Page 78 of Send It
His expression is full of sorrow, “I’m gonna try to do a better job at being your dad. Don’t shut me out completely just yet.”
I nod firmly, but I’m not fucking around. I’ve never needed him and I’m not gonna need him now. If he’s here fine, if he’s not fine.
“I’m moving Nana home,” he says. “I’m going to pay a nurse to come during the day but she’s going to be home in the next couple of days.”
I nod, “Good. We can take care of her. I never wanted her there anyway.”
“I know. I just didn’t want that responsibility to fall on your shoulders. A twenty year old shouldn’t be taking care of an eighty year old woman.”
I scoff, “Yeah well, a seventy year old woman shouldn’t have been taking care of her son’s ten year old kid either but she did.”
It was a low blow but I couldn’t help it. There’s still a lot of pent up frustration and yeah I might give him a chance but I never said I’d make it easy on him.
39
Lincoln
It’s after midnight when I hear the faintest knock on my bedroom door. I know it’s not Reiss because he wouldn’t be so gentle. The door opens a sliver, just enough for me to see Colson’s six foot two frame peeking inside.
He slips through, closing the door quietly behind him. I haven’t seen him in three days, so a midnight visit wasn’t really on my bingo card for today.
I scoot over, lifting the comforter and inviting him to lay down next to me. When he slides in, his body is freezing.
“Geez why are you so cold?”
He snuggles against me, “Ice bath. I rode today and I’m so fucking sore.”
“What are you doing here?”
He turns around facing me, “What do you mean, I’m always here?”
“I mean in my bedroom,” I say. “What if Reiss finds you in here?”
“Then he just does.” Colson says nervously. “My dad is home.”
I stare at him, waiting for him to elaborate but he doesn’t so I do.
“Why is he here? That’s twice in a couple of weeks.”
“He said he’s home for good.”
I wrinkle my nose, “What?”
“My parents are getting divorced. Dad is moving back here, alone.”
I stare at him and part of me wants to pretend like I didn’t know but the other part knows that Nana could tell him that she already told me.
I wince, “Your Nana told me, but I don’t think she really meant to.”
“You already knew?” He gapes at me and I can tell he feels a little betrayed.
“Please don’t look at me like that,” I beg. “I honestly wasn’t a hundred percent sure if Nana had all the information straight and we haven’t exactly talked in a couple days.”
He sighs, “You and my Nana are thick as thieves, you know that? Hanging out behind my back and talking shit about me.”
“She loves me,” I brag. “Maybe even more than you.”
Colson chuckles, “Fat chance in hell. That woman is Colson’s biggest fan.”
