Chapter 56
CALLUM
Sorry Scusa Lo Siento - Pinguini Tattici Nucleari
He didn’t truly care what Alejandra said—she needed a doctor. Hauling a paddleboard into a stormy harbor and dragging his taid, wasn’t something she should’ve done with a still-recovering shoulder, especially just weeks after getting the sling off.
Now, waiting for her scan in the hospital, Callum sat in the waiting room next to his mam and taid, who had already been checked by a doctor and was more than fine. He had dozed off in the chair, while his mother sat beside him, visibly tense.
“It’s all my fault if her shoulder gets worse. It’s all my fault. I should’ve kept an eye on him. It’s always my fault. Why did he even go there?” his mam kept repeating.
“It’s not your fault,” he said softly, wrapping an arm around her. “It could’ve happened to anyone. You were having fun. You’re supposed to have fun.”
Tears streamed down her cheeks. “Why was he even there? Did he say something?”
“Alejandra said he kept calling nain’s name. Thought she was her. I don’t know what triggered it exactly,” he replied, running a hand through his damp hair, brushing it back.
“Will she be okay?”
“Her mood was good,” he said. “Let’s see what the doctors say.”
Then he sighed, hesitant. “I know this might not be the right moment. Maybe I should wait. But between what Vanessa said at the beach, and taid dropping something today that made me think… I need to ask.”
Hesitation was etched on her face. Panic even, but she prompted him to continue. “Sure, darling. You can ask me anything.”
“When I told taid about Alejandra being a surfer, he said something like a surfer like that asshole of your father, Mick.”
His mother’s face went pale. Her lips parted slightly. Then she inhaled, long and deep. “Alzheimer's is a terrible secret keeper.”
“Vanessa too, apparently.”
“I didn’t tell her anything, she found out by digging her nose into my past and probably asking that bitch of her mother.” His mam frowned. He couldn’t help but snort at her calling his ex-mother in law a bitch. But in reality, that woman had always been one.
Callum continued. “Why does it have to be a secret, mam? I’m thirty-five. Don’t you think it’s time I know who my father is?”
“Do you want to know?”
“It won’t change much,” he admitted, shrugging. “He could’ve found me in these thirty-five years. It’s not like I was hiding under a rock. But… yeah, I’d like to know. If you want to tell me.”
“You’re letting me choose?” She blinked, genuinely surprised.
“I love you. And I’d love to know. But I can’t force you to share something that could hurt you.”
“It’s been thirty-five years. I should be over him.” She sighed, her brown eyes fixed on an invisible point in the waiting area.
“Do you still care about him?”
“He was my first love,” she admitted. “I was fifteen. He was sixteen. Not much older, but back then it felt like a lifetime.”
“Wow. You were both so young,” he said quietly. “Does he know about me?”
“Yes. He helped pay your tuition up to Harvard. After that, there was no need.”
Callum blinked. “What? Are you serious? You kept in contact?”
“No. His lawyers did. Mick Turner was too busy chasing surf titles to stop by. But I have to admit, the money helped.”
“Alejandra knows about him. I met him in Ericeira a month ago. He… acted weirdly. He—” Callum tried to remember the exchange.
It hadn’t meant anything to him back then, but now, everything made sense—his utter panic, the excuse to leave.
He knew who he was by Callum introducing himself, and it must have been shocking to him.
“You did?” her eyes widened. “What did he do?”
“Run off.”
His mother chuckled, a very sad and dark laugh.
“Typical of him. Running away from his responsibilities.” Then, she added, “I met him when he was just a boy with big dreams. We fell madly in love and we just… we did that, and I got pregnant.” She covered her face with her hands.
“Not my proudest moment. I didn’t want to have an abortion, it didn’t feel right. ”
“How does he know about me?”
“I told him I had a son. Found a PO Box when he got famous and wrote a letter to him. He’s been sending money to my account ever since. Even when I told him we didn’t need it anymore, that you had a good job in London, he kept sending it. I offered him to meet you, I did…but he never wanted.”
“And why didn’t you ever tell me?”
She shook her head. “Because he never wanted to meet. Said it would mess up his prep, his mindset, his reputation. And I didn’t think you should know that a man who’s supposed to be your father didn’t want to see you. ”
Mick Turner. For what he remembered by the quick encounter, they didn’t seem to share much resemblance. Maybe he should be grateful for weak genes, it meant his mother didn’t have to look at someone she resented through him.
“So, no interest in talking to me?”
“He said it’s better to keep things separate.”
“Does he have a family?”
“Not that I know of.”
“I’m sorry, mam.” He sighed, then after a pause, “Can I ask something else?”
“Of course.”
“Why did you never marry? Or date seriously? Or introduce anyone to me?”
“I had flings, mostly after you left for uni, but nothing serious,” she admitted. “I preferred living life alone. No problems, no heartbreaks.”
“But love is good,” he said gently. “Rihannon told me you were scared I’d never fall in love again after Vanessa. Is that why?”
She gave him a sympathetic look. “Maybe.”
“There’s hope, mam. Have you seen Alejandra?”
“She’s perfect for you,” she said, without hesitation.
“No matter what Vanessa said before. That bitch has no idea. Alejandra is definitely not Mick Turner. And not all surfers should be falling under his category.” She sighed.
“But going back to my love life…I’m too old for this. And not interested in meeting men.”
“Whatever’s best for you.” He smiled, hugging her tight.
“I’m sorry I kept the truth from you.”
“It’s okay. I had taid, I had you. I had a great childhood. No need to apologize. If anything, I should be thanking you for giving me everything, even when we had nothing.”
She kissed his cheek. “You’ve grown into such a good man. I’m so proud of you.”
He held her close. She’d told him that before, but every time she did, something in his chest softened. Then Alejandra appeared, chatting with the doctor, her shoulder in a sling—again.
“I’m fine,” she said immediately. “It’s just a precaution.”
“Miss López did an amazing job saving your grandfather,” the doctor said, smiling warmly. “Her shoulder needs rest, but she’s strong, her muscles are helping a lot. Still, she should follow up with her specialist.”
“I guess I’ll have to make a quick stop to Seville and talk to Doctor Gonzalez for a check up.” Alejandra sighed, offering a sympathetic smile to the doctor as he waved them off.
“We’ll go,” Callum said, wrapping an arm around her shoulders—gently.
“Oh.” She smirked, “you coming with me?”
“Obviously. I’m the one carrying your boards or luggage, or whatever you need.”
She grinned, eyes dancing. “Let me show you the world, then, princess,” she sing-songed in a mock-Disney voice.
“You’re such an idiot,” he chuckled, kissing her hair.