Page 12 of Crying Shame
His physical form was one reason why other men didn't stack up. Elon was perfect and could star in a superhero movie if he’d ever had an inkling to appear on screen.
I smiled a little brighter, told him to sit down at the table, poured the tea, and put it on a tray I then placed in front of him. I folded my hands. “Tea. I hope you like it.”
“Thanks.” He gulped it, clearly still preferring his drink ultrahot and not caring if the liquid burned his throat. He set down the empty cup and waved a hand. “Let’s get some breakfast. I’m yours all day to do whatever you want. Do you hear that, Sam?”
Sam's eyes twinkled as he gazed up at his father. “Really?”
“Yeah.” Elon grabbed his shoes.
Both Sam and Elon gazed at me, and I realized I’d made a huge mistake in keeping them apart. My selfish desire to have Sam for myself wasn’t good.
Sam started for the door, waving for us to follow. “Well, I am hungry. Breakfast sounds good.”
We headed downstairs, and Sam directed us to one of the nearby theme parks. I didn't get free tickets, so Sam and I never came here. Once Elon had paid our admission, though, Sam marched us up to the Wizard Cafe.
Customers had to pick up trays before going through the line. Elon didn’t seem to mind, though his lips pressed together when he realized he needed to carry his own food to the table. I almost laughed at the notion of a Norouzi serving himself.
After we ordered, Elon paid, and Sam found a table. Once we were all sitting, Elon asked, “Clarissa?”
“Yeah?” I realized he'd yet to make himself tea using the mug of hot water on his tray. I opened a tea bag and did it for him.
“You’re not my servant.” I ignored the comment as I wasn’t that different from my parents.
He waited till I finished. “You need to start realizing you’re privileged."
No, I wasn’t—Sam was. But a huge breath escaped my lips. It was good that Elon thought of us as family, though, as Sam needed to be protected. He’d never hear from his parents, like I had, that he wasn't a priority. “Oh… thank you.”
"I've already spoken to my parents," Elon said. "Your parents are retiring. So when we ever do visit my parents, you won’t be bothered. ”
Sam bit into his sandwich like it was his first meal in forever. Once he finished chewing and swallowing, he asked, “You have parents?”
Elon nodded but then must have noticed how still I was. “They are excited to meet you, but that’ll come later. Okay?”
I lowered my head. “We’ll need time for an adjustment, so no one is overwhelmed.”
He took my hand, and awareness zipped through me. “Clarissa, let me buy whatever it is Sam wants today as a means of getting to know him.”
Sam needed more than things. I should be clear on that, but maybe I’d let things slide today as they'd just met. Once Elon opened his heart and not only his wallet, Sam would prefer Elon, but I’d always known my time with my son was temporary. My shoulders slumped. “Fine. You probably think I’m being ridiculous.”
Elon sat up straighter and cut his eggs. “You’re being overprotective, but you haven’t said why that is. I’m here to help lighten your load.”
I stilled and stirred my coffee. “Don’t lighten it too much. I need to feel useful, and I hope you do more than just buy things.”
“Mom, can I order French toast too?”
I glanced at Sam and realized he’d finished his entire meal.
Elon took out a twenty dollar bill and handed it to Sam. “Go for it.”
Sam took the money and darted to the cashier to place his order.
Elon ate more of his breakfast. I chewed on my toast and hoped he wouldn't watch me eat.
When Sam returned, Elon joked, “Maybe we’ll take him to Paris, so he can have a real French breakfast next week.”
Sam smiled brightly and practically glowed as he nodded. “That sounds so much better than school.”
I shook my head. I needed to make sure that Sam wasn't only interested in what he could get from Elon. I waited for Sam to finish his first huge bite of French toast. “Once we settle in at Elon’s place, we’re walking you right to school to register.”
