44. Damnit, Axe
Damnit, Axe
Dani
The next morning is a complete shitshow. After waking up on the swing in Gabe’s arms last night with swollen eyes and my throat raw, I ended up laying in bed, staring at the ceiling until five in the morning because my mind wouldn't shut off. And to make matters worse, all of Mason’s friends showed up around ten, and they were all starving . Those little shits raided my cupboards and fridge. I told Mason his friends could stop by once he was feeling better but I didn’t mean all at once and the very next day. By the afternoon, the house emptied except for the boys.
"Ma! Food!"
I bring each of them a party size bag of chips. "Make it last," I point between the three of them before heading back into the kitchen.
My phone dings on the table. An email from Mason’s physiotherapist, he will be here tomorrow morning to do an assessment on Mason.
"So soon? His cast isn’t off yet." I mutter to myself. I run a hand down my face, this is too much.
"Ms. Carter?"
I look up to find Clay standing in the doorway of the kitchen. "Hey, honey."
He shifts his weight. "Can I…speak to you?"
"Of course," I point to the chair across from me.
He glances back at the living room where Axe and Mason are before he sits. "Mason got hurt because of me." He whispers.
My brows furrow in confusion. "A drunk driver hit him. That wasn’t your fault."
Clay shakes his head. "I should have been the one who got hit. Mason—" Clay’s chin starts to wiggle. "Mason pushed me out of the way."
I reach across the table and take his hand in mine. "Oh honey. It’s not—"
"I froze. I-I-I saw the truck heading towards me, and I froze." Tears flow down his cheeks.
My heart shatters, he's carrying around guilt over something that was out of his control. "Honey, it’s not your fault. Anyone would have froze in that sort of situation."
Clay shakes his head. "Mason didn’t."
"That’s because it wasn’t happening to him. He saw the truck coming and acted," I rub his hand with my other one. "You would’ve done the same thing."
Clay sniffles. "I don’t know."
I rub his hand with my thumb. "Let me tell you a story. When Mason was three, we went over to Jake’s house to go swimming," I smirk. "Mason was going through a naked phase and refused to wear anything, including his life jacket.
"He made a beeline towards the pool and jumped into the deep end. I watched it happen but just stood there. My brain wasn’t registering what I had just seen. If it wasn’t for Jake, something horrible could’ve happened." I lean over and wipe his cheek. "It can happen to anyone, honey. People freeze up when something horrible is happening to them or to someone they love. You’re not a terrible person. Mason doesn’t hate you for what happened and neither do I. We love you, you’re family." I smile.
Clay gives me a small grin and stands. "Thank you, Ms. Carter. I feel a bit better knowing that."
"Glad I could help."
"You got everything, Bubba?" I ask as he makes his way down the stairs.
The last nine weeks have been brutal. With Mason’s casts coming off, all the physio appointments and missing the first three weeks of school, I’m done. Physically and mentally.
"I think so," he answers.
I hold my hand out for his bag and stuff his lunch inside. A horn blares outside. I open the door to find Axe parked behind my new-to-me Mazda 6. I bought it with my last cheque from Archer law firm. Not the best use of the money, since I’m still looking for work, but with my lemon in car heaven, I needed something to cart Mason around.
"Damnit, Axe. You have a fucking phone, use it!"
He rolls down the window. "Yeah, but then I wouldn’t get to see you," he winks, and I roll my eyes.
"Get in here and help Mason!" I yell.
Axe gets out and walks up the walkway.
"Ma, I’m fine." Mason groans.
"You can’t carry your bag and use the crutches at the same time." I argue. He doesn't need his crutches too much anymore, however, the physiotherapist suggested using them at school of the next three weeks. With of the amount of kids rushing and pushing in the halls, it was better to be safe than sorry.
"Yes, I can." And to prove his point, he slips the bag over his shoulder and moves towards the door.
"Okay, fine. Get going then." I watch Mason make his way to Axe’s car, fumbling with the door handle. I cover my mouth. I shouldn’t be giggling at this but it’s just too funny. Maybe now he’ll listen.
He probably won't.
"Axe," I laugh out, "help him with the door."
Axe opens the door with a bow, and I burst out laughing. Mason fires me a look and folds himself into the passenger seat.
I close the door and head into the kitchen, starting up my laptop and go job hunting.