“Nope,” Rus interrupted. “None of that. Unless she’s calling to apologize for your sister being an absolute trainwreck, or for using you for money, or to acknowledge she dropped the ball way too much, then what she has to say doesn’t matter.”
Kaiden gave Rus a soft smile. Rus leaned in close, huddling for warmth, but also offering Kaiden silent support. It was just the thing he needed to hit play on the unheard message.
“Hey, sweetie.” His mother’s voice sounded tired. “I hope wherever you are, you’re doing well. I’ve been worried sick about you lately.”
Kaiden fought the need to roll his eyes. She couldn’t have been that worried since no one noticed he moved out until rent was due.
“I went through the basement and found a few of your things,” she continued. “Some of your little dress-up kits.”
Dress-up kits? Yes, because that made it far less effeminate than wearing makeup. Kaiden tilted his head, still listening to his mother’s rambles, but trying to figure out what he’d left behind. He was certain he’d packed everything of importance. And while he hadn’t managed to sort through everything around the house just yet, he hadn’t noticed anything personal missing.
“Had a bit of a fall trying to lug it up those steps,” his mother said with a wince. “Those rickety stairs are so dangerous.”
Kaiden held his breath, waiting for his mother to add that she was okay. That she’d only stumbled a bit. That she hadn’t seriously injured herself checking in on him in the basement. Instead, she wished him well and explained she had his stuff in a box for when he wanted to grab it.
“I do hope you’re doing well, sweetie,” she said with a haggard breath. “I might have to go to the hospital, make sure nothing’s broken, but I will keep you updated. We miss you, baby.”
The voicemail ended, and Kaiden spiraled.
“What’s wrong?” Rus asked.
“My mom injured herself.” Kaiden scrambled to get inside. “I need to head over, get some stuff I forgot, and make sure she’s okay.”
“Whoa, what’s going on?” Dylan asked, completely oblivious to the balcony conversation.
“I have to head home—er, uh, I mean, my mom’s place,” Kaiden explained. “She had a fall, and I gotta get some things there.”
“We packed everything,” Dylan said, shaking his head slowly. “You did like three sweeps around the whole house to make sure we packed everything.”
“I know, but I missed something.” Kaiden frantically gathered his things and prepared to rush out the door.
“Calm down.” Rus intercepted him. “Relax, deep breath.”
“I’m fine, really.”
“You’re not,” Rus said. “Let us come with you.”
“No, because if Sandra is there and she sees you, she’ll probably start something.”
“If she sees you, she’ll start something,” Dylan said, stepping over to Kaiden and Rus. “She’s got a short fuse.”
“And so does Rus,” Kaiden added. “Maybe two explosive personalities shouldn’t be thrown together.”
“I’ll be on my best behavior, I swear.” Rus crossed his heart.
Kaiden relented, realizing it would be helpful to have company, especially since Sandra would definitely guilt him for Mom’s injury. Not that she needed to. Kaiden already beat himself up for not being there, for icing her out with everyone else in his family, for being so petty as to think she hadn’t checked in on him because she didn’t care. She had been fighting her own battle.
Dylan drove to Kaiden’s former residence, and the three of them stayed piled in the car for about fifteen minutes, until Kaiden finally worked up the nerve to step inside. With a boyfriend at either side of him, Kaiden mustered the strength to knock on the door.
“I fucking knew it.” Sandra swung the door wide open, hanging on the frame, and shooting her brother a dirty look.
Kaiden sheepishly went to step inside, hesitant to see if Sandra would block his entry. Instead, she sarcastically held out an arm like she was ushering him into a ballroom.
“What’d I say?” she called out to the living room, likely talking to her husband.
“Should’ve bet money on it, babe,” Tommy shouted over the noise of his video game.
“Of course, you hear you forgot some of your precious, pricey makeup, and you run back home as fast as you can.”
