Page 118 of Sticks and Stones
Oh, not for her, but for Corbin.
“Corbin is regrouping, and what he needs is to deal with this on his own. You mommying him will suffocate him, and it’ll make this harder. He doesn’t want pity. He wants to find his footing, and get better. When he’s ready, he’ll let you in.”
That hung there.
Only, she knew he was right. The fact that he’d stand up for her son meant he wasn’t alone in the world, and maybe she could let go.
For him.
“They hurt him, didn’t they? The doctor wouldn’t tell me anything more, but a mother knows.”
Because he respected them, he went there.
“He was raped by five men. His body is battered, and I did the kit for him. Right now, he needs a few days to start to feel human again. He’s humiliated, broken, and scared. If you love him like I know you do, you’ll be a support system and not a bull in the China shop. You come on strong, Momma bear, but he needs subtle now, and he needs male friends who will protect him.”
John was grateful to this man. It was clear that their son meant a lot to them. Standing up to Hurricane Alice wasn’t easy.
“You’ll take care of him?” he asked.
Ethan was to the point.
“Right now, Gene and Greyson are out getting the files and visiting the crime scene. We’re already on the case, and we had the original case pulled. I’m here to keep him safe, and lethim have a place to hide. No one will hurt him now. That I can promise you.”
That was all John needed to hear.
“Okay, Son. I hear what you’re saying.”
They both looked at Alice, who they knew would struggle with this.
“What can we do?” Alice asked. “We both feel so helpless. I feel guilty. I know he took that undercover case because he’s sick of being referred to as my son at work. Tell me that him living in my shadow didn’t do this, Ethan. Please.”
He hugged her and let her lean on him.
“Mom, it’s not your fault or Corbin’s fault. We can’t undo it, but we can come back from it. Corbin needs to work through this, and decide if he wants to be a cop now, or not. That’s his choice to bail or to stick. Being reminded of his mother’s valor and skills will just make him run. A guy grows up and never forgets his mother’s love, but he needs to stand on his own for a change.”
She was aware.
“As for what you can do, just give him time, and he’ll let you know when he’s ready. It could be a day, or it could be a month. Your son loves you, and he isn’t going to stop being your son. He just might stop being a cop. Doesn’t he deserve the chance to make that decision without any outside influence?”
“He should quit,” she said, and Ethan stared at her.
That’s when Alice got it.
“And I just did what you told me not to do,” she said, sighing. “God. I’m annoying.”
He laughed.
“Not annoying, but a Mom. Your choices can’t be his. Corbin is a good cop, but this is a huge obstacle to get over. He has to make that choice alone without anyone pushing himone way or the other. Once he starts to heal, he’ll have a clearer picture.”
She understood.
“Can I bring him some food later?” she asked. “I’ll knock and leave it outside the door. I won’t try to get inside. That at least lets me feed him, so I know he’s okay.”
Ethan smiled.
That was a good compromise, and he knew it.
“I know he’ll love that. You know his favorite foods. Bring some by for dinner for him. We’ll make sure he eats and gets back on his feet. I promise.”
