“See, that’s the thing.” Cassidy lowered her voice and inched closer to Caleb. “Arturo’s not big into kids. He’s never had any of his own, so it’s—”
“But you do, Cass. Why are you with a guy who doesn’t like kids?”
“I never said he doesn’tlikekids. I said he’s not into them.” Cassidy squeezed his arm. “I need some time for him to get used to the idea. We also need time for us as a couple, you know, to get used to living together and all.”
“Any marriage plans?” Dad said. “Any thought to letting us meet him before you move in?”
Cassidy had never introduced the family to her boyfriends. They’d never been to any of the places she’d lived. They’d never met Bentley’s father.
“Dad, this is my life and my decision. I don’t need you to meet him. But for your information, yes, there are plans to marry. Eventually.” She turned back to Caleb. “I’d like Bentley to live with you. Please? Wouldn’t it be cool for him to attend Valparaiso Middle School like we did? You really want that big ol’ house all to yourself?”
“It’s a dollhouse compared to what you described. Are you saying you want me to keep Bentley for the rest of middle school?” At eleven, he was a young sixth grader with two and a half more years ahead of him.
“What? No. Maybe. At least for the rest of this school year.” Cassidy smiled as Bentley came in the room, offering everyone a cookie. When he begged Grandpa to play the old Wii system in the upstairs library, Dad stood and called time for Caleb. “It’s actually been two minutes.”
Now he was really late. Caleb scooted closer to Cassidy and leaned in. “What are you doing? You wreck our family, and now you want to wreck Bentley? Dropping him off to live with his single uncle while you shack up with God-knows-who?”
“Wreck the family ... ha! Judgmental much? I thought you’d have grown up living in Seattle, but I guess I was wrong.”
“Don’t make this about me. This is all you.”
“Are you ever going to let go of what happened back then? Huh? I’ve raised a pretty darn good kid on my own and—”
“That kid is a testament to his own tenacity and spirit. And Mom’s prayers. Now, I have to go. I can’t lose this commission.”
“All right, look. I know things haven’t been easy between us. Y’all didn’t even tell me about Mom’s cancer. But I’m asking this onelittlefavor. I’ve stopped drinking, stopped getting high. Arturo is good for me. He wants to help me with my business. I know he loves me, and he’s going to love Bentley.” Caleb detected just enough sincerity in her voice. “I can’t leave Bentley with Mom. She doesn’t look like she has the energy for an eleven-year-old boy. Besides, you remember what it was like growing up here. I didn’t like it, so why—”
“I did.”
“—would I subject Bentley to it?”
Caleb scoffed. “Really? You loved living here until you went rogue. All of our friends wanted to live here.” He glanced at his phone. Jenny had texted a question mark, followed byDid I get the time wrong?
“I have to go.” He faced his sister. “If I take him, it’s on my terms. I get him for the rest of the school year. I’ll determine his spring break and his routine. You can’t just come in here and yank him out for some wild adventure you saw on TikTok.”
Cassidy’s expression darkened, but she held her rebuff. “Fine. For the school year.” She relaxed into a smile. “We packed acouple of suitcases, so he’s set for a few weeks. I’ll send the rest of his things when I get home. And some money.”
“Just send his things. I’ll take care of the rest. Now I really do have to go.”
On the short drive down Sea Blue Way to Alderman’s Pharmacy, Caleb wrestled with those not-so-buried, not-so-decayed memories and emotions from his teens.
She’d been bouncing in and out of their parents’ life for sixteen years. She’d even showed up in Seattle once. She’d determined that the family owed her something beyond their love and support. None of which she returned.
But Bentley? Caleb loved that kid. The first time he held him in his arms, he knew he’d give his life for him. Today, Cassidy tugged on that secret pledge. Today, Caleb kept his word.
Mom. The Org. Homestead. Bentley. Maybe all of them combined made up why he returned to Sea Blue Beach.
THE GAZETTE
Telling Stories from the Sands of Sea Blue Beach
Established 1902
Gazette Editorial
Sunday January 5th
By Elliot Kirby
