Her words are like a light in the dark, and for thefirst time in a long while, I feel like I might be ready to step into that light. Maybe I don’t have all the answers. Maybe I’m scared out of my mind. But I know what I have to do.
With a slow nod, I acknowledge the seriousness of my next move. “I’ll tell him. I have to.”
Millie smiles at me, her eyes softening. “Good. I know it’s scary, but it’s the right thing. And whatever happens, I’ve got your back, Kenna. Always.”
I give her a small, grateful smile. “Thanks, Millie. I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She chuckles, the sound warm and reassuring. “You’ll never have to find out.”
The bell above the door jingles as I step out of Beanstalk, and for a second, I stand there on the sidewalk, taking a breath to collect myself. I’ve just had one of the toughest conversations of my life with Millie, and now everything feels like it’s swirling inside of me. The weight of the truth I’m about to tell Cole hangs heavily in the air. It’s all I’ve been thinking about since yesterday, when I spent the day with him. I feel like I’ve been walking around with this secret pressing down on me, and the time has come to finally tell him. I can’t put it off any longer.
I pull my phone from my purse and dial my mom’s number, trying to steady my shaking hands. When she picks up, I take a deep breath.
“Hey, Mom,” I say, trying to sound calm. “Could you keep Cohen for one more night? Something’s come up, and I just need a little more time.”
“Of course, sweetheart,” she replies without hesitation. “Is everything okay?”
I pause for a moment. The words stuck in my throat. “Yeah, everything’s fine. I’ll explain later. But how is he? I miss him so much.”
“He’s good, honey. He’s being a kid, you know,” she says, and I can hear the smile in her voice. “You take care of what you need, Kenna. I’ll keep him busy, don’t worry.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you. Can you put him on the phone? I wanna talk to him. "
“Yeah, honey, let me call him in.” My mom says, I can hear her yelling for Cohen in the background.
A few seconds pass before I hear my sweet boy’s voice.
“Mom?” he asks, his tone a little quieter than usual.
“Hey, baby. I just wanted to check in. How’s your day going?” I try to sound upbeat, but it’s hard with everything weighing on me.
“I miss you,” he says, and my heart breaks at the sound of his small voice. “I wanna come home.”
Closing my eyes for a moment, I bite back tears. Knowing how much he wants to be with me, I hate I can’t be with him now. “I know, sweetie. I miss you too. But something came up, so you can stay with Grandma and Grandpa one more night. How about you stay home from school tomorrow? We’ll spend all day together, just the two of us.”
He’s silent for a moment, and I can hear his little breath hitch. “Okay, Mom. But...when will you come get me?”
“I’ll be there soon, Cohen. I promise. Just a little longer, okay?”
A small sob escapes him, and I feel a crack in my chest. “I love you, Mom,” he whispers, his voice cracking.
“I love you too, baby,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady. “Hang in there. I’ll be there tomorrow, I promise. We’re going to have the best day.”
He sniffles, but there’s a slight relief in his voice. “Okay. Love you.”
“Love you too, Cohen. Talk to you later, baby.”
After hanging up, I take a deep breath and rub my eyes. I have to do this. For him. For Cole. I can’t keep living in fear, wondering when the truth will come out, or worse—when someone else will tell him. I send a quick text to Cole:
Me
Can you meet me at my house? It’s time I tell you what’s been bugging me.
A moment later, he responds.
Cole
I’ll be there.
