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She started to cry. Isaiah took her hand in his. “Shh…don’t automatically jump to the worst conclusion,” he said in a calm voice. “He’s had a rough day. Think back to before you left for work? Did he say or do anything before you left?”
She sucked in a voice and thought back. “He said he was just going to hang out. I think he was texting his girlfriend.”
Isaiah’s eyes lit up. “His girlfriend.”
“What—what do you know?”
“He said earlier this morning that she was the only person who cared for him.”
“How could he think that?” Anger mixed with her worry. “Of course I care about him. I love him. I’m going to try and adopt him!”
“You told him that?”
Her shoulders slumped. Fresh tears popped up. “Not yet.”
Isaiah wiped her tears away. “He’s confused and worried right now. He thinks Denise isn’t obligated to care for him. I’d bet money that’s where he went.”
“Where does she live?” Angela jumped up from the chair. “Let’s go get him right now. If he’s not dead I’m going to kill him for scaring me.”
“I don’t know where she lives, but we can call Keri. She’ll have the registration for all the kids and might be able to give us a phone number if not an address once we explain what’s going on.”
Angela nodded. “Call her.”
Isaiah got on the phone and Angela bit her lip to keep from asking him to repeat everything Keri said. It took a bit of convincing, but Keri agreed to at least go to the office and pull a number for Denise’s parents.
“We’ll meet her at the center,” Angela said after he hung up.
“What if he comes back?” Isaiah said. “Someone should be here.”
Angela ran her fingers through her hair again. “Crap! This is why I’m going to make a terrible mother. I shouldn’t have left him home.”
“He’s almost fourteen. You didn’t do anything wrong to trust him.”
“I shouldn’t be working at night.”
“You provide for him by doing that. You’re not the only guardian that has to work at night. You’re doing everything you can to take care of Cory. Don’t beat yourself up.”
The door opened and Cory walked in. Angela ran over to him. “Cory, thank God!” She grasped his shoulders and looked him over from head to toe. No bruises, thankfully, but he had his book bag on his shoulder. She let him go and smacked his arm. “Where in the world have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”
“I’m sorry,” Cory said. “I thought… I wasn’t sure if I should stay?”
“So you were going to run away? Are you crazy? Why would you do that?”
Cory looked at the floor. “My dad’s in jail. My mom doesn’t want me. I’m just a burden on everyone. I can take care of myself.”
“So can I, but that doesn’t mean I can’t accept a little help sometimes from the people who love me. I love you, Cory.” His head shot up and surprise filled his eyes. “Don’t look shocked. It’s true. I want legal guardianship of you.”
“You do?” he sounded hopeful.
“Yes. I’m not going to leave you high and dry. We’ve made out pretty well this summer—no need to mess that up.”
The hope in his eyes faded. “What if my mom says no?”
“We’ll deal with that when we get in touch with her.” Angela doubted Heather would say no. Not after she dumped Cory off without a look back. “Even if she does, I’m not going to lose touch with you. I promised to take care of you and I mean it.” Tears ran down her face. She was so thankful he was safe.
Cory’s eyes widened at her tears. He shuffled his feet and touched her arm. “I’m sorry I scared you, Auntie. I don’t want to be your burden.”
Angela swiped the tears from her face. “You’re not a burden. I want you here. I love you.”
Cory’s eyes glittered. He lowered them and sniffed loudly through his nose. Angela pulled him into a hug. He hugged her back. “If you ever run away again I’m hunting you down so I can skin you.”
