Evander stood there for a second more before relaxing enough to step aside. And then, Grant was able to get a good look at me. His eyes, so similar to Evander’s, looked me over like I was important.
“How are you, Kasey?” Maren asked, stepping closer and keeping her hands at her sides, fingers lax.
I lifted one shoulder in a half shrug, eyes dropping to the sketchbook in my lap. I didn’t know how to answer her.
I was here. I was trying. I was…not hurting.
The marks on my back were a dull ache more than anything now, easy to ignore unless I moved a certain way, pulling against the welts that still dotted my skin.
The truth felt too big to say, at least to someone I didn’t know well enough. So, I just shrugged again, smaller this time.
Maren’s expression softened, like she understood. “That’s alright, sweetie. You don’t have to explain anything.”
Grant stood a step behind her, arms relaxed at his sides, watching me with that quiet steady kind of attention that didn’t feel prying.
Evander lingered there for another heartbeat, like he wasn’t sure he should step away. Then, the grill hissed, reminding him about the food and he exhaled slowly.
Before leaving, his fingers brushed through my hair, reminding me in his own way that he wasn’t going to be far away.
He moved back to the grill, shoulders tight, attention flickering between the sizzling food and the three of us like he was ready to drop everything if I so much as flinched.
Maren eased herself down onto the porch steps. She folded her hands loosely in her lap, posture open.
Meanwhile, Grant stepped off the path and walked towards Evander, his movements steady and unhurried. He stopped beside his son, saying something low that I couldn’t hear over the grill.
Evander answered without looking away from the food, jaw tight. Grant nodded once, slow and thoughtful, like he understood more than Evander was willing to say out loud.
Maren glanced at them, then back to me, her voice soft enough to not carry. “They’re both worried in their own ways. One wants to protect you, the other wants to protect his son.”
“I…I’m not worth protecting.” Or at least, I hadn’t been. Not while at Lockswell.
“Oh, sweet boy, that is so far from the truth. My son would give his life for you. He loves you. Loved you since you arrived in his life.”
I ducked my head as heat spider webbed up my neck to my face.
“Every year,” she kept her voice low enough it didn’t travel further than the two of us, “On this exact day, rain or shine, we do a BBQ, just Grant, Evander and me. Then, later as the sun starts to set, we have a bonfire where we cook marshmallows and make smores. It’s to remember a certain little boy we all lost. It’s our treat to his birthday. Which so happens to beyourbirthday, too.”
I looked at her with wide eyes, fear, and hope of tangling together. I was terrified she’d figured it out and somehow wished she had.
“I’m really glad my son has found you, you know. You’ve brought back a piece of him that I wasn’t sure he’d ever find. He would have worked himself to death searching.”
“How…” How did she figure it out, if she did? Or was she fishing to see if Iknew.
“I’m a mother,” as though that was enough of an explanation. “Not to mention you didn’t correct me on the points I’ve made to connect with who you are. Youarethat boy. The one we missed for so long.”
I could only nod once, tears clouding my vision.
“We all missed you, and I’m so sorry we didn’t look hard enough, Kasey. I truly am. But…” she trailed off, wiping a tear away herself. “Your secret is safe. I won’t tell anyone. I’m sure my son will press that exact point. And I don’t know if you’ll be up to joining the campfire tonight, but I’d really like it if you did. I may have bought a certain birthday boy a gift or two.”
“And…if I don’t join?” I would, most likely. The bribe of marshmallows was almost too strong to ignore.
“Then you still get the gifts either way. No one will force you to join. I know it’s a lot to take in. It sure is for me. Just…” She paused, her eyes flickering to the men at the grill. “Your parents will be there.”
Was I ready to face them? Did I want to? I knew Evander would be with me, stuck to my side if I asked. He’d keep me safe.
But at the same time…what if they didn’t want to see me? What if they didn’t keep ahold of any amount of hope that I’d be found? What if they didn’t care?
“There’s no pressure. Not with this family. Ever. You know your Evy will take care of it all for you. He always has, always will. No matter what choice you make tonight, or tomorrow, or even the next day.”
