“It says…”
He held up a hand.“To my beloved Grace. And the date is February 14, 1926.”
Blake’s eyes widened.“How did you know?”
“I’ve…I’ve seen it before.”Many, many years ago. A family heirloom that Heather had treasured.
“So are you beginning to believe me?”
“I am.”He nodded.“I want you to know that I didn’t know anything about you.”His voice was low, quiet, subdued. So many thoughts. He set the papers on the table, closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them and stared at Blake.“I knew…nothing.”Pain seared through his heart at all he’d missed. All he hadn’t known.
The boy searched his face for a moment, then nodded.“Okay. Would you have kept me if youdidknow about me?”
“I…”He paused and thought about it.“Yes. I mean, I think so. I hope so. I can’t imagine giving up my own child.”Though that was exactly what Heather did. Without saying a word to him. Without giving him any choice.
“So…could you help me now?”Blake’s face still clasped onto its protective mask, but his eyes held a tiny bit of hope.“Because I heard my aunt say that she was thinking of turning me over to the state. That it was just too hard to raise me. And I cost her too much money.”A dash of pain flitted across his eyes again, but just as quickly disappeared.“But I don’t ask for things. Not a phone, or new clothes, or anything. I don’t cause her much trouble. I don’t. I do good in school. I help clean and I know how to cook.”
Jesse stared at Blake, trying to plead his case, asserting that he was a good kid. His heart clutched in his chest.
Blake continued,“But I’ve heard about those places that they send kids my age that no one wants. I…I don’t want to go there. So, I thought maybe you could help me get emancipated. I know it will cost some money. I’ll pay you back. I swear. I’ll be sixteen soon and that’s what I want.”His voice was assured and confident.
He sat back in his chair, stunned. All Blake had gone through. Losing his father, his mother, and now his aunt didn’t want him. And all he wanted was to be emancipated? To be on his own.
He was way too young for that.
“I tell you what. We’re going to figure this all out. You and me, okay? I’m going to have to talk to a lawyer and sort through all this.”
“Really, you’ll help me?”Blake’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes, of course, I’ll help you.”
“Thank you.”A tentative smile flickered across Blake’s lips, then he frowned.“So…this Heather. My mom. What’s she like? Do you ever see her?”
In an act of incredible fate, or maybe the universe laughing at all of them, he heard a voice calling from inside.“Jesse? You home?”
Heather.
Anger swept through him with such intensity that he couldn’t even think straight. He clenched his fists. He glanced at Blake.“Out here.”
Heather came to the open door, a wide, just-for-him smile on her face. Then she saw Blake and nodded at him.“Hello there. Didn’t know Jesse had company.”
Blake shifted uneasily in his chair.
It looked like this was the day for shocks for everyone. He looked over at Blake, hoping the boy could take yet another surprise because he was suddenly very protective of him.
“Blake…ah…this is…Heather. Heather, this is your son, Blake.”
All the color drained from Heather’s face, and she gasped as she grabbed the doorframe.
Chapter 16
Heather held onto the doorframe as if it would stop her whole life from exploding around her. Staring at the boy and then Jesse with his words swirling through her mind. She shut her eyes and took a deep breath. For a moment the world went out of focus before slowly clearing again. She opened her eyes and couldn’t take her gaze off the boy.
Blake.
Her son. How many years had she dreamed of him? Dreamed of actually meeting him.
But not like this. Definitely not like this.
