“Car told me what happened today,” Caleb said gently. “How are you holding up?”
“I’m okay,” I said, keeping it simple.
Caleb gave a quiet laugh, one that was more sad than amused. “You know, after all these years knowing you, I still don’t get how you do it. Just keep everything bottled up.”
“It’s my thing.”
“Yeah, I know. But maybe... you need to let it out sometimes. Before it builds up too much and explodes, and when it does... it might be too hard to gather the pieces.”
I didn’t say anything to that, and Caleb knew me well enough to leave it there.
When we arrived, Anita’s door swung open almost immediately. She burst out onto the porch, a broad smile lighting up her face.
“See?” Caleb chuckled beside me. “She’s been waiting for you.”
I couldn’t help the grin that spread across my face, my whole body buzzing with warmth. I slid down from Betsy and walked toward her.
“Hey, Mama.” I only called her that when my heart was full of gratitude for her, just as it was now.
She opened her arms without a word, and I climbed the short steps and sank into her embrace.
And let out a long, contented sigh.
“Have you eaten yet?” she asked, still beaming. “I made chimichurri steak with mashed potatoes, your favorite. And butterscotch pudding for dessert, Harper’s favorite. I made her some spaghetti too... she’s still not too fond of steak.”
“I’d love that. Thank you,” I said, pulling gently away from her embrace.
We were just about to head inside when Cameron’s car pulled up.
“Anita,” I said softly, glancing at her as she looked toward her son’s car. “Let him in, will you? It’ll make Harper happy.”
She looked at me, then gave a slight nod before heading inside.
Caleb’s gaze flicked from Cameron, now stepping out of his car, then back to me. He offered a faint smile, then turned and went in without a word, leaving me standing alone on the porch.
I waited until Cameron reached me before I spoke. “Let’s have dinner together.”
The tension in his face eased, and he gave me a small, grateful smile. “Thank you,” he said softly.
I walked in first. He followed quietly.
Inside, Anita was leaning over the dinner table. Cameron went straight to her and wrapped his arms around her from behind.
“I love you, Mom,” I heard him whisper.
She only nodded and sniffled. I could see it—her heart was breaking. She missed him, too.
He let Anita go, then crossed the room to Harper. He knelt, pulling her into his arms like he’d been waiting all day for that moment. Harper immediately burst into chatter, animatedly recounting school stories, her hands moving as fast as her words.
Then she spotted me.
“Mommy!” she shrieked and ran over, wrapping her arms around my waist.
I kissed the top of her head, then her cheek, and whispered, “Who has my heart, baby?”
“I do!” she said, bouncing with excitement. “Me, Harper!”
“Yes, baby. Thank you.” I smiled, letting her go gently. “Go to your daddy, okay?”
