to another hotel not far so we can still be by the water. This time we end up at the Berkeley Marina Hotel. I pay for a week in advance. While we’re settling in Jake heads off to see Jamarcus to get back into training and to talk about the upcoming fight. Both men are worried about what the promoters may try to do to top the last three man stunt they pulled off at the last underground event. It was nice to have him around but it’s also nice that he’s gone for a bit. I don’t know if he believes my whole story and it stresses me out wondering if he’s sitting there wondering if I killed my child and am trying to pin it on my ex-husband. Or he may be thinking that I am in California to exact my revenge on him and I am responsible for his disappearance. Both those stories seem more plausible than the truth at this point.
    Over the next couple days Jake is busy with his training so I use the time to play with Diego and take him to places he likes to go. We also see his new favorite movie, Guardians of the Galaxy, two times. He just can’t get enough of that flick. One afternoon after seeing the movie for a record third time Diego asks some hard questions.
    “Mom, what are we doing in California? And don’t tell me it’s our vacation. What’s wrong mom?”
    “Why did we suddenly have to move to California?”
    “Sweetie, you’re a big boy now. And because you are I think you can handle some truths. But first I have a few questions of my own. Is that okay Diego? Can I ask a couple questions first?”
    “Sure mom.”
    He sounds confident but I can tell he is afraid.
    “Sweetie, what did I tell you before we came to California? Did I tell you why we came here? Did I give you another reason other than a vacation? And…this question is going to sound really weird, but how long have we been in California. Do you remember when we left?”
    “Yes.”
    “Really?”
    “I remember because it was Ethan’s birthday.”
    “What?” My mouth drops open.
    That cannot be right. But somehow I know it is. We always celebrate his birthday; Ethan’s. I always give Diego a toy so I know he remembers the day and the last birthday we celebrated was almost two months ago. We have been living out of hotels in California for two months and I don’t remember a single day before I met Jake. Well, not exactly. I do remember seeing a fight with Taylor. At least I think it