“I met a fellow traveler in Greece, and we had a fling for a day or two. He left without saying goodbye.”
“He’ll never know who his father is.” I sigh.
Mason is probably better off not knowing, but he won’t see it that way. He’ll always have an empty hole inside him only the presence of a father could fill. I can attest to that firsthand. Though my father was around sometimes, he was never fully there. Not only will this be hard for Mason, but he’ll start to wonder if he has siblings out there. Maybe I should try to locate the guy for Mason’s sake. It will be damn near impossible though, given it’s been almost six years and my mother wasn’t even smart enough to ask for the guy’s last name.
“I have to go.” I stand, pulling a few bills from my wallet and tossing them on the table. “Order whatever you want.”
“But you haven’t eaten yet. I was hoping we could catch up and talk more.”
“You shouldn’t have been late then.” I stride towards the exit, hoping I made the best decision for my brother.
Mason’s attentionturns from playing his video game to me when I enter his bedroom.
“Are you winning?” I ask, sitting on the bed beside him.
I came straight to his room after arriving home with the intention of telling him about tomorrow’s plan, but now I can’t bring myself to do it. I’m afraid of failing him. My childhood was filled with disappointment, and I promised myself his wouldn’t be. Growing up my mother never came to football games, offered words of encouragement, or consoled me if I got hurt. She treated me like a Christmas ornament, only acknowledging when absolutely necessary. After she was done showing me off, I would be packed away until needed again. Can a tiger really change its stripes? I look at the picture of our mother on his nightstand, positioned next to one of Cole. Not too long ago he asked for a picture of her. It took a while, but I found one. I have to do this for him, even though it fills me with dread.
“No, I always lose.” He pouts.
“It takes practice. You’ll get it soon enough.” I rub the top of his curly head. “I need to talk to you about something really important.”
Being very perceptive for his age, Mason picks up on the serious note in my voice. He lays the joystick on the bed and faces me.
“I saw Mom today.”
His eyes light up as he leaps to his feet on the bed and jumps up and down. “My mommy is back! My mommy is back! I knew she would come back for me!” he yells in happiness.
I grab his arm and pat the space next to me. “Sit down, Mason.”
He drops to his bottom. I feel his tiny body vibrating with excitement.
“Where is she?”
“She’s coming tomorrow, but—”
“I’m going to be a good boy so she’ll never leave me again.”
“Her leaving had nothing to do with you. Don’t ever think you caused her to go. Some people aren’t meant to stay in one place.”
His large eyes fill with unshed tears. This news is taking an emotional toll on him. “Why didn’t she take me with her?” he asks, lips quivering.
“She had to be alone.”
“But why?”
“I don’t have an answer for you.”
“Can you make her stay?” He eyes me expectantly, looking for confirmation I’ll ensure his request is met.
“I’m sorry, buddy. I can’t make that promise.”
“What if she goes away again?”
“You’ll still have me.”
“What about Cin and Sebastian?”
“They’re not going anywhere.”
