6
Selah
E dison slowly warms up to his uncle, and Beckett keeps the conversation light, asking more about his interests and favorite cartoon characters.
I mostly eat quietly while they chat, leaving them the space to get to know one another. Helen doesn't say anything throughout dinner, and keeps getting out her phone to check her messages. She doesn't seem very happy to be here, and I know that Beckett said that she is his assistant, but I wonder if that's all they really are.
Then I wonder why on earth I'm wondering.
When we finish eating, Beckett, and Edison both help me clear the table, while Helen goes outside to take a call. We work together to load the dishwasher and wipe down my small table, getting everything back into place.
I go to put away some trash, and when I turn my head I see Beckett staring at me. The way he's watching me makes me feel more than a bit self-conscious, so I do what I do best when I'm nervous.
Ramble like hell.
"So, you live in New York, right? That must be so amazing. I've never traveled there before. I haven't really traveled anywhere really. Just to a few places in the state. Redland, Verona-oh! And I've been down to the beach in Seabrook a few times. But not really out of state very far."
I finally catch myself and clamp my mouth shut, glancing back over at Beckett to see him leaning against the counter, giving me an amused look.
"I've lived in New York my whole life and I honestly don't travel a ton either. Especially now that I work so much, there isn’t much time to leave the city," he says, folding his arms over his chest.
"What do you do?" I ask, moving to wipe down the counters to keep myself busy.
"I own a technology and gaming company," he explains. "I'm mainly focusing on creating new apps right now."
I raise my eyebrows unable to hide my surprise. "Wow, you do?"
He smiles, and I almost die when a husky chuckle escapes him. "Is that so surprising, Selah?"
My eyes move to his tattooed hands, wondering once again where else he has them. "I've just never seen a Tech CEO with hand tats. They are normally a little more on the nerdy, or reserved side honestly. That's pretty cool," I admit.
His eyes shine with amusement as he nods slowly, "I admit the Tech industry isn't super diverse, but nobody gives a shit about how many tattoos you have once you're making millions, sweetheart. I promise you."
I clutch the towel in my hand, trying to disregard the way my stomach feels hearing him call me that name.
I clear my throat and set the towel down on the counter, just when Edison comes into the kitchen. He races over and wraps his arms around my waist, giving me a tight hug.
I think he knows what is about to happen next, and I frown, realizing that he is growing nervous again.
Beckett pushes off of the counter and looks down at his watch. "We better get going. I know he has school tomorrow, and I'd like to get him settled in at my rental."
Edison squeezes me tighter, not moving an inch. I know even though he seems to get along with Beckett that this is still strange for him. I rub his back and try to think of something that will help him calm down.
"Edi, how about we go get your backpack and Ruffy?" I suggest quietly.
He slowly lets go of me, then runs off to my guest bedroom without responding.
Beckett gives me a look, "Ruffy?" he asks.
"Oh! It's his stuffed dog. He said that he's had him since he was a baby. He doesn't leave him behind, even when he goes to school. You have to make sure you put it in his backpack," I explain, walking with him towards my guest room.
Beckett nods, "Anything else I should know?"
I think it over, trying to remember the other things I wanted to let him know, "He doesn't like sleeping in the dark. He says it gives him bad dreams. I ran out and got a night light from the hardware store for him yesterday, so I'll give that to you to take. He's not a picky eater, so pretty much whatever you give him he will eat, even though he's not too big on broccoli."
We both stop in the hallway outside of my guest room door, "Well neither am I. So that'll be fine," he responds, locking my eyes with his. "Thank you, Selah. I know that this situation is a gigantic clusterfuck, and you didn't sign up for any of this just by being his teacher."
I rub my arm, looking over at the door, "I was happy to do it, really. And if there's anything else that you need while you're here, please don't hesitate to ask me. I really care about Edison, and I know this has been an especially hard year for him," I offer.
"I have the feeling that none of his years have been easy. Unfortunately," he responds with a frown.
I sigh, then decide to ask the question I've been wondering since Sheriff Vaughn told me Beckett was coming. "How come you haven't met Edison before? Are you and Charlie not close?"
Beckett's face hardens and it makes my stomach twist. "No we definitely are not close. I didn't even know that Edison existed. And I have the feeling that if Charlie wasn't arrested, I may not have known for even longer," he explains, putting his hands into the pockets of his slacks.
I nod in understanding, realizing that their relationship is more complicated than I thought, "I'm sorry, Beckett. Hopefully you will have the chance to make up for lost time now."
We go inside and see Edison picking up his things. Beckett takes his backpack and a small bag that I let him borrow that has his clothes in it, while Edison grabs Ruffy, then leaves out of the room to the living room.
Beckett looks around my guest room with a sullen expression on his face, "This is it? He doesn't have any toys. Stuff to color with?" he asks.
I shake my head, "That was all he had in his old bedroom. I was planning on going to get him some things this weekend when I had more time. He has some coloring supplies and maze books I had here that I let him have," I explain, feeling bad that I didn't have the time to go shopping in Charlestown for more items he needed.
I thought the same thing when I packed up his few belongings to bring them to my house. I won't even dare to tell Beckett the condition of the house Edison was staying in with his father, or the fact that Edison was sleeping on a small mattress on the floor in his cluttered bedroom.
Beckett inhales a deep breath, calming his voice, "It's not your responsibility, Selah. It's just shocking that he only has one small bag of clothes and some items for school. I figured a kid his age would have toys, or games. Tons more Ninja Turtle clothes. Something . But I guess with the situation the way it was, I should have known better."
He steps closer to me until he is hovering right over me, his eyes piercing into mine, "I'm nothing like Charlie, Selah. I'm going to take good care of Edison. I promise. You understand that, right?"
I nod slowly and his eyes move over my face before he takes a step back from me, seemingly satisfied that I believe him. "Good," he says before heading out of the room.
I let out the breath I was holding being so close to him, swallowing hard. I walk out after him, heading to the living room where Edison is saying goodbye to my goldfish.
"I'll miss you, Willy! Be good," Edison says, waving at the fishbowl.
I smile at him, and Edison runs over to give me a big hug. I bend down and hug him back. "I'll see you tomorrow morning at school, ok? You will be just fine with your Uncle Beckett," I assure him.
"Ok," he whispers looking up at me, uncertainty still clear on his face. I rub his head, and he gives me a small smile.
We go to the front door, and Helen is on the other side of it still talking on the phone. She hurriedly gets off when she sees us. "Are you ready Sir?" she asks Beckett, and he nods.
"Yes, let's head out," he says, turning back to me. "Thank you again, Selah. Have a good night."
"You too," I say, stepping out onto the porch with them.
I wave goodbye as they head down the steps, Beckett holding Edison's hand in his, Edison's small backpack slung over his large shoulder.
They both turn back to look at me when they reach the SUV, and my heart jumps as we look at each other. They all get into the car, and I watch them drive away before going back inside and closing the door behind me.
I go into my living room and sit down on the couch, the house feeling strangely silent.
I'm used to living alone, I've been on my own since I was seventeen and have only ever lived with one boyfriend for just two years before we broke up.
But somehow being home alone now that they are gone feels uncommonly empty.