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“I never met your mother, Cal. But if Paxon thinks so, I’m inclined to believe him. From what I’ve seen and read about, a mother is someone who is there for you. She takes care of you when you’re sick. She makes sure you’re fed, clothed, healthy, happy. She may make mistakes, because she’s human, but she’s still there for you and fights to be there. She’s someone you’re comfortable talking to, someone you can trust and love. Giving birth to a child doesn’t automatically make someone a mother.”
“My mother was never there. She would leave for days at a time, and when she returned, she’d bring her friends. I didn’t like them, and they didn’t like me.”
Oh, no. I couldn’t hold back anymore. I let out a sob and pulled him into a hug, tucking my face into his hair, kissing his head and rubbing his back. He clung to me, his little body shaking with emotions I understood all too well.
What mother would neglect such a sweet little boy?
Chapter Twenty-Two
I held onto Calvin tightly, wishing I could take his pain away and knowing I couldn’t. He told me enough to understand what had happened when he lived with his mother, what made him fear women.
His mother was no mother at all.
Finally, he pulled back, and I reluctantly let him. All of me screamed to keep him in my arms, where I could keep him safe. His eyes were puffy, and he gave me a shy smile.
I kissed his forehead and smiled back at him.
“Ready to learn the rest of the song?” I asked.
He nodded and picked up his guitar. We continued, the song taking on a whole new meaning as I taught him. But he was determined and never backed away. He was such a good student.
We were just finishing up an hour later when my doorbell rang, the sound echoing through the house.
I frowned. What was with the unexpected visitors today? I picked up my neglected phone and realized I had missed calls and messages from Paxon and Seth.
Paxon:Did Calvin come over?
Seth:Have you seen Calvin?
Paxon:Please tell me Calvin is with you?
Sighing, I sent Calvin a playful glare. He looked at the phone, and then back at me, before smiling sheepishly. He knew exactly what he’d done, but I doubted he’d feel bad about it.
“Jig’s up,” I said. “Please tell me you told them where you were going before you came over.”
He looked down at his feet.
“Calvin.” I dragged out his name.
Finally, he said, “I left a note.”
“A note?”
“Yes.”
I sighed and ran a hand through my hair. “Come on. Five bucks says it’s your brother.”
We ran down the stairs and opened the door, and lo and behold, Paxon was on my front step, doing a little dance of nerves and fear.
His eyes raked over me and then down to his little brother.
“What the hell, Calvin?” he burst out before pulling his kid brother into a tight hug. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming over here? I thought you were upstairs in Seth’s library again.”
“Sorry,” Calvin whispered into his brother’s chest. “I just wanted to see Cadie.”
Paxon looked up at me and frowned. “Why the hell didn’t you answer your phone?”
It was my turn to give a sheepish smile. “I had it on silent.”
