“Walker, we’re trying to figure it out,” I said.
Walker eyed me. “Mom, we can’t lose him.”
“We won’t,” I promised. I reached out to ruffle his hair, and Walker flinched, looking appalled.
“Mom!” he hissed, giving James a sideways glance. James remained impassive as Walker pulled back his shoulders and strutted off.
“Hard to believe Walker’s sixteen,” James muttered.
“I know.” A shadow moved in the window, and I glanced up. Adam stared down at me, his face expressionless, but his lip curled in distaste. His eyes were blank, and he offered a sneer before he walked away.
“We’re going to lose him,” I whispered again.
“Perhaps you need a vacation. An escape from reality with the children and Adam. All he sees in this place is what he thinks he lost,” James suggested.
“I’ve overheard Adam talking to himself. He calls himself disabled and useless.” I fiddled with the hem of my thick wool jumper.
“I’ve heard him, too. Being around here and seeing the guards, being close to RC, maybe Adam needs a break. But don’t mollycoddle him. Make Adam carry his own cases and shit. Then he can learn that he’s able to stand on his own two feet.”
“Be cruel to be kind?” I asked as my stomach flipped. Could I do that?
“Yes. I love Adam; he’s like a brother. I let him in when everything screamed not to. He was Frank’s legacy to me and one I cherish. Adam needs a short, sharp shock and to remember what family really is. And it’s not about guarding me or whatever crap he has in his head,” James said firmly.
“Mom!” my five-year-old son, Callum, shouted.
I looked up and saw my four-year-old, Xander, tackle Callum to the ground. Not to be excluded, two-year-old Zoie waddled over and flopped on top of them both. A small smile crossed my lips, and I patted James on the arm. “All yours, good luck!”
With that, I quickly escaped and left James to deal with the ensuing chaos.
???
Adam stared at me from the doorway as I searched online for a vacation we’d all enjoy.
“Have a nice chat with James?” he asked with a sneer.
“Problem?” I demanded, put on guard immediately.
“None. At least James is fit and whole.”
“And you think that matters, Adam? I love you, all of you,” I retorted.
“Even though I’m a gimp? Sure. Pity James married Kate, you might have had a chance!” Adam hissed, and I recoiled.
“How dare you? Leave, Adam, before you say something you regret!” I yelled.
Shame flashed briefly in Adam’s eyes, but it disappeared just as fast. “I’m going to the club,” he said and spun around and limped off.
“Again?” I called.
“What are you, my mother?” Adam retorted and left.
I dropped my head into my hands. The man I loved was buried in there somewhere, under that anger, and I couldn’t reach him.
Wiping tears away, I carried on looking for a vacation that might bring Adam back to me.
Adam
Shit. I hadn’t meant to go off on Rina that way, but I couldn’t control my temper. The hurt on Rina’s face haunted me as I drove off like a lunatic. Automatic cars for me now. James had tried to stop me from leaving, but it was pointless. Even our living arrangements were dependent on James. Rina had struggled to cope in our home while I was ‘recuperating’, and it wasn’t conducive to my recovery. Too many stairs and crap. Not wide enough for a wheelchair. Various other excuses.
