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“He feels you treat him like a baby, but he’s also worried about being a burden to you.”
“What? I don’t treat him like a baby.” That got her attention off of inappropriate things. Sure, she wasn’t ready to let him stay home alone, but that’s because he was still a kid. She’d give all her savings to find out where the burden idea had come from? She’d done everything she could to make Cory feel welcome. She didn’t want him to be as uncomfortable in her house as she’d felt with her aunt.
“He thinks he’s old enough to stay home alone, but I understand why you would hesitate. Honestly, I think his real issue is that he doesn’t know how to help out. He said you’re trying very hard to make him comfortable, but he knows you’ve given up a lot for him.”
“I never once said anything to him about that.”
Isaiah placed his hand on her arm. It was a comforting gesture that also made her very aware of the softness of his fingertips against her skin. “He didn’t say you had. He’s afraid you’re hiding how you really feel and one day you’ll snap and kick him out.”
Angela sank onto the bench. Her purse hit the floor with a thud. “Of course I would never kick him out. Crap, I don’t know what I’m doing.”
Isaiah dropped his foot, straddling the bench to face her. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just thought you’d want to know.”
Angela took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her hair. “I do. It’s just so difficult. This situation with Cory is new for both of us. I never expected to be a parent. Now I’ve got a thirteen-year-old boy to watch out for.”
“Boys are easy. Feed him, listen when he decides to talk and don’t press him too hard.”
Obviously it wasn’t that easy if Cory worried she’d kick him out one day. What had she done wrong? Had she unconsciously shown him how hard a time she was having in adjusting? Her stomach twisted. “No matter how much of a challenge this is, I would never kick him out. He’s not a burden and I don’t want him to think he is. My aunt took me in at thirteen and she made life miserable for me and my brother—Cory’s dad. I’m not like her.” The words came out with a vehemence she felt deep in her soul. No way would she allow herself to become as cruel as her aunt had been.
“How long will Cory be with you? Is your brother—”
“My brother is in jail.”
She wasn’t looking at him but she felt his discomfort. Saw the way he reached for her, then pulled back. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. That’s what happens when you think you are some type of big-shot embezzler, but you’re really just a petty thief. Cory’s mom is in New York trying her hand at a career on the stage. She said Cory would be in the way and dropped him off with me.”
“You took him in without hesitation?”
Her gaze lifted to his. “Of course. He’s my nephew. No one deserves to feel unwanted.”
He didn’t look as if he doubted her. If anything, the light in his eyes said her quick reply impressed him. “Maybe just chill a little. He appreciates you, but he can sense if you’re trying too hard to be happy. That in turn makes him feel like a little kid that can’t do anything to help. If he’s like I was, he’s going to want to help where he can. Let him see that you’re trying to make him comfortable, but be real when things get tough. When he tries to step in and help, if it makes sense, let him. You guys are a team right now.”
Isaiah was right. She wasn’t used to accepting help, but when she’d been in the similar situation she’d wanted to help her aunt out. To try to be as good as she could to keep her aunt from yelling and accusing them of making her life miserable. Though she’d never be that cruel to Cory, he probably wanted to lessen any feelings he had of imposing on her just the same.
“I’ll think about what you said. I am trying hard to not make Cory uncomfortable. Has everything been easy since he moved in? No, but I won’t let him know that. I try to focus on the good in a situation. Complaining changes nothing and helps no one.”
