“I’ll have Mason get your bags.” She came around and hurried up the front steps. Sarina got the door and waved for Sky to come in. “I’m home and look what I’ve brought with me!” she called, smiling back at Sky as she tossed her keys and purse on a table by the door, then took the pizzas from him.
“Mommy!” a little boy cheered as he came streaking down the hall but laughed and changed course. “Uncle Sky!” He picked up speed and crashed into Sky’s legs, hugging them tight.
“This can’t be my Sam!” Sky lifted Sam and held him up so he could inspect the giggling boy. “You were just a little bean the last time I saw you.”
“I’mbig! I'm gonna be four!” Sam declared.
“Are you?” It took Sky a moment, he had to work the catch out of his voice. He regretted missing so much of Sam’s life and wished there was a way he could have been more presentwithout having to see Sarina and Mason. “That means you owe me four big hugs.”
“Okay!” Sam wound his arms around Sky’s neck and laughed as he squeezed four times.
The utter joy and Sam’s excitement was quickly making up for Sky’s dread and resentment. “I love you so much, Little Sam. Do you know that?” Sky whispered as he hugged Sam tighter, avoiding Sarina’s tearful smile. He was doing his best not to acknowledge Mason, hovering a few feet away.
“Welcome back, Sky. It’s really good to see you.” Mason offered him a quick wave.
“Hey! I’m starving,” Sky said to Sam. “Want to see if we can eat a whole cheese pizza by ourselves?” he asked him as he passed Mason and headed past the stairs and down a short hallway. “There’s the kitchen!” he said when they found it, making Sam giggle again. “Let’s find some plates.”
“Over there!” Sam pointed at a row of cabinets to the left of the wide, white farmhouse sink. The kitchen was white and modern but still cozy with a large butcher block island and floor-to-ceiling glass doors that opened onto a wide deck with a beautiful view of the beach.
Sky did his best to ignore Sarina and Mason as he chatted up his nephew over slices of pizza and glasses of fruit punch. There was also beer and wine for the adults but Sky thought it was cool that he and Sam loved the exact same brand of fruit punch and passed on the alcohol. After dinner, Sky got a tour of Sam’s room and all of his favorite books and toys.
“Bath time, Sammy,” Mason said as he leaned into Sam’s room, looking apologetic.
Sam pushed out his lip. “Do I have to? I want to stay with Sky.” he said and looked to Sky for support.
“Buddy…” Mason planted his hands on his hips, preparing to reason with him but Sky decided to help him out.
“Is that the time?” Sky checked his watch, then yawned loudly. “I better get unpacked so I can take a bath and go to bed. I’m pretty beat!”
“Me too,” Sam decided and went to pick out his pajamas. He gave Sky another hug and a goodnight kiss before following Mason.
In the hallway, Sarina was waiting to show Sky to his room. It was just across from Sam’s and he could hear the little boy splashing in the bathroom and asking Mason questions about Sky and their plans for the next day.
“He’s so great,” Sky said, mostly to himself.
“He’s pretty awesome,” Sarina agreed as she turned on the lamp and went to the closet and flicked a switch. She peeked inside and nodded before turning back to him. “Need help?” She gestured at Sky’s suitcase and backpack. They had been left at the foot of the bed and Sky noted that the white duvet had been turned down and a bag of fruit snacks was resting on the pillow.
“No thanks. I don’t need you to hold my hand and you don’t have to hover. Just go about your evening and forget I’m here. I won’t be any trouble and I’ll stay out of your hair,” Sky said but her shoulder bounced as she scanned the room.
“It’s no trouble at all and this is long overdue. Right?” She flashed him a smile but Sky winced.
“We could probably let this go for another five to ten years. I don’t mind.” He unzipped his bag and grabbed a handful of socks and underwear.
“Sky…” She sighed as she lowered onto the corner of the bed. “I’ve missed you and a day hasn’t gone by where I haven’t hated myself for the things I said and for how much this has hurt you. It’s been lonely without you here and I wish I could take it all back.”
“You aren’t alone, you have Mason and Sam. Remember?”
“What about you?” Sarina countered, making Sky laugh.
“Neither of you know a thing about my life, but it sounds like you’ve decided I’m lonely.”
“Do you have someone?” Her voice rose hopefully. She wanted to reconnect so badly and Sky suspected she had been curious as well. “What’s your life been like in the big city?”
“I don’t know… Busy.” He went to the tall dresser and pulled open the small top drawer on the left and frowned. It was already full of socks and boxers. He opened the drawer under it and found neatly folded pajama pants and joggers. “Um…” Sky turned, raising a brow at Sarina. “Is someone already staying in here?”
“What? No!” She laughed as she popped to her feet, her face red as she hurried to the dresser. “These are just…extras,” she finally said weakly. “In case you didn’t pack enough stuff.”
“In case?” Sky turned back to the dresser. “Nobody knew I was staying here until Mom told us.”
