Chapter 14 #2
I haven’t felt that since I started dating Grant.
It shows how quickly I’m getting attached to Seth.
He’s taken, and I won’t date, so I’m not sure why I’m feeling this.
Stupid flutters. Or maybe it’s because I’m establishing a real friendship for a change, and one I hadn’t had in a long time. Not since my ex.
Grant and I had a lot of friends, but when he cheated on me, did our friends stick with me? Nope, they stuck with him. Or I assumed. I may have pushed everyone away because of my devastation. That’s more likely.
“Ready, kiddo?” I call out after I tug my navy-blue Rice T-shirt over my head.
Cicero must think I’m talking to him because he rushes into my room, jumps on my bed, and screams at me.
“You ate literally twenty minutes ago, you damn goat. Your stomach is a bottomless pit.”
He falls onto his side, stretches out, exposing a white and fluffy tummy and pink toe beans. His yellow eyes give me a look that says, ‘Look at how cute I am. I deserve treats all the time.’ Of course, he shoots me a pathetic little meow.
“Drama queen,” I say, giving him a little pat on his stomach.
Cicero is my first pet. I’m not sure why I didn’t get one sooner. He’s pretty damn cute, even if he is loud.
Braeden walks into my room, looking even better than before. He picks up the kitten and cradles him, like a baby. The kitten starts kneading biscuits in the air and purring louder than a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. “I’m ready,” he says.
He sets the kitten down, and we head out of my room. But before we walk out the door, I get a call from that lawyer in Texas, who brought Braeden to me.
“Hello, Mr. Williams.”
“Hello, Mr. Abernathy.”
“You have some news for me, I suppose?” Is this about my guardianship with Braeden or something else?
“I wanted to inform you that there will be a burial for the boy’s parents, per their request. Their families won’t be there for obvious reasons, but a few of their friends are putting a little something together for them.
There will be a very small service and reception.
I know you have your hands full with him and your job, but could you bring him?
I’m sure he would like to say goodbye to his parents. ”
I look at Braeden, who’s watching me intently. “Yeah, I can do that. When is it?”
“Next weekend.”
I’ll have to cancel poker night with Seth, but there will be other nights.
And perhaps I could get in and get out without seeing my mother. What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her, right?
“We’ll be there, but I need to talk to Braeden first to make sure it’s okay with him.”
“Very well.”
Mr. Williams recited the location, and I made a note in my phone and calendar.
“Was that the lawyer?” Braeden asks.
“Yes, he’s letting me know that… your parents’ funeral is next weekend. He thought you might like to be there. I’ll make hotel arrangements. We’ll drive there. It’s about a five-hour drive. I’m not sure I can fly with you being a minor and me not having full custody yet.”
Braeden stares down at his feet, and you can feel the grief hitting him all over again. “Oh.”
I get that we need to say goodbye to our loved ones, and that it can give many of us closure. At the same time, it reopens wounds that are just starting to close.
I rest my hand on his bony shoulder. He’s only recently started eating better, so I hope he’ll be putting on some weight. “But I won’t make you if you find yourself unable to go.”
He nods and walks toward his room. Cicero weaves around his ankles, so he picks up the cat and holds him. “Uhm, I think I wanna lie down for a bit.”
I sigh, wishing he wouldn’t have to suffer like this. I barely know the kid, but he seems sweet, smart, and thoughtful. No one should have to lose their parents like that. “Okay. I’ll make us something to eat, in case you’re hungry later.”
He doesn’t respond as he heads to his room.
Poor kid.
“Hey,” I say before he reaches the bedroom door. He stops, but doesn’t turn around. I rub my neck awkwardly because I feel clueless about how to care for him properly or how to make him feel better. “Do you, ah… need a hug?”
He slowly shakes his head and continues to his room.
With my phone still in my hand, I send a quick text to Seth.
Me: Setback. Can’t make it.
Seth: Braeden?
Me: Yeah. We got a call about the funeral for his parents.
Seth: Poor kid. It’s going to cut fresh and deep.
Me: Yeah, he’s burying himself in his room again.
Seth: He’ll get through this with you in his life.
Me: I guess.
I’m not so sure. I’m terrible at this emotion thing. Growing up, I was taught to shut off my feelings. Then Grant’s cheating made it even harder. And fuck knows I’ve been trying.
Me: I’m also going to miss poker night.
Seth: Don’t worry about that.
Me: Thanks.
I hang up the phone before heading to the kitchen to figure out what we’re going to do for dinner.
Something easy. Whenever Braeden gets like this, he doesn’t eat.
Comfort food. That’s what he needs. Maybe some homemade spaghetti.
Everyone loves spaghetti, right? The note from his parents said he loved it, if I recall correctly.
As I grab the Italian sausage from the freezer to thaw, someone rings my doorbell. I set the package on the counter and answer the door, where I find Seth, carrying a box full of food, and his gaggle of kids.
“Hey,” I say stupidly.
“We thought we’d bring dinner to you and Braeden.”
There goes my stomach again, doing those weird spins, along with a heavy dose of emotions. Seth’s thoughtfulness not only touches me, but it tells me he deserves the fucking world handed to him on a silver platter.
He looks up at me with those pretty blues filled with kindness and empathy that humbles me.
For the first time in years, I want someone. I want him, and I can’t have him.
“My hero.”
He absofuckinglutely needs a giant plate of chocolate chip cookies.