Page 181 of In the Air Tonight

“I am, honey. Don’t worry about me.”

“We miss you.”

“I miss you, too. But keep those letters coming.”

“I’ve saved all the ones you’ve sent me,” Elise says.

“That’s very sweet.”

Miles hugs me last.

“Love you, buddy. More than anything in this world.”

“Love you, too, Dad. I can’t wait for you to come home.”

I hope he knows I won’t be coming back to his home, but I’ll be somewhere close by where I can see them far more often than I do now. That’s my hope anyway.”

The door opens, and the guard tells the kids it’s time to go.

When they hug me again, the girls are tearful, but Miles is stoic as always. He puts a hand on each of their shoulders to guide them out of the room.

Caroline appears at the door, looking uncertain.

I’m surprised to see her. It’s the first time she’s tried to see me here.

“Are you doing all right?”

I shrug. “As well as can be expected.”

She nods.

“Are you seeing Houston?”

The question catches her by surprise.

“The kids said something.”

“I… Uh… Yes, I am.”

“He’s a good guy.”

“He’s a very good guy.”

“I’m happy for you.”

“I…I should go.”

“Thank you for bringing them to see me. I live for the time with them.”

“They do, too. Take care, Ryder.”

“You, too.”

After they leave, I ask if I can use the phone. Most of the time they say no, but sometimes, such as now, they say yes.

Cam

I wait until the tea is fully steeped before I carry the delicate cup and saucer to my mother in the three-season room where we spend most of our time these days. A few months after that dreadful day in court, we sold both houses and moved to Tampa. My mother has her own suite off the main part of our house. The kids love having her living with us, and she’s adjusted well to a whole new life after losing her husband so dramatically and then sending her eldest son to prison.

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