Page 37 of Shattering

"Please, Ma?"

Cadi froze.

She looked down at him, his small face hopeful, pleading.

She let out a long breath, the tension in her shoulders loosening just slightly.

"...Fine."

Gray exhaled, some of the tightness in his chest easing.

Tomos beamed.

As Cadi crouched down to retrieve her handbag, Gray hunched down to Tomos' level, taking a moment to steady himself before speaking.

"Listen, lad." His voice was softer than usual, careful. "Sometimes... grownups do stupid things."

Tomos tilted his head, watching him intently.

"Like anyone else," Gray continued. "And I was an eejit."

He swallowed, forcing himself to look Tomos in the eye.

"I'm sorry."

Tomos blinked.

Gray's throat tightened. "I won't do it again. I was just..." He struggled for the words, shaking his head. "I was very sad."

Tomos thought for a moment. "Ma was crying too."

Gray's breath caught.

Tomos' small voice didn't waver. "She doesn't cry with any sound. But my pillow was wet."

Gray's stomach dropped.

Tomos added, "She was crying with Uncle Callum yesterday."

Gray closed his eyes briefly before whispering, "That's my fault. But I am going to fix it."

But he did not know if he was making an empty promise.

Chapter 22

The park was quiet for a weekday morning, with only a few parents scattered along the benches while their children ran across the open field or climbed the rusted monkey bars.

Tomos was already pulling Gray toward the lawn, his small hands clutching at his father's T-shirt as he begged him to play.

Gray obliged without hesitation, rolling up his sleeves, dropping into a familiar stance.

"Alright, lad," he said, his Irish lilt warming as he crouched slightly, arms out. "Let's see if ye can break through."

Tomos grinned, his first genuine smile in days, before lunging toward him.

Gray sidestepped easily, catching him just enough to simulate a tackle—a gentle but firm wrap around Tomos's waist before letting him wriggle free.

"Good drive, but ye left yer inside shoulder open," Gray said, tousling Tomos's hair. "Again."

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