“Yeah, once a year, after I’ve saved up a good chunk of change, I go and buy things for a shelter in the area. And I donate it all, silently.”
At his words, I wasn’t able to fight the tears.
They were trailing down my cheeks before I could even blink.
He smiled a soft smile and with his thumb, brushed them away.
I inhaled deeply, trying to get them back under control.
Thankfully, I knew one way to do that.
To get angry.
Therefore, I asked, “And have you seen your parents since then?”
He sighed, then ran a hand over his bald head, as he nodded, “Once.”
“What happened?” I asked.
“Well, it wasn’t until I made a name for myself that they wanted anything to do with me. And stupidly, I fell for it.”
I shook my head, “No. You weren’t being stupid. You were being human. You wanted that connection so badly that you ignored the signs. There is nothing wrong with that. Human. Bronson, take the concept in through your hard head. Human.”
He rolled his eyes.
Fucker.
Then he shared.
“Apparently, my father had made a few bad investments. I found that out after I walked away from them. Anyway, they invited me over to talk. You get the picture?”
I nodded, “They wanted your money.”
He nodded.
“Yeah, they sure as fuck did. But they didn’t know that I had a son. And the only thing worse than having children was having them out of wedlock.”
I growled.
Then I said, “Keep them both away from me. I mean it.”
He snickered, “I will.”
I was right. Getting angry was the fastest way to get rid of the tears.
And that was when it hit me. That was the fifth time since that night my father took all my Christmas presents and sold them for money to buy alcohol and drugs.
Well... shit.
Cole and Madalyn returned with the coffees, and then I followed them to the apparel department.
The first cart was for teen boys. The second cart was for teen girls. The third cart was for little boys. And the fourth cart was for little girls.
I looked at Bronson and asked, “So what’s the limit for each cart?”
He smirked, “No limit. Not on something like this.”
Cole smiled, “I love doing this.”
