9
Beckett
I sit in a chair close to Selah so that I can explain the situation to her without the risk of Edison somehow hearing us.
"What's going on? Did you get some news about Edison's mom?" she asks quietly.
I give her a shorter, less detailed account of what Antonio told me earlier today. Her face goes from concerned, to stunned the further along into the story I get. She holds a hand over her heart, her eyes glossing over with tears when I'm finished.
We both look over at Edison who is lost in his game, completely unaware of the serious conversation we are having about how his life has changed indefinitely.
I reach over to the box of tissues on her desk and hand her one. She dabs at her eyes, and murmurs, " thank you ", trying to compose herself.
"My goodness. I'm so, so sorry Beckett," she whispers, her voice wavering. "I was really hoping for a better outcome than this."
"I was too. I'm going to need to talk to Edison about this, Selah. And this is not my wheelhouse. Not in the slightest," I explain, leaning over and placing my elbows on my thighs. I run both hands through my hair, feeling the exhaustion of the past few days hitting me. I get lost in my thoughts until her soft voice breaks through my frustration.
"Can I be there when you tell him?"
I look up at her, feeling relief flood over me, "I'd love it if you could be there. He trusts you, and you know him better than anyone else does, Selah. Could you come by this evening while I speak to him?" I ask gratefully.
"Of course. Yes," she agrees without hesitation.
"Uncle Beckett! I got a new high score!"
We both turn to see Edison smiling proudly over at us, the headphones that are a bit too big for him still on his dark, ruffled hair.
Something in my gut twists seeing the innocent, cheerful expression on his face. Everything is changing for him but he still finds joy in the simplest things. I could learn a lot from this kid.
Part of me envies his optimism, wondering if I ever really had that. I do realize right then that I want him to keep him just this happy and innocent, even if it means making a few sacrifices in my life for now.
"Did you?" I ask, getting up and going over to see him.
I study the computer, seeing his score. "That's awesome, Edison. Great job," I say, putting my hand on his shoulder. "How about you go get your bag and we can head back to the cabin, ok?"
"Ok," he agrees, taking off his headphones and running over to the cubby area.
Selah comes over to me, wringing her hands anxiously. I can tell that the bad news is weighing on her, and part of me feels like an asshole for dragging her further into this mess. But I know how much Edison cares for her, and having her help is essential right now.
"Thank you again, Selah. I'll see you tonight. Will around 6 o'clock work for you?" I ask.
"That will be just fine," she responds, giving me a tender smile.
"Alright then," I say, going over to get Edison, and heading out the door.
When we get to the car, I make sure that Edison is buckled in correctly, then call Helen as I get in my seat and start the car. She answers on the first ring, as always.
"Hello Sir, I was just going to call you. Is this about the email from our accounting firm? They are really adamant on getting a new date rescheduled to have your monthly meeting," she answers, getting straight to business.
"No it's not about that, Helen. I need you to pick up some things for me from that grocery store, Reece's. I want to make dinner for all of us tonight," I say, turning out of the school parking lot and heading to the cabin.
"Dinner? For.. you to cook?" she questions, sounding confused.
"Yes Helen. For me to cook. Me man. Me use stove and oven. That isn't such an abstract concept, is it?" I ask sarcastically. "Edison's teacher is going to be coming over for dinner, and I want to make something to return her hospitality to us."
"She is?!" Edison chimes in from the back seat.
I look in my rearview mirror, forgetting what strong hearing children have when the topic is none of their business. "Yeah, little man. She is coming over," I answer, focusing back on the road.
"Alright," Helen responds, on the other end of the phone. "I have a pen and paper ready. Just give me your list, Sir."
◆◆◆
Twenty minutes later, I'm sitting with Edison in my makeshift office at the dining room table. He's having a snack while I help him with an activity packet that Selah put in his backpack for him to complete.
Most of it is very basic math, but I'm surprised to see a bunch of sight word practice and other reading assignments.
"I can't believe you are doing all of this in kindergarten. When I did Kinder we were barely learning the alphabet, and kids were still eating crayons," I say, shaking my head. "And that was at a private school."
"Eww," Edison laughs, continuing to write.
He puts his pencil down, his mouth dropping into a frown, "I'm not as good as the other kids with my writing, and I was behind with my homework until Ms. Selah helped me," he admits sadly.
I sit back in my chair, "Well we will get you caught up to the other kids level. When you're done with this assignment you can play on the new tablet I have for you. I have a bunch of learning games on there that I downloaded that will help you out."
He taps his pencil against the table, "I don't know how to use a tablet. I only ever played games at school on Ms. Selah's computers," he says.
"You've never had a tablet, or gaming system?" I ask.
"No," he responds, looking suddenly uneasy. "I..had an X-Box once at my house. But my dad took it when I was at school one day, and I never saw it again. I don't know why."
Of course.
I can use my imagination to guess where that was sold to, and for what.
"Well you have your own tablet now. And no one will take it from you. I promise," I assure him.
We finish up his work and snack, then I show him the basics of using his tablet. I gave him one of our easier to navigate models that I had overnighted from my New York office. He picks it up pretty quickly, and finds a game that he can follow along with to work on his reading.
Helen comes over with the groceries I asked for, and I have Dragana sit with Edison while I go prep dinner. I decided to make pesto chicken, which is the quickest thing I could put together that I knew I didn't have to worry about burning down the kitchen preparing.
It takes me a little while to orient myself in the rental's kitchen, trying to find the pots and pans that I need. I pour myself a glass of wine and turn on some music as I start to prepare the chicken. I season it and start to get the pasta together while I get into a good rhythm.
When the food is done I go to check on Edison then change into a different outfit. I try to convince myself it's because my shirt is a bit messy from the long day, but really I just want to make sure that I look put together for Selah.
At 5:55 the doorbell rings, and I go to answer it, quickly looking around one more time to make sure that the house looks in order.
Selah stands on the other side of the door wearing a long purple dress and sandals. Her hair is loose from the bun it was in earlier, and her beautiful curls are on display. She’s holding a plate of cookies in her hands that are wrapped in plastic.
The words I was about to say drift from my mind as I feel the same foreign spark run between us as I stare at her.
"Beckett?" she asks quietly, shifting on her feet.
I clear my throat, shaking my head and stepping back to let her inside.
"Come in sweetheart."