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“I’m sorry, bud, but I do. But listen, I wrapped a present for you before I left. Your dad will make sure he gives it to you when you open them all.”
Tears fill his eyes as Theo tilts his head and frowns. “But I want you to be here when I open it.”
Hannah sighs. “I wish I could be there. I’m really sad that I’m not.”
“Why couldn’t you come home for my birthday?” he asks, and the tears are replaced by anger for the first time.
This feels like the right time for me to step in. “Buddy, you know why. Your mom is on the other side of the world with a bunch of people who really need her help.”
We talked about this last week when he asked whether Hannah would be here or not for the party.
“But I want Mommy here. I miss her! I need her!” he yells.
“I’m sorry I can’t be there, Theo. I really wish I could.” Hannah tries to console him from over the phone, but this is a side of Theo I’ve never seen before.
Who am I kidding? We’ve been watching this pot boil for a long time. Why didn’t we predict it would boil over one day?
“No, you don’t or you’d be here!” He tosses the phone into the grass and races into the house.
“Shit,” I mumble, bending to pick up the phone from the grass. I hold it up in front of me and Hannah’s head is in her hands. She’s crying uncontrollably. “Don’t cry, Hannah. He didn’t mean it.”
“I should be there with him. I thought I could handle it, but I can’t believe I’m missing his birthday.” She wipes the wetness under her eyes.
“He’ll have more. He’s just been missing you a lot lately, and he was up late last night and up early today because he was excited for his party. He’s just tired.”
She shakes her head as though none of that means anything. “He hates me.”
“He doesn’t hate you. Give us a call tomorrow when you can, and I promise he’ll be back to his usual happy self when you talk to him.”
“All right. Thanks, Brady. Make sure to tell him I love him.”
I nod. “Will do. Talk to you tomorrow.”
I hit End Call and blow out a breath, pushing a hand through my hair. Shoving my phone in my back pocket, I head inside in search of Theo. A quick search of the main level comes up empty, so I head upstairs, thinking he’s probably gone to his room.
I hear Violet before I see her. “Your mom loves you so much, Theo. If she could be here, she would.”
Theo’s sniffles are like a dagger to the heart.
I come to a stop beside the door and lean in so I can see inside. Violet is lying on the bed facing away from me and she has her arms around Theo, who is rolled into her chest, holding on for dear life. He mumbles something I can’t make out.
“You should be so proud of your mom, Theo. Do you know how selfless and brave she’s being, helping all those people who don’t have anywhere to live right now?”
He pulls back from her a bit and looks up at her. “Why don’t they have anywhere to live?”
“Where they live isn’t safe anymore, so they had to go to a different country. Your mom is making sure they’re healthy. She’s helping little kids like you.”
“I know, but it’s my birthday.”
Violet nods and rubs his back. “I know and it’s a huge sacrifice you’re making, but she’s pretty special if you ask me. And I know she’s just as upset as you.”
God, this fucking woman is a saint. My chest is about to burst right now watching her console my son.
“I miss her.” Theo cries again.
“I know you do, sweetie. Of course you do. She misses you too, but we’re halfway through her time being away. You can be brave and do another half, right?” She looks at him, and he nods reluctantly.
“I didn’t say bye to my mom when she called.” Theo looks as though he might cry again.
