I studied him. The desperation. The sincerity.
“Fine,” I said finally. “But it’s temporary. And it’s in my name.”
“Done.”
Silence settled again.
Then he spoke, quieter. “I’m checking into rehab tomorrow. Thirty days. After that… outpatient. Meetings. Sponsor. The whole thing. I’m not asking you to wait. I just need you to know I’m doing it. For real this time.”
I nodded once. “I’m glad.”
Asher fussed. Cal rocked him gently. “I love you both,” he said. “Even if you never love me back the same way again.”
Before I could answer, there was a soft knock.
Eli poked his head in, hair messy, backpack slung over one shoulder. Zariah must’ve brought him after school.
“Hey,” he said shyly.
Cal looked up, surprised. “Hey, kid.”
Eli came in slowly. Stopped at the foot of the bed. Stared at Asher.
“Is that him?”
“Yeah,” I said, smiling. “Meet your nephew. Asher.”
Eli leaned closer. “He’s tiny.”
“Wanna hold him?” Cal asked gently.
Eli glanced at me. I nodded.
Cal transferred Asher carefully into Eli’s arms. Eli held him like he was made of glass, stiff at first, then relaxing as Asher settled.
“He’s warm,” Eli said, awed.
Cal watched them, eyes shining. “You’re gonna be the cool uncle.”
Eli’s cheeks pinked. “I… uh… I have a girlfriend.”
I blinked. Cal froze.
“What?” I asked.
“Her name’s Maya. She’s in my robotics club. She’s really smart. She likes my circuits.”
Cal laughed softly.... first real laugh I’d heard in days. “Look at you. Moving fast.”
Eli shrugged, still staring at Asher. “She wants to meet the baby. I told her maybe later.”
I reached over, squeezed Eli’s arm. “We’d love that.”
Eli handed Asher back to Cal carefully. Then looked between us...serious now.
“Are you guys… getting divorced?”
The room went still.
