Chapter 7
CHAPTER SEVEN
By the time he and Brynn finished with the calls, it was seven thirty.
Parker had moved from playing with farm animals to building a Jenga tower. Callum could tell by how well the boy played alone that he was used to entertaining himself.
“Anything else I can help with before we start the movie?” Callum asked as Brynn entered his volunteers into her spreadsheet.
“No, that should be it.” She closed her laptop and looked up at him. “Thanks again for helping me out. I’d still be on the phone if it weren’t for you.”
“I didn’t anticipate it’d take that long, but everyone wanted to talk.”
Brynn chuckled. “It’s always that way. Next time you do it, you’ll know to allow extra time.”
He could have told her there wouldn’t be a next time because he wasn’t staying, but what would be the point? She knew his life was in Boston, and it was only a matter of time until he returned. “What movie were you thinking?”
Glancing at the clock on the wall, a vintage boomerang style in turquoise, Brynn made a face. “I don’t think Parker has time to watch a movie. By the time he takes his shower—and he’ll need one after the hiking and playground—it’ll be his bedtime.”
“I didn’t think about him needing to crash this early.” Actually, he hadn’t even considered the shower until this moment. Some father he was, Callum thought with disgust. He couldn’t even handle the basics.
“I only know because I remember my brothers being that age,” Brynn said, obviously trying to make him feel better. “Once he’s asleep, we can find a movie we both want to see. Best of all, it won’t need to be G-rated.”
Callum chuckled. Now, that did make him feel better.
“I’ll get him down for the night.” Callum strolled into the living room, and Parker looked up.
“Look at my tower.” Pride filled his voice, but there was a wariness, too, as if he still didn’t know what to expect from his father.
“Impressive. Great job, Parker.”
The boy grinned.
“Hey, I just realized it’s time for a shower and bed.”
Parker frowned. He opened his mouth, then closed it.
“Oh, and did I forget about the book? We’ll definitely read a story. Your choice.”
The boy’s frown disappeared as he scrambled to his feet. “Okay.”
Callum had taken a few steps when he saw the tower and the animals in the middle of Brynn’s living room. He placed a hand on Parker’s shoulder. “Hey, bud, we forgot something.”
Parker looked up at him. “What?”
Gesturing to the animals and the Jenga tower, Callum spoke easily. “We need to clean up in here.”
“But I just built the tower.” The protest, accompanied by a childish whine, was the most resistance the boy had shown so far .
“I understand.” Callum thought quickly. “You want Brynn to see it before we take down.”
Brynn stepped into the living room. “What do you guys want me to see?”
Callum opened his mouth, but Parker spoke first.
“My Jenga tower. Daddy says we have to take it down, but I want you to see it.”
Moving to the tower, Brynn crouched down to gaze appreciatively at the structure before turning to Parker. “Did you build this all by yourself? Or did your daddy help you?”
Parker puffed out his chest. “All by myself.”
“Wow.” Brynn kept her gaze on the tower for several more seconds. “Great job. Thank you for letting me see it.”
“You can help me take it down if you want,” Parker told her.
Before Callum could remind Parker that it wasn’t up to Brynn to clean up their messes, she smiled as if the boy had given her a great compliment. “I’d love to help.”
While the two of them took down the tower, with Parker chattering happily with Brynn, Callum scooped up the farm animals and fences.
By the time everything was put away, showers taken and two stories read, it was after eight. This time, although his lids were heavy, Parker hadn’t fallen asleep while Callum read.
“Can I ask something?” Parker murmured in a sleepy voice.
“Of course you can.” Callum stroked a lock of red hair back from his son’s forehead with a gentle hand.
“Every night, Grammy used to call me her sweet boy and kiss me right here.” Parker pointed to his forehead. “Am I your sweet boy?”
The lump in Callum’s throat and the tightness in his chest made speech impossible for a second. Then he stroked Parker’s hair back once again and bent over to kiss the boy’s forehead. “Sleep tight, my sweet boy. ”
A tiny smile lifted Parker’s lips, and he was asleep before Callum stepped out of the room.
Fighting a surge of emotion, Callum rested his back against the door in an effort to regain control before heading back to the living room and Brynn.
The next morning when Brynn stepped into the kitchen, she found Callum at the stove and the percolator filled with freshly brewed coffee.
Two places had been set at the table.
“What is this?” she asked, unable to hide her delight.
“A little nourishment to start the workweek.” He gestured toward the table. “Have a seat. The eggs are ready, the toast will pop up at any second, and coffee, the essential part of any morning, is waiting to be poured.”
Once they were seated, Brynn forked off a bite of perfectly cooked scrambled egg. “You didn’t have to go to all of this work.”
“You didn’t have to let us stay here,” he countered. “Seriously, I appreciate it so much. Being here, with you, has, well, made this transition with Parker so much easier.”
“I’m glad.” Brynn took a bite of toast, chewed. “What’s on your agenda for today?”
“I thought I’d let Parker sleep until he wakes up.”
It might have been a statement, but Brynn heard the underlying question. “I think that’s an excellent idea.”
“Then breakfast, a bike ride, maybe a trip to Eagle Tower.” Callum shrugged. “Or maybe I’ll just let him play. We’ll play it by ear.”
“I know it’s still early days, but if you think he’d enjoy being around other kids, the Y has drop-off day camps in the summer. From what I understand, the child has to be going into kindergarten in the fall, so Parker would qualify. ”
“I’ll keep that in mind, but right now, with everything he’s been through, I’d like to keep him close.”
“I can understand that.” Taking another long drink of coffee, Brynn stood. “Breakfast was wonderful, but I should get going.”
“Aren’t you forgetting something?”
Brynn’s brows pulled together in confusion, then her gaze dropped to the plate and cup on the table. “Sorry. I’ll clear?—”
“Not that.” Callum pushed her hand away and tugged her close.
When she wrapped her arms around his neck, she smiled. “I’m not positive exactly what you have in mind, but I like where this is going.”
Callum shot her an impish smile. “I thought a kiss that would say have a good day and think of me would be the perfect start to the week.”
“Totally agr?—”
That was all she managed to say before his mouth closed over hers.
On the drive to work, Brynn contemplated the two kisses she and Callum had shared. The first time he kissed her, she was surprised but didn’t read much into it. It was a simple gesture of gratitude between friends. And while it made her toes curl a bit, it was still not a big deal.
This morning, well, those kisses were not friendly. And they made her toes curl a lot. She’d always seen Callum as just a friend, but maybe she’d been wrong. They’d had an amazing connection for years and clearly now had chemistry. Plus, they were genuinely good friends. That was what she’d always wanted from a relationship.
She stopped her thoughts before they could go any further. Calling what existed between her and Callum a relationship was a bit much. But for the first time in a long time, a sexy man was making her breakfast and kissing her good-bye—was it so wrong to let herself enjoy it a little?
Thankfully, Mondays were too busy at work to allow her to dwell on romantic daydreams.
Brynn started her day by reviewing client notes from previous sessions in preparation for those she would see that morning. She enjoyed the men and women she’d taken on as clients and liked knowing she was making a difference in their lives.
The afternoon began with what she considered more paperwork—updating client records, responding to emails and preparing treatment plans.
The grief and loss group she led this afternoon was a favorite. Each person in the group— four women and one man—was coping with loss. It was a tight-knit group, maybe because of its small size or the personalities involved. Whatever the reason, the members had bonded, and Brynn was pleased with their progress.
The lone man, a retiree, had recently lost his spouse, who’d had dementia for years. Three of the women had recently completed cancer treatment, and the fourth woman had had to leave a job she loved but could no longer perform due to her MS.
“It’s good to see you all again.” Brynn let her gaze sweep the four who, along with her, formed a circle. “I’ll take a moment, as usual, to remind you of the ground rules. Everything said in this group is confidential. When someone speaks, we give them our full attention. We realize everyone responds to situations differently, so we respect others’ emotions and feelings.”
All five nodded.
Brynn kept her posture and expression open. Her role was to facilitate a free and open exchange of thoughts and feelings. “I’d like to hear how you’ve been feeling since the last session, how you’ve coped, any emotions you’ve been struggling with. Who’d like to go first?”
Jackie White, now in a wheelchair from MS, raised her hand. “I realize that what I’m facing may not seem as serious as?—”
Floyd Lawson, who’d played Santa Claus during Brynn’s childhood, lifted a hand. “I don’t want to interrupt you, Jackie, but losing something you love, whether a job, a spouse or even a pet, is important. When I had to give up playing Santa Claus ten years ago, I felt like I’d lost a part of myself.”
High school teacher Mitzi Rangold echoed Floyd’s words. “Loss is loss. We’re not looking to one-up each other here on who has it worse.”
Leona Jeffries, a woman in her mid-sixties who’d completed breast cancer treatment two months ago, nodded. “We’re all hurting in one way or another. And we’re here hoping to feel better.”
“Thank you.” Jackie, a pretty woman in her mid-fifties, offered the other group members a shaky smile. “I’ve coordinated the Little Fishes program at First Christian for thirty years. It broke my heart when I had to tell Pastor Marshall I was stepping down.”
“That had to be a difficult decision.” Sympathy blanketed Fran Eide’s face.
“Emotionally, it was,” Jackie agreed. “But there was relief, too.”
“Why relief?” Mitzi leaned slightly forward, giving Jackie her full attention.
“I struggled with the decision for months.” Jackie’s voice trembled. Some of that likely was due to the MS, but Jackie was also visibly upset. “In my heart, I knew it was time. I could no longer physically or mentally handle the position’s challenges, but I clung tight to how my life had been in the past rather than embracing the present and all it had to offer. Once I tendered my resignation this week, my sadness was mixed with relief. ”
“I understand what you’re saying, Jackie,” Mitzi responded. “Before my diagnosis, I planned a hiking trip with several friends for this summer. Even though chemo knocked me down, I kept thinking I’d be good enough to go. That focus on getting better so I could go was a positive thing. At least it was positive for a while. But the treatment affected me more than I expected, and instead of being excited about going, I began to dread it, knowing I’d never be able to keep up. The truth was, I found myself wishing I could just relax at home.”
Nods of understanding rippled around the circle.
“My husband planned a big party for my retirement.” Fran, her hair still growing out after the chemo, spoke up. “I received my diagnosis only a couple of weeks before the party. I put on a brave face but didn’t want to celebrate anything. I just wanted to curl up in a ball and rage at the unfairness of it all.”
Mitzi reached over and took Fran’s hand. Then everyone in the group was holding hands and offering words of support.
By the time the session ended, a sense of calm embraced the group. When they headed out the door with instructions to write a letter about what they’d discovered about themselves during today’s session, Brynn felt like she’d run a marathon.
Still, she felt a good kind of exhaustion as she thought of the support the group members had given one another.
Change . In one way or another, their lives had all changed. Understandably, they’d resisted the shift, clinging tightly to the familiar.
There was nothing that Fran, Mitzi or Leona could do to change their cancer diagnoses. The progression of Jackie’s MS couldn’t be changed. And Floyd’s wife was gone. But Brynn hoped they would eventually see that any crisis, whether health-related or a job loss, presented an opportunity to reprioritize what was truly important to them.
As Brynn settled in her office to write up her session notes, her thoughts drifted to Callum. He’d been living his best life when a wrench in the form of a son he hadn’t known existed had been tossed into the mix.
Brynn doubted he’d ever be able to return to the life he once enjoyed. However, she suspected that he was holding tight to that hope right now.
But at what cost? Her mind flashed briefly to kissing Callum in her kitchen that morning. That certainly wouldn’t be happening if he went back to Boston. And if he did return to his old life, what would that mean for Parker?
After finishing her last session of the day, Brynn entered the outer office just in time to see Callum and Parker getting into the Jeep and driving away. She wondered what had brought him here today.
Since five o’clock had come and gone, Peyton had left for the day. When Trinity strolled into the waiting area, Brynn discovered she wasn’t alone in the building.
“Looks like we’re the last ones standing.” Trinity stepped over to straighten a pile of magazines, glancing over her shoulder at Brynn. “How was your day?”
“It went well. How about yours?”
“Not too bad. The morning was slow, but it’s nice to have a few of those. It gave me a chance to check out several journal articles I’ve been wanting to read.” Trinity leaned against the counter. “Always something to do.”
“So true.” Brynn fought to keep her tone casual. “Was that Callum Brody I saw in the parking lot?”
“It was.” A smile lifted Trinity’s lips. “I remember Callum as such an engaging little boy. It’s strange to see him now as a man and not the high-spirited boy that you and Zoe hung out with.”
Brynn nodded. Sometimes, those days seemed so close she could touch them, and other times, they felt like a lifetime ago .
“I mentioned that he might want to consider counseling for Parker. I’m glad he’s following through.” Brynn met Trinity’s gaze. “I told him I thought you would be a good choice. I know Liam specializes in children, but based on what Callum told me about the boy’s relationship with his grandfather, a female therapist seemed a better choice.”
A thoughtful look filled Trinity’s eyes. “Perhaps.”
“You don’t agree?”
“Do you have time to sit for a few minutes?”
“Sure.”
“Let me lock the door.” Once that was done, Trinity sat in one of the chairs in the waiting area while Brynn dropped into another nearby.
Trinity appeared to choose her words carefully. “While a therapist’s gender can definitely be a consideration, I believe what matters most is that person’s skill and experience in building a trusting relationship with the child.”
Though Trinity had kept her tone casual, Brynn got the message. “You’re saying Liam would be a better choice.”
“I’m not saying that at all.” Trinity’s smile removed any judgment from the words. “If Parker would be more comfortable with me, that might help him open up more easily. However, Liam’s emphasis is child psychology.”
“Will Liam be seeing Parker, then?” Though they often discussed their patients with each other, Trinity would be tight-lipped about anything to do with Callum and Parker since she was aware of Brynn’s connection to them.
“Initially, I’ll see Callum and Parker together,” Trinity told her. “Callum gave me what history he had, but as we both know, kids see things differently. I may have Liam come in at some point in the session. If it seems like he and Parker would be a good fit, then he’ll take on Parker as a patient, and I’ll keep Callum.”
“Callum?”
“It isn’t just the child whose world has been upended.” Trinity’ s gaze grew distant, and Brynn could see that she was looking back. “I know what it’s like to go from being single to being thrust into the parent role. I lived through that turbulence. When Zoe came into Ryder’s life, he and I hadn’t been dating all that long.”
Brynn remembered that time as well. She and her mom had helped Trinity decorate a bedroom for Zoe. She didn’t recall much about that time other than she and Zoe had hit it off and become instant friends. Oh, and there had been something about Zoe’s grandparents pursuing custody after Zoe’s mom passed away.
“Didn’t Zoe’s grandparents want custody?” The second the question left her lips, Brynn wondered if she’d remembered that wrong, though she was certain Zoe had never had a relationship with her maternal grandparents.
“You have a good memory.” The words came out in an almost too casual tone.
Brynn expected Trinity to say more, but the psychologist changed the subject. “I’m glad that Callum’s back in a town with so much support. He’s facing a major life-changing event that was totally unexpected. Family and friends like you are just what he needs.”