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Catherine nodded, and I excused myself to call Mason.I stood in the kitchen willing him to answer my call.He was great about calling or texting whenever he could, but I knew that sometimes he wouldn’t be able to look at his phone.
This was a shitty time for that to happen.I shot him a quick text letting him know Catherine was there, and that she wanted to take him out.
Going back to the living room, I explained Mason must be in a meeting.“I’m sorry, but I’m not really comfortable letting Wyatt out without Mason knowing.I’m sure you understand, right?”
“That’s fine.I’m sorry we weren’t better prepared,” Gee responded, and I exhaled.“Maybe you’d be okay with joining us?”he suggested.Catherine gave him an angry stare.
Wyattlovedthe idea, immediately running circles around us.Nothing bad can happen if I join them, right?
As I got Wyatt ready to leave, he looked up at me and asked, “Are we going to see Eli?”
I felt the air leave the room.I ran my hand over the top of his head.“No, baby, remember?We can’t see Eli anymore.”
Wyatt’s little lip trembled, and my heart broke for him.I pulled him in close and he cuddled into me.“But I misses him,” Wyatt sniffled.
Catherine reached out to Wyatt, trying to bring him over for a hug.“I know, Wy.Mama misses him too.Come here.”
Wyatt shook his head and buried it in my chest.I could see the move break this woman’s heart.I felt terrible.Whatever her faults it was obvious that she and Wyatt loved each other and both of them were suffering from broken hearts.
She looked at Gee and whispered, “I need to go.”He nodded, taking her hand.
“Buddy, maybe we can come back and play tomorrow, yeah?”Gee asked.
Wyatt peeked out at him.“Maybe,” he agreed.
“We’ll let ourselves out,” Gee said leading Catherine to the door.
I continued to console Wyatt as he cried.This poor kid really missed Eli, and I was at a loss.Before she arrived,I knew if Eli came up it would be a difficult situation to navigate with Catherine being so upset, but I didn’t expect her to just leave like that.I was angry on Wyatt’s behalf.
Chapter12
Mason
Catherine arrived for dinner and Wyatt launched himself joyfully at his mom.Her visit the day before had not gone well, according to Candace, but she was right.Catherine looked strung out.I had seen her just days ago at dinner and she must have caked on makeup, while she looked like a grieving widow, she didn’t look like she had been on a month-long bender like she did today.
I didn’t want to believe that Catherine would show up like that to be with our son, but she’d been through the ringer with Eli and wasn’t acting like herself.Grief did that to people.Still, I looked at Sergio, who appeared sober, and wondered how in the hell he let her do this to herself.
Eli had a lot of misplaced faith in this motherfucker.
Dinner was tense.Catherine picked at the food on her plate, eating none of it.She fidgeted in her seat.A few times I caught her giving Candace the side eye.I ignored the urge to jump to Candace’s defense.That girl does shit to my brain.
When dinner ended, I sent Candace off to get Wyatt ready for bed so I could have a few minutes with Catherine without Wyatt being within earshot.“I don’t think this is going to work, Catherine.”I sipped my coffee.
“What won’t work?”she asked.
I looked at her.She was a disaster.“You need to get your shit together before you can see Wyatt,” I responded.
Catherine tensed, but Sergio stepped in, giving me a dirty look.“Who said she doesn’t have her shit together?”
“I wasn’t talking to you,” I spat.The fact he let her get this bad left an unpleasant taste in my mouth.
“Tough shit,” Sergio answered.
“Look, I’ve known Catherine her whole life.I know when she’s unstable.It’s not good for Wyatt.”
“I disagree,” Sergio replied through clenched teeth.
“Then why won’t you let her speak for herself?Look at her, Sergio.I thought Candace was being dramatic yesterday, but she’s a mess.”I pointed my finger at Catherine and waved it.
