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“Hey, buddy, I thought I’d surprise you. How would you like to spend some time together today?”
He tugged on my jacket, staring up at me with an eager smile on his face. “Can we play ball? And watch movies? And get ice cream?”
I glanced at Evan, who was watching me with a strange look on his face. But the tiny person attached to me broke the connection, and I grinned down at Eli. “Sure thing.”
“Ev, did you hear that?” He turned to his brother. “Becca is going to spend the whole day with us. That means she’s forgiven you.”
Evan let out a strained laugh. It was dry and throaty, and it affected me more than it should. His expression stilled, growing serious, and I changed the subject.
“Should I take him now?” I mouthed, waiting for his lead.
He dragged a hand over his face, and I saw the weight of the situation hanging over him. “Hey, buddy.” Scooping Eli up into his arms, he moved farther into the house. “Can you go and get your backpack and jacket, and let me talk to Becca, okay?”
I closed the door behind me, watching as Evan put Eli down and ruffled his hair. “Hurry, okay?”
When he disappeared into his room, Evan closed the space between us. “Becca, thank you. I—”
“It’s fine. Whatever you need.”
He nodded. “I have like twenty bucks.” Evan reached into his pocket and retrieved his wallet. “Here.”
“Evan, I have money. We’ll be fine. Is she… is she okay?”
At least thirty minutes had passed since he’d called me, so where was Ellen?
“She’s in her room, still sleeping. I checked in on her, and her face is a mess. She had a date, and things must have got out of hand.” Evan lowered his head, rubbing the back of his neck. I wanted to comfort him, to say something—anything—to take away the pain, but this was his life.
And I was still hurting.
“You should go and see to her. I’ll take Eli, and just call me when it’s okay to bring him back.”
He lifted his head, his eyes saying things I didn’t want to acknowledge.
Damn you, Evan. Damn your selfish mother for doing this.
Eli burst around the corner with a backpack stuffed full of the things kids his age needed, preventing things between Evan and me from getting any more awkward.
“I’m ready, Becca.” He held out his hand, and I slid my palm into his.
“Lead the way, little guy.”
I glanced back at Evan. He looked so lost, so torn. He was always looking out for Eli, for his mom, but who was looking out for him?
* * *
The morning passed by in a blur of hide and seek in the park, waffles and ice cream for breakfast, and then more hide and seek. Eli’s backpack was crammed with toys, which were now scattered around us as we sat on the grass.
“When I’m older, I want to be just like Chase. He’s strong and braves and always saves the day.” Eli bounced the figurine over my leg, making high pitched barking noises.
I smiled watching him play. He’d been easy company and happy to walk hand in hand as we moved from one activity to another. If he sensed something bad had happened to his mom, he didn’t show it.
Glancing at my watch, I said, “I bet Evan will be done soon.” It was almost noon, and we hadn’t heard anything yet. I didn’t like Ellen, but I hoped for the sake of the little boy sitting beside me that she was okay.
“Aww, man, I don’t wanna go back yet. I like hanging out with you.”
“I like hanging out with you too.” Eli paused, looking up at me through his thick lashes, and I said, “What are you thinking in that little head of yours?”
“I’m not supposed to tell.” He shook his head, mashing his lips together.
