I sigh and pull out of LaSalle’s embrace to head to the door. When I crack it open, big gray eyes are staring back at me. My handsome boy looks back at me with so much concern.
“Hey, Sammy, what’s up?”
He doesn’t say a word. Instead, he wraps his arms around me and holds me tight. I return the embrace, not sure what’s happening.
“Is everything okay?” I ask.
“It will be. You should get dressed. I’m paying for you to have a spa day.
“Then tonight, you and Dad can have dinner on me. I already called the grandparents to ask if we could all sleep over. Maldonado will take us in the SUV. I promise not to come back tonight,” he says.
“What?”
“What’s going on, son?” Lasalle asks as he comes up behind me and wraps his arms around my waist from behind.
“You and Mom can take tonight to plan the family trip. You both need a break. I will pay for it because all your stress and worries are because of me.”
“Sammy—”
“No, Mom. It is because of me. You have other things going on, but I’m on your mind most of the time.
“Let me do this. I promise you it will be worth it.”
I release a heavy breath and pull this sweet child into me. He’s not wrong, but he’s not entirely right either. Sammy is on my mind most of the time, but there is so much more going on. However, the sincerity in his voice melts my heart.
“Thank you. I appreciate you, honey, but I don’t want you to worry about me.”
“You’re my mom. We need you. You and Dad are doing your best.
“I’m only doing what you would do for all of us. If you are empty, there will be no one to fill us up when we need it. I love you guys.”
“We love you too,” I choke out.
“Come take a walk with me, son. We’ll let your mother get ready.”
“Okay. Have fun, Mom. Try to relax,” Sammy says with a smile as he hugs me one more time before he leaves.
I’m left standing once again in awe of our son. Where did our baby go? As I look after him and my husband, I begin to find my strength again. They need me.
LaSalle
I’m soproud of my son. He is earning more and more of my respect each day. I respect the man I’m watching him grow into.
His mind works so differently from everyone else’s. There is a deeper level of thought and compassion to his actions. I’m beginning to understand that not only does Sammy see the future, but he has a heart to change the things in his power to. If it’s going to hurt someone he cares about, he’s going to intervene. I can’t help thinking back to that night when he told me he saved that guy for me because he knew I would need it.
“Did I do something wrong, Dad?”
I come out of my thoughts and look down at my son. He’s getting so tall, and he looks so much like me. I smile and turn to fully face him, placing a hand on his shoulder and giving it a gentle squeeze.
“No, you have done nothing wrong, Sammy. I’m very proud of you. You’re growing up to be such a good man.”
He gives me a smile. “Thanks, Dad. I’m only following in your footsteps.”
I chuckle. “No, I think you will be far greater than me. What you just did for your mother … that was … she needed that andI’m proud of you for thinking of her and how to pour back into her.
“You are smart, brave, and thoughtful. I don’t ever want you to change who you are. When you are you, you are at your best,” I say as he gives me his eyes.
I remember there was a time when that was so hard for him. Over the years, he’s been able to connect with me more. I have a special bond with this son. Not that I don’t love them all.
