Hello, Poem.
He is behind me and I still jump out of my skin. I put it back on slowly so his eyes can linger on the scars. He reaches out and smooths my hair back from my ears, down the back of my neck. I had it cut. It stops at my shoulders now.
Hallo, Caleb.
He leans over me now, taking my words as affection, resting his chin on the top of my head. It hurts and I bounce upward once to make it known. Too hard. Don't actually put your weight behind it. He settles for poking his head in beside my face.
What are you doing?
Filling out the information forms for the school.
Don't they have this information already?
Yes, but since it's changing we need to update them.
I see. Maybe I can have a greater interest in this sort of thing now.
What sort of thing? Your child?
His hand came down on my wrist, squeezing it until we both heard a crack and I cried out. Then abruptly he let go. Funny how the unpredictable temper remains the sole common bond between Cole and Caleb. After me, of course.
Well, it isn't funny, actually. Let's call it interesting instead.
Sorry.
I pick my wrist up and rub it gingerly. Ben walks into the room and I drop my hands into my lap.
Caleb.
Benjamin. Caleb walks around and sits down in the chair opposite me. Bridget is showing me the school forms. I've never seen so many invasive questions.
They need to know custody arrangements and what's going on at home so they can work with the kids.
I meant the list of emergency contacts. There are ten listed, but space for only two.
Bridget's afraid she'll miss a call. Ben says it matter-of-factly.
I can' t hear the phone. I concur.
Maybe you should wear your hearing aids.
Maybe you should mind your own business. I covered my mouth. Pissing him off won't help matters.
Caleb smiled generously. Since Henry, and you, are my business I'll let that go.
Ben stopped walking and looked back at him.
I mean, I won't take it personally. Caleb corrects himself.
Ben frowns but keeps going. He will stop in the library and find something on his phone to make him look preoccupied, just to keep an ear out for me. See? It's already working. Caleb is forced to come to me now. No surprises, no privacy, no locked doors keeping the knights out and the evil in.
Do you have our budget for September?
No, sorry, I'll have it by the end of the week.
Maybe you can just take out whatever you need. I really don't need to sign off on it, do I?
You just finished saying you want a greater interest in what's happening.
I trust you.
That's not the point.
Noted.
Oh, he's just going to lie down and take it, now. This is awesome.
Also, you're going to have to ignore Lochlan for a while, he is still warming up to this whole musical houses thing.
Caleb looked at the floor. Then the ceiling. Then out the window. I kept staring until his eyes met mine.
Do you really think this will work?
That depends.
On?
Are you afraid of Lochlan?
He grinned and shook his head at the floor. Then he looked back at me defiantly. Not particularly.
Maybe you should be. I wasn't smiling when I said it.
There's only one thing I'm afraid of in this world, Bridget.
I waited, saying nothing. I expected him to answer his own question with Benjamin. I looked into his blue eyes. They had softened, filled with water, unabashedly, abruptly moved.
Your emotions. They are so strong. They bring...(he is fighting for control now and losing) They bring all of us to our knees, Bridget.
I nodded. I'm aware of what I can do. I'm not sure he is, not truly. Then don't make me regret this decision. You wanted to be on the inside, I'm giving you one chance to fix everything you broke. You better not let her down.
He looked up, dazed, still teary-eyed and clued in. He knew who I meant.
I won't. I promise. I'm not going to let her down again. It was a whisper. I'm still not sure I can believe him but I'm going to try.
