17. Cohen

The bar closed early on Sunday nights, so I went straight from Collie's to Seaton Bakery, hoping my surrogate parents would have some advice on what to do with Ollie.

He'd hardly talked to me after seeing the house, and even though I'd texted him a couple of times over the weekend, he hadn't replied. I even tried texting and calling his mom but only received short answers like Ollie was busy. I had to think it wasn't just about me and the house. There was something going on, but I didn't know what.

The bakery was closed too, but I could see the lights on in the kitchen. Gayle and Chris always stayed late on Sundays to prepare dough for the week and deep clean the dining area. I loved that they saved the late, dirty work for themselves, even though they easily could have hired someone.

I knocked on the door, making the hanging bells rattle, and Gayle looked up from the chairs she was scrubbing. As soon as she saw me, her face broke into a grin, making lines form around her eyes and lips. She may have been getting older, but she'd always be beautiful to me.

She yelled something over her shoulder, probably letting Chris know I was there. Grabbing a ring of keys from her apron pocket, she unlocked the door and pulled me into a hug. "How are you doing, honey?"

"I'm okay," I said, taking in the smell of this place—like cleaner and sugar and flour. Like home. "Mind if I crash for a while?"

"Of course not," she said.

Her husband, Chris, came through the kitchen and said, "Hey, buddy. How are ya?" He clasped my hand and pulled me into a hug. I could barely believe I was almost his height now. When I'd met him as a teen, he'd seemed to tower over me.

"I was actually hoping I could pick your brains," I said.

Gayle nodded. "Of course. Grab a rag. We'll work and talk."

Chris went to the kitchen and retrieved a couple more rags, and soon we were all in the dining area, scrubbing down chairs and scraping gum from under the tables. While we worked, I told them about Ollie, how he'd been quiet all week and the blowup he'd had when I showed him the house.

"Well, first of all, congrats on the house," Gayle said, sending me a genuine smile.

I nodded my thanks.

"Do you think it could be something with his mom?" she asked.

I shrugged. "I wouldn't know. He won't talk to me at all."

Chris's gray eyebrows were drawn together. He'd gone gray early, but it looked like he was at least keeping all of his hair. "How are his grades?"

"I have no idea... but I can check." I got out my phone and went to my login screen. I tried to check in on his grades every month or so, but Ollie was a good student. Usually all I saw were As, Bs and the occasional C. But this time, the screen showed me something completely different.

There were several red 0s showing missing assignments in multiple classes. What was going on?

"How is it?" Gayle asked.

I shook my head, raking my free hand through my hair. "It's looking bad—for the last week or so he's missed almost every assignment."

Concern filled both of their faces, and emotion nearly clogged my throat. I'd never get used to having someone care for me like they did.

"Maybe you can talk to his teachers?" Gayle suggested.

Chris nodded. "I bet there's something going on at school. Bullying or something."

I nodded slowly. "That's a good idea. I'll head in there Monday. Maybe speak with the counselor."

I felt better, knowing at least I had a plan for how to help my son. I refocused my energy on a particularly pesky stain on a booth, trying to scrub it off.

"How about you?" Gayle asked. "How are you doing? Are you seeing anyone?" I couldn't miss the hope in her voice. Or the exasperation in Chris's when he added, "Not that you have to be seeing anyone. You could be a bachelor for life and we'd still love you."

I would have laughed, but Birdie's rejection still stung. "I met this woman the other night, and she was amazing. Like no one else. But she left before I could get her number or even her last name."

"And by left…" Gayle said.

I rolled my eyes. "We had a very wholesome dinner and then she hailed a cab."

Chris chuckled silently while she gave me the side-eye. But I wasn't about to tell her I jerked off to a woman who clearly didn't want anything to do with me.

"That's a shame," he said.

Gayle nodded. "Wasn't meant to be."

"What?" I said. "Why wouldn't it be? I don't want to go too far in detail, but I haven't reacted to a woman that way... ever."

Chris laughed out loud, but Gayle shook her head. "Spare me the details."

"Can do," I said.

"What I meant," she said, "was if it's meant to be, it will work out. You'll see her again and get another chance. If not, you won't and someone even better will come along."

I wished I believed her. But I didn't have time to worry about that. No, I had to take care of my son.

* * *

I went farther than usual on my morning run, pushing myself hard to clear my head, then I showered and got ready to go into the Academy. My plan was to get there before most of the students so I could have time to speak with the guidance counselor without Ollie seeing me.

My ex dropped him off at the school Monday mornings, so I didn't have to worry about explaining to him why I was going inside. Yeah, I wanted to know why he'd been dodging his homework, but this was so out of character for him. More than anything, I wanted to know if he was okay.

When I parked in the lot, the building was just as intimidating as ever—large and imposing with Latin engravings and gothic statues staring at me.

I took the stairs up to the front doors, looking at the inscription. Ad Meliora. Ollie had told me once what it meant, but I always forgot.

Maybe I'd ask his guidance counselor when we were done talking about Ollie.

Right inside the doors was the front office, so I opened the door to see an older woman with short red hair behind the desk. Her name tag said Marjorie Bellows. She looked up at me like she was already disappointed.

"Hi, Ms. Bellows," I said. "Could you point me in the direction of the guidance counselor's office?"

"Sure," she said. "Ms. Melrose's office is down this hall on the right. It has a bench outside."

I nodded, getting out of there and taking deep breaths as I went down the tiled hallways. I nodded at a few of the teachers I saw as I walked, said hello to a couple, but I kept my gaze ahead. I needed to get in and out of here before Ollie did.

Ahead on my right, I saw an old wooden bench, and it looked like the door was already open. As I got closer, I heard the most beautiful voice, and my jaw dropped.