Page 14 of Finding Forgiveness
“I’m flabbergasted her mother could be so heartless towards her child. There’s something obviously going on with her daughter. She should be trying to help, not make things worse.”
“I want to take Cassie back to Sydney with us when she’s well enough. I’m not leaving her here with them.”
“Does she want that?”
“I haven’t mentioned it to her yet, but Jacinta knows I want that.”
“Your mum and I will help out any way we can. We love that girl like she’s one of our own.”
“I know … I’m glad she has us. Her parents have a lot to answer for.”
“That they do.”
The rest of the trip is travelled in silence, which I’m grateful for. I’m emotionally tapped out.
I went straight upstairs to my room when we arrived at the house. I needed a moment to decompress, but once I’ve showered and changed, I head back downstairs. It’s been two years since I’ve lived under this roof, but it’s always good to be back home.
When I enter the kitchen, I find Mason sitting at the table with my dad, and his son, Blake, kneeling on a stool beside my mum as she gets lunch prepared.
“Sweetie,” she says when I enter the room. She moves to the sink to wash her hands before heading in my direction. As soon as she’s within reach, she cups my face, and I’m not sure if it’s that gesture, or the sympathetic look she gives me, but I feel like I’m on the verge of tears.
I’ve never been an emotional man … I can count on one hand how many times I’ve cried in my lifetime. The majority of those centred around my mother’s death. Maybe the lack of sleep has taken its toll on me.
“I’m okay, Mum,” I lie. The crack in my voice is a complete giveaway.
“Why don’t you and Mason grab a beer and head out onto the patio … lunch will be ready soon.”
I’m grateful she doesn’t push it any further. “Sounds good.”
I walk over to where Mason is sitting to shake his hand while my dad grabs two beers out of the fridge. My best friend has that same look of concern on his face that my mum did, but I know him well enough … that’s as far as this will go. We’re close, but we don’t do feelings and all that emotional baggage bullshit. I know he’s here for me if I need him, but he won’t force the issue.
When he releases my hand, I turn to face Blake. I make a fist and extend my arm over the breakfast bar for a fist pump. He raises his crumb-covered fingers and bumps his knuckles against mine. “Hey, champ,” I say.
“Hey, Uncle Connor. I’m helping Grandma make chicken switzels.” I chuckle at his mispronunciation. He’s a cute kid.
“They’re called schnitzel’s, bud,” his dad corrects.
Blake just lifts one shoulder and reaches for the next piece of floured chicken, then drops it into the egg mixture.
Mason stands and takes the beers from my dad, passing one to me. We both head for the back sliding doors in silence. Once I’m seated on the outdoor sofa, I crack the top off my beer and take a large gulp. I know alcohol isn’t the answer, but I wish this was something stronger. I wouldn’t mind getting fucked up so I could numb this queasy feeling I have inside.
We sit in silence for a few minutes, but I can feel my best friend’s eyes on me. “So, how’s Cass doing?” he eventually asks.
“Okay,” I answer with a shrug. “She was quiet when she woke, but she perked up the minute Jacinta got there.”
“Did she tell you why she did it?”
“Nah, and I didn’t ask. She’s fragile right now, and I didn’t want to say or do anything that would upset her.”
“Are you two a couple again … you know, after …?”
I lean into my seat and tilt my head back with a groan. I guess I was wrong about him not prying. “After what? Banging? No, we’re not.”
“Hmm.”
“I heard her screaming at someone on the phone, so I went to her room to check on her … I found her crying. I consoled her and one thing led to another … that’s about the gist of it.”
“Do you think it had anything to do with—”
