Chapter Nineteen #2
Some of us weren’t kids at all , but Apollo kept that thought to himself. “You can teach us what it’s like to see the world through the eyes of a person who’s younger than us. Don’t you think that would be so much fun, if you wanted to share that with us?”
Apollo could see the longing in the little boy’s eyes, but he could feel the hesitation too. “I’m scared,” Cassius admitted at last.
“I understand.” Apollo nodded. “But do you remember when you said that you could see me glow?”
“I know I’m not allowed to tell anybody,” Cassius said quickly. “Mom was very strict about that.”
Apollo wondered what other glowing beings Cassius had seen, but that was a question for another time.
“The thing is, that glow means something really special, but for now all you need to know is that if you need anything, you tell us, if you want anything, you tell us. Whatever you don’t understand, if you talk to us, we’ll work it out.
No matter what, Titus will always protect you. ”
“But what about you?” Cassius asked. “Won’t you protect me, too?”
“Oh, definitely. But Titus is the protective one in our family,” Apollo giggled.
“I’m the one who likes having picnics on the bed or who builds forts in the living room.
” Actually, Apollo had never done that. He knew it involved sheets and blankets being draped over furniture – he remembered an older lady telling him about it when he was helping out at an art gallery one time a few years before.
“Your father is about business and getting things done. I love music, art, and walking in nature. I’m a bit dreamy sometimes, so if you see me just wandering off, or if I’m sitting there with a funny expression on my face…
” he pulled a face and Cassius actually laughed.
That sound alone warmed Apollo’s heart. “If I ever do that, just come and tap me on the arm. You can remind me I’m in the real world because I forget that sometimes. ”
“That does sound like fun.” But then Cassius’s face became sad again. “What’s gonna happen to me?” he asked. “No one will tell me what happened to Mom and Brian. They just brought me here and told me my dad was coming to pick me up.”
Apollo noticed that Cassius called Lorna’s bond-mate by name. Did Lorna tell her bond-mate that Titus was Cassius’s father all this time? What possible reason could she have given for not being with him then? Those, too, were questions for another day. Cassius deserved an honest answer.
“I’m not sure what happened exactly, but I think there was a horrible accident. Unfortunately, your mom and Brian are both dead.” There was no point in sugarcoating it. Cassius was going to learn about it soon enough, and he deserved the truth.
“Your dad is trying to find out what happened now – that’s why he’s out there talking to those men when he’d rather be in here with you.
But the important thing for you to remember is that for as long as you want, you’ll have a home with us.
You’ll have your own room in my house,” Apollo pointed at his picture.
“Probably this one right here.” He tapped the upper-story window.
“You can live with us. I know you’ll miss your mom, and that’s perfectly okay.
It’ll take a bit of an adjustment as we all get to know each other, but you won’t be alone. ”
Apollo had another thought. “Did you know that your dad drives trucks? Those great big ones with the pretty pictures painted on the sides? Have you seen any of them before?”
“I have.” Cassius seemed excited about that. “That could be a lot of fun. Do you think he’d let me see it, or maybe even sit in the truck and toot the horn?”
“I know if you asked, he’d probably take you on a trip in the truck,” Apollo said. “Whatever you want. All you have to do is ask. We’re not mind readers, so we might not know what you want, but if you ask, we’ll do our best to make it happen for you, no matter what it is. All right?”
Cassius made a point of looking around the room. Then he glanced at Titus through the glass, and then at the other two men who were standing with him. Then he wiggled his chair, so it was right next to Apollo’s before leaning against Apollo’s shoulder.
“You said I could ask for anything, so can we get out of here, please? This place doesn’t feel right. It makes my skin crawl. I’d love it if we could leave here and have a burger and a Coke. I haven’t had that for the longest time.”
“I’m sure we can do that,” Apollo said. “Have you finished your picture?” He reached over, pulling it closer to them, without dislodging Cassius from his arm.
Cassius nodded. “It’s change,” he said, putting his hand flat against the crayon marks.
“This is all the change – the scary bits in darker colors, and the flashes of light that shine through. Look.” He pointed to a yellow bit in the corner that he’d ringed in purple. “That’s where you and Dad came in.”
“It changes the whole tone of the picture, doesn’t it?
Makes it brighter and less scary somehow.
Change can be scary, but it’s not all bad.
My life changed in a big way when I met your dad, and every part of that has been positive – especially meeting you.
Titus and I will make sure we do our darndest to make sure that all the changes going forward for you are positive ones. ”
“Do you promise?” Cassius asked.
“You have my word.” Apollo agreed. He noticed Cassius’s eyes were semi-closing, and the boy yawned. Those are not vampire teeth , Apollo thought, but maybe they don’t come in until he’s grown up .
“Come here,” he said, giving in to his instincts and opening his arms. Cassius hesitated for just one moment, and then he climbed up onto Apollo’s lap, nestling his head into Apollo’s shoulder.
The boy was so small, so thin, but as Apollo took him into his arms, he knew that there wasn’t anything with their new son that a couple of decent meals and some fresh air wouldn’t fix.
“You just rest,” Apollo said. “I’ll watch over you until it’s time for burgers.
I promise we’ll get you some of them as soon as we leave here. ”
Looking up, Apollo saw Titus’s huge smile – he was looking right at him. As though it was a signal, Titus slapped the detective on the shoulder and then shook his hand, before quietly coming into the room.
“We’re all set,” he said softly. “Are you two all right? Ready to go?”
“I’ve promised our son burgers,” Apollo said, standing up with Cassius still in his arms. “Can we do that before we zap off anywhere else?”
“Steak, fish, or chicken?” Titus came over, slipping his arm around Apollo’s waist as he smiled at Cassius. “I’m Titus, so you can call me that or Dad. Whatever suits you best. I’m so pleased to finally meet you.”
Cassius blinked and then blinked again. “Fish burgers, please, Dad, and don’t forget the Coke. I’d really love a Coke, if that’s all right.”
“Sounds like a celebration,” Titus said as he urged Apollo across the room.
“He’s purple,” Cassius whispered. “Really bright, bright purple.”
“That’s because he’s really pleased to see you,” Apollo murmured. “Really, really pleased.”
“That’s good. Mom said he would be. I’m glad she was right.” Cassius relaxed back in Apollo’s arms, and Apollo shielded his face from the curious onlookers as they left the police station.