I inwardly roll my eyes at myself. God, this shows how inept I am at parenting. I didn’t even think of approaching the boy and making him talk to me like that. Here, I thought it was better to let him have his own space.
Seth comes to sit next to me, crosses his legs, and takes a sip of his wine. He’s relaxed, or appears that way. Usually, when I see him, he’s uptight as hell, but that could’ve been my fault, I suppose. Probably. Definitely.
“You’re a natural at this. I don’t even know what to say to him.”
“I’ve had a lot more practice. Let me tell you, it hasn’t always been easy. Sawyer and Emily were easier, but Harrison? He was older when he came to us.”
“Us?”
Seth frowns as he watches Braeden or avoids looking at me. “Yeah, my ex-husband. That’s a story for another day. Anyway, Harrison still remembers his parents. Like Braeden here, they lost them. Malcolm, my ex, and I did everything we could to bring all the siblings home with us. Harrison still hasn’t called me dad, and I’ll never make him. He’s a great kid, but sometimes he hurts and grieves. He’s not as old as Braeden, but he still remembers.”
“I can’t imagine.” I’m not sure what else to say. Fuck, I need to work on my social skills.
“Most days are amazing. Sometimes the stars align, and Em has a calm day, like today.”
I chuckle at that. “Well, I’m going to have to take a crash course in parenting, along with setting Braeden up with school, finding him a pediatrician, getting him into a music program, and… God, it’s a lot. On top of that, I have some important work projects coming up. I’m doing all I can here not to freak the hell out.”
“Are you holding it together for you or for him?”
I suppose I deserve that. “For both of us. I have no intention of letting down my friends and Braeden. I owe them that much, but…”
“That’s a great start, Cal. Your willingness to take care of him is everything. He may not see it now, or even for a while, but he will. I promise you. He’ll never stop hurting, but the days will get better.”
I take another sip of wine and sigh, watching Seth still watching Braeden as if he’s afraid to look at me or something.
“I don’t want to fuck up… I mean fudge up,” I say after a prolonged silence.
Seth turns to look at me, smiling brightly. “At least you’re trying with the language. I’ll turn you into a good boy before you know it.”
I throw back my head and laugh, feeling better already. “You didnotjust say that. Hownaughtyof you.”
He blushes, but doesn’t take it back, then he chuckles, too, before growing serious. “Try to remember that Braeden not only lost his parents, but his home, friends, and music. His life has been completely uprooted, and he’s been forced to live with a man he doesn’t even know. He may have heard about you or your name floating around, but he has no idea what kind of man you are, or if he can trust you. He may not be talking to you, but he’s already clinging, which may stem more from his trauma.”
“You know so much about kids, I’ve gotta say.”
“To be fair, I took some courses back in college on child psychology. Then my ex and I took some parenting courses before the kids moved in with us. I’m no expert, but I got an idea of what’s going on in his head. Harrison has taught me a lot about childhood grief and trauma. However, I think Braeden here will have it a bit worse since he’s older.”
“I’ve put a reminder on my list to set him up with a therapist soon.”
“He’s going to need it. So will you. You’re on the right path, Cal. I truly think you’ll be okay.”
“Good thing I have my own business. I can work from home until Braeden gets adjusted.”
“Even better.”
When I finish off my wine, the boy yawns and rubs his eyes. “I guess that’s my cue to get him home and into bed.”
I stand and take my glass to the sink before returning to the living room. “Thanks for this.”
Seth shoves his hands in his pockets and shrugs. “It’s my pleasure. Come by any time if you have more questions or need help. In fact…” Seth jots something down on a sticky note he pulled out of a junk drawer. “My number.”
I take the note and write mine down on the pad. “Thanks.” Yep, a big batch of chocolate chip cookies is in order.
I step up to Braeden, squat, and tap my ear as Seth had done. He removes an earbud and looks up at me with huge, lost blue eyes. “Time to get home.”
Without a word or sound, he stands, puts his earbuds into his charging case, and his phone into his back pocket. With a quick wave to Seth, he heads toward the front door.
“Thanks again,” I say because I can never say it enough.
