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“I do love them.” There were tears in her eyes. “Dom thinks he has to be home to take care of me that is why he wants to be home by a certain time. He won’t leave them alone when I’m not there and he won’t leave
them with me when I am there.”
“Afraid you’ll OD?” She didn’t respond. “Do you know that he could go to college on a full athletic ride but he won’t talk to any colleges because he can’t leave you and his siblings?” She nodded. There were tears in Delilah’s eyes. “That’s a shame.” She nodded again.
“I have to get back to work Ronan. Thank you.”
“We’re here if you need us.” She nodded and went back inside the diner. I watched her until she was gone. Then I turned and went to my wife and mother standing by the truck. Opening the door, I let them both get settled, shut the door then went to my side and climbed behind the wheel.
Explaining what I assumed and what Delilah told me I was even more worried about the kids. She used her son as crutch to get through life. I could see that. She relied on him to be the parent and her support. Nothing made sense anymore. I was going to talk to Dom on Monday morning to try to get clarity.
Chapter 16
Nickolas and Maddie now went to either Skylar’s classroom or the farm to hang out when school let out for the day. They could do either. Then Dom picked them up there after practice.
When we were finished with practice, I asked him to take me to the farm. Skylar already left school taking his siblings with her. We were walking side by side to his car. “So Mom tells me we’re related,” he said.
“We’re cousins actually.”
“That’s cool.” He threw his gym bag in the trunk of the beat up Toyota.
“Who is the grandparents living in Florida?” I asked.
“Grandma Sylvia was married to my grandfather Tebo. I didn’t know him very well. He died young from a heart attack. She married her second husband who has the money and he moved her to Florida where they live now.”
“Ah,” I replied. That explained it. Step-grandparent didn’t want to be bothered with the kids and grandkids that aren’t his. “Your mom works hard,” I said.
He nodded but didn’t say anything else. “You know being an addict I recognize the signs.”
“She told me you talked to her about what happened to you, almost dying and shit,” he said.
“Man, I did die. Twice. Heart stopped. Quit breathing. Saw the bright light. Kissed my ass goodbye.”
He couldn’t help it, Dom laughed. He glanced across his small car at me. “She won’t get help Ronan.” He was shaking his head back and forth and his voice was low and soft. Dominick’s statement held all the hurt that those words caused him. “When I turn eighteen I’m taking my brother and sister and she’s on her own.” It was the first time he called me by my first name instead of Coach. “That is why my Dad left. He couldn’t pick her ass up off the floor anymore. I can’t do it anymore either.”
I got in the car when he did. “So he just left the three of you with her?”
“He did.” He stuck the keys in the ignition but he didn’t start the car right away. “I heard he was in Alaska working for BP. Has a new wife who doesn’t use and three more kids.” Another hurt-filled declaration.
“I’m sorry Dom.”
“Me too.” He started up the car. “Would it have hurt him to take us?” He asked keeping his head down.
“Why didn’t he?” I wondered out loud.
“He thought she would stay alive leaving us with her or at least that is what he told me. He didn’t think he could care for us by himself and work. Maddie was just a baby. Hell, he wasn’t even sure Madeline was his. She has been known to sleep around. My mother is sweet and kind but she is needy and has no self-esteem. Men pay her compliments. Give her drugs. She gives them sex. Her self-esteem issues are thanks to my grandmother.”
“I’m sorry.” I patted his shoulder and gave it a squeeze. This kid had more responsibility than he needed and more than he should.
“I guess I should be grateful Gran sends money to keep the roof over our heads when Mom uses too much and I can’t pay the bills or feed us.”
“Man, it shouldn’t fall on your shoulders.”
He was shaking his head. “Ronan, I want to go to college. I could make something of myself. I could play college ball but I can’t leave them.” Dom was getting choked up. “I can’t do to Nickolas what she’s done to me.”
“I know.” His words were weighing on me. I wanted to find a way to help him achieve his dreams.
“She’s an adult with a child’s mentality. She has no filters that tell her no or not to do something. She just never grew up.” He wiped his hand across his face.
