Chapter 32 #2
I lengthen my stride to keep up with Kellan, who’s already out of the car and taking a set of steps leading to the upper floors two at a time.
When we reach the second floor, I grab his arm.
I expect him to pull away from the sheer force that seems to be propelling him forward now, but he stops quickly, his chest heaving. He looks terrified.
I take my chance. “I don’t need to know what’s going on, but I need to know what we’re walking into. Is Rick there?”
He shakes his head. “He wasn’t when Joey called me. He’d left. I think because he knows that hellfire is about to reign down on him.”
“So we get the boys and go. Okay?” I’m not letting Kellan ruin his life for some asshole who’d be better off disappearing back into the primordial ooze where he came from. Regardless of whether Rick deserves it.
He nods, and I accept it, even if I don’t quite believe him. Especially if Rick’s come back. But we’ll tackle that problem soon, if it comes to it. I follow him to a door about ten feet away. It’s locked, and Kellan pulls out his keys at the same time he calls out, “It’s me, guys. It’s just me.”
We walk into the living room, and I look around the apartment for any signs as to what’s going on. Sammy, the smaller one, is sitting on the sofa, his face splotchy like he’s been crying. Joey is next to him, arms wrapped around his brother and comforting him.
When Joey sees Kellan, he bursts into tears, like his little body can’t possibly hold it in any longer. “I didn’t know what to do, Kellan.”
Kellan is at their side in a second, and they both crawl nearer to him, his presence alone clearly a comfort to them.
“It’s okay, guys. I’ve got you.” His voice is full of emotion, but he’s holding it together.
“I’m going to take you both with me, okay?
We’ll get a hold of Mom later, and I’ll explain what’s going on. ”
Sammy crawls into his lap fully, then, and wraps his small arms around Kellan’s neck. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make him mad.”
“Shh,” Kellan says as he rubs Sammy’s hair soothingly. “You didn’t do anything wrong. Adults are supposed to help kids when stuff goes wrong, not get mad at them.” He leans back and looks at Sammy’s face before locking eyes with me. “Can you get an ice pack from the freezer?”
My stomach clenches when I notice the darker area under one of Sammy’s splotchy cheeks, and I feel like I could kill Rick, too. But instead of focusing on the anger flowing through my veins, I grab a bag of frozen peas and walk them over to Kellan. He takes them with a nod.
Sammy winces when Kellan puts the ice pack on his cheek, but he puts on a brave face and keeps the cold there. He only lets out a few small hiccups as he tries to get his crying under control.
“Joey, my man,” Kellan says. Joey’s ears perk up next to him.
“I’m going to pack bags for both of you.
Can you take care of your brother?” He points at me.
“Wells is going to stay out here with you so that you aren’t alone.
” As in, so there’s an adult in between the kids and Rick, should that asshole choose this very inopportune moment to come back.
Joey nods and opens his arms for Sammy, who, after only a small hesitation at leaving Kellan, crawls towards him.
I see when Kellan stands up that he’s shaking, and my heart clenches.
I wonder if there’s going to be a hole in a wall before we leave.
But, no. Kellan wouldn’t do that in front of the boys.
He’s going to head back the hallway that leads to the bedrooms, pack them bags, and we’re going to take them out of here.
What happens after that is anyone’s guess.
Kellan disappears into a bedroom, and I’m left alone with the boys. They’re pretending to watch television, but I can see their eyes darting around. Finally, Sammy turns his focus to me. “Do you play hockey with my brother?”
I sit down on the arm of the sofa so that I’m closer to eye-level with them. “We go to school together, but I’m not on the hockey team.” Talking to kids isn’t something I’d consider myself even close to an expert on, especially ones who’ve just gone through a traumatic experience.
Joey gives me an appraising stare, like he’s sizing me up. Which is sort of funny, coming from a seven-year-old, even if I can’t really appreciate it right now. “You look like you could play hockey.”
“I like to box. Like with a punching bag.”
Joey’s eyes light up. “Like MMA?”
“Sort of. I don’t usually box other people. And I don’t kick or anything. I just like to practice with my friend, Reed, and work on different techniques.”
“What’s a technique?” Sammy asks, looking at me, too.
Now, I have two sets of big, familiar-looking eyes trained on me.
I consider the question. I’m not sure if talking to them about hitting is a good idea or not, but I’m trying to go with my gut.
Boxing isn’t inherently bad, and neither is them knowing how to defend themselves.
“A technique is a way to do something. Like, there are different ways to bake a cake. Or different ways to play hockey. There are also different ways to throw a punch.”
“My brother punches people,” Sammy says seriously. “But he says that it’s allowed because sometimes it’s a part of hockey.”
Joey hops up and makes a motion with his hands, like he’s throwing something. “Both players have to drop their gloves.”
“Exactly,” I say, nodding along. “There are rules. And it’s not okay to hit someone when they don’t know it’s coming. And when you aren’t playing hockey, it’s usually never okay to hit people.”
Sammy considers my words and then holds the back of his hand out. “What about slapping?”
Disgust roils through my stomach. I know this question isn’t theoretical. “No slapping either. Especially if it’s an adult hurting a kid, like Kellan said. No one should hurt someone for making a mistake.”
Sammy’s voice grows sad. “I spilled Dad’s last beer. I opened it for him and everything but the can was cold, and I dropped it.”
“Definitely not an okay reason to hurt you. Ever.” My throat is dry, and I can’t imagine the idea of someone I’m supposed to trust inflicting physical pain on me. And Sammy’s so little. It’s just… unfathomable, even as I’m caught up in the middle of the reality that it does happen.
Kellan walks back into the living room, a kid-sized backpack hoisted over each shoulder that makes him look like a giant. “I’ve got some clothes, your toothbrushes, and your blankets. Anything else I’m forgetting?”
They shake their heads. I stand up, then, and run my hand along my jaw. I’m torn between wishing Rick would show up and hoping we get out of here before things have the chance to devolve. The kids seem okay, and that’s what’s important right now.
Kellan looks at his brothers. “Why don’t you both go to the bathroom before we leave.
” Sammy crawls off the sofa first, followed by Joey, and then we’re alone in the room.
“I can take them to my apartment. I sent a text to my mom while I was packing their stuff. They don’t usually let her have her phone at the restaurant, but I’m hoping she’ll check in soon.
I can figure out what happens after I talk to her.
” His voice is calm, but emotion is still warring on his face.
Gently, I run my hand along his cheek. He leans into it instead of pushing me away, and my heart feels like it could burst out of my chest. “This isn’t your fault, you know.”
Kellan makes a sound showing it’s clear that he doesn’t believe me. “I should have talked to my mom years ago. Told her the truth. I don’t know why, but I thought the fact that they were his biological kids would change something.”
My hand stills. I lean closer to make sure we aren’t overheard, even though I can hear the bathroom sink running. “Do you think this has happened before?”
Thankfully, he shakes his head. “I don’t think so. They called me, which means they know it’s wrong. I think that Rick is back but he doesn’t want to be, and he’s taking it out on everyone in his path.”
“What a fucking loser,” I say before I can stop myself.
“Look…” Kellan is staring at me now, like he’s not quite sure what to say.
His lips twitch. “I’m sorry today got so side-tracked.
Thank you for bringing me here. I thought I was going to have a meltdown when Joey called me, and having your support meant a lot.
” What he doesn’t realize is that I’d do anything for him.
Whatever he needs. Whenever he needs it.
It’s what you do for people you lo–people you care about.
You show up for them. I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else today.
I take one of the backpacks that he’s holding and sling it over my shoulder. “Usually meeting the family is like a committed relationship thing, but I’m always down to be flexible.”
Kellan smirks, and it feels so good to see him lighten, even for a second. “Sure. Mr. Go-with-the-flow is what they call you.”
“For something like this, always.” A moment passes between us, which is cut off when the boys appear in the living room.
“Does this mean we get to hang out with you today?” Sammy asks, already at Kellan’s side like a little shadow. He slips his hand in Kellan’s larger one.
Kellan looks at me. “I should probably get them back to my apartment, if it’s not too much trouble for you to give us a lift.”
I’ve never spent more than a few hours with kids, but I can’t stand the idea of leaving any of them for the rest of the day.
After everything that’s happened, I feel like I’m a part of this.
More than that, I want to be there for Kellan.
For him to not have to shoulder this burden alone.
And, it just so happens that my perfect date idea is wholesome fun for the whole family.
I lock eyes with Kellan again and give him a broad smile, my mind made up. “What if I have another idea?”