Page 41 of Lies in Promises
It’s been three weeks since Robert left, and in those three weeks, Henry and I haven’t heard a single thing.
We know he made it to Mazatlán, but anything after he landed is unknown.
I want to believe us not hearing anything is good, but I’m not able to fully grasp that thought just yet. Something deep is telling me something is wrong, that I should go to Mexico myself to find answers, but I may be overthinking things.
As I watch two of his boys, I vow to give it another week. If I don’t hear anything, then I will go look for him.
Henry comes into the living room with a tray of snacks, placing it on the coffee table in the middle.
“Where’s Samantha and Elliot?” I ask when he comes to sit next to me.
“Mr. Elliot is upstairs in his room, and Miss Samantha is in the entertainment room coloring while she watches a movie about cars.”
I raise an eyebrow at Henry. “You put on a movie about cars for a seven-year-old girl?” I ask. I may not know anything about kids, but I do know that not all girls like cars and would rather watch something else.
“I’d put the eyebrows down, sir. She was the one who requested it.”
Interesting. I guess when having three brothers, their likes rub off on you.
We drop the conversation and go back to watching the kids.
At some point, I break the silence between me and Henry.
“Do you ever think about retirement?” I ask as I slouch against the couch cushion, smiling when Grayson lets out a laugh.
“Retirement from what exactly?” Henry asks.
I turn to look at him. “From this.” I wave my hands at the house. “From making sure the house is taken care of. From taking care of kids.”
“Are you firing me, sir?” he asks, looking and sounding unbothered.
I shake my head. “No, but I do think you should go out and live your life.”
Henry is quiet for a minute before he speaks again.
“I am living my life, Mr. Lane. I went to school, went into the military, had a career.” He pauses for a few seconds, collecting his thoughts. “I raised children. They might not have been my own, but I treated them as such. I learned with them, grew up with them, and then I was able to watch you become a man I am very proud of.”
“You don’t want to venture out and create something more? Something that’s yours?”
Henry has dedicated so much of his life to this family, to me. I don’t want him to give up on things, like finding a partner or having children of his own.
“I have created something that is mine, sir.” He looks around the house. “All of this is mine, and I don’t feel like giving it up anytime soon.” He pauses. “May I ask what brought this on?”
I don’t answer right away.
It takes me a good second to formulate the words.
“I need to prepare,” I start, not taking my eyes off my nephews as Grayson grabs a banana and gives it to his little brother. “They may be here for longer than we think, and I want to make sure they are taken care of. That they have everything they may need, not just now but long-term. I won’t be able to do it all myself, though.” I turn and look at my caretaker. “I will need help, but I don’t want to hold you back. You didn’t ask for this. So if you want to retire from this family and go explore the world and find yourself, then I won’t hold you here. I will open the door for you to go.”
Silence rolls between us, the only sound from the kids as they play.
I bought the whole damn store the day after they arrived, and I would buy it again if I needed to.
“I will help you,” Henry says, sending a curt nod my way. “I will help you for however long they are here.”
My mind goes into the darkness. “Something could happen. They could be here for years.”
Henry nods in understanding. “It doesn’t matter how long. I will help. I will not be going anywhere.”
