His dad had read the reports, of course. His dad was an inquisitive man, and he wouldn’t leave a stone unturned if it meant helping his family. Emil often wondered if he’d wished he’d never turned the last few stones when it came to the kidnapping and the details they never talked about but both knew his dad was aware of.
“Yeah,” Emil answered his mom, realizing he’d zoned out a little. It wasn’t new, either. It wasn’t dissociation really, just another way for his brain to cope.
“Your dad is worried about him,” she started, and then when Emil was about to open his mouth, she shushed him. “No, hewasworried about him. I think he gained points by saving Joie.” She smiled at Emil, but he could see it was a little bit forced.
“You’ll have to meet him,” Emil said, knowing that she could hear the unsaid “to believe he’s a good man.”
“Yeah, I guess so. I might make a cake for Saturday. Bring it over.” She looked at him in a way that almost startled him, as if she was seeing him as an adult all of a sudden and not her baby for once. “Do you think that would be okay?”
“Uh… yes, definitely. Just… you know, make it a big one. I think they might get some firefighters to come, and you know those guys will eat everything.” He grinned, and Mom chuckled under her breath.
“Okay.” She watched as he finished the juice. “Feeling any better?”
“Yeah, I am, thanks.”
“Always, honey. Always.” The words felt like the caress she wasn’t sure she could give him.
He got up, and as she went to move out of his way, he put his hand on her shoulder. His heart was suddenly going on overdrive, but he chose to ignore it. “Hey, Mom?”
“Yes?” She looked a bit like a deer in the headlights.
“Could I give you a hug?” he asked, tamping down the thought of it being wrong somehow to hug her. It wouldn’t be her hugging him anyway, but the other way around.
With tears in her eyes, she nodded and turned to face him. She knew what he meant and stayed absolutely still as he wrapped his arms around her.
Emil knew she was trying to stay as still as possible, but he could feel the sobs wrecking her body, and when he leaned even closer to kiss her temple, a small, wailing sound escaped her.
“It’s okay, Mom. I promise,” he whispered, then let her go and went to put the glass on the edge of the sink like he always had.
“G-good night, Emil,” she choked out.
“Night, Mom.” He couldn’t look at her right then, afraid of what he’d see. He had enough trouble keeping himself together, and they both knew that.
NOW THATMakai had a nicer phone and they’d exchanged numbers, Emil could text him the morning after their discussion.
I had nightmares last night. Scared the bejeezus out of Mom.
He went to make himself coffee and grabbed a mug and his photography book and went on the back porch to read it.
A text came through a few minutes later.
Same. Without anyone but Mouse & kittens to scare. Feeling better now?
Sighing, Emil thought for a moment. He didn’t want to give a glib answer when he knew Makai really cared and would want to know.
Somewhat. Might have more nightmares, but I guess I’ll survive. You?
I guess. I’m gonna plan on Saturday today and figure out where to get a grill. Might just put together a brick one. Not big for barbecuing stuff normally.
Pretty sure Mr. M has some basic ones at the shop in the very back.
Okay, thanks.
Emil was trying to figure out what to say next to keep the conversation going, when another text from Makai came through.
With the stuff we talked about and the nightmares. Would it be okay to not meet before Saturday? I mean… I don’t know what I mean. I just feel like letting things cool off. My brain feels wired weird today.
Emil blinked at the text. What did itmean? He was still parsing his theories together when Makai sent another one.
