Chapter Eight

Jaron's hands shook when he stepped into the backyard, cell phone in hand.

Bobby giggled from inside the kitchen, where he helped Gloria make dinner.

Jaron used the word helped loosely. Didn't matter how it tasted. Jaron would eat it with a smile on his face because Bobby didn't need him in the room while he helped and that was progress.

Whatever lasting trauma Bobby had from witnessing Tracy's death, they would both get help after they settled into their new life. He would take small steps until then. Bobby not needing Jaron in the room was a giant leap. Or it felt like one from where Jaron stood without Bobby hugging his leg with his thumb in his mouth. Maybe his little boy wouldn't suffer long term. Maybe they'd both be okay.

If Bobby could leap toward the positive, then Jaron would lose the nerves and call Beverly Heath for that job Travis mentioned.

He dialed her number, having memorized it earlier. It rang twice before someone answered. "Hello." The woman sounded as if she had hit and passed middle age a few years ago.

"Hi. I'm Jaron McAllister. Travis told me to call you about a housecleaning position."

"Yes, dear. I'm looking for someone to clean, of course, but also can you cook?"

"I was a short order cook for my last job. I'm not a chef or anything, though."

Beverly chuckled. "No creativity required, young man. Just a sandwich and maybe breakfast on occasion."

"That I can do." He smiled and sighed, losing some of the tension in his body before he even knew he had any.

"Are you able to come by tomorrow? 8 o'clock in the morning, perhaps?"

Up until that moment, Jaron hadn't thought about finding a sitter for Bobby. He'd have to think of something when and if Beverly hired him. Since tomorrow was Saturday, his mom could probably sit with Bobby. If Bobby would stay. Being able to leave the room and putting miles between them seemed like a stretch. Should he push it?

"Hmm. Yeah, I can come by at that time."

"All right, dear. I'll see you tomorrow morning."

They hung up after that. Jaron stuffed the phone into his jeans pocket and turned to enter the house.

His mom and Bobby were at the counter, mixing something in a bowl. Bobby stood on a kitchen chair. She'd never smiled as much when he was younger as she did with Bobby. Or maybe he just didn't remember. He remembered her working all the time and not much else. That smile was a good change.

He tugged on his mom's shirt, getting her attention. "Can you…" He pointed to Bobby. "Tomorrow. Interview with Beverly Heath."

Mom waved him away. "Of course. But will he stay with me?"

Jaron made a face and shrugged. He moved to Bobby's other side and peered into the bowl. "What are you making?"

Instead of answering, Bobby looked to Gloria for guidance. She answered for him. "Mashed potatoes for shepherds pie."

"Well, that sounds very yummy."

"Grandma says I can help her all the time."

Jaron smiled. "You're a big helper."

"I know. I told her."

"Tried to sell yourself, did ya."

Mom chuckled and ruffled Bobby's hair. "You did a fine job."

Jaron took a deep breath, gearing himself up for the next conversation. "You know that man we met at the grocery store?"

Bobby nodded.

"Well, I have to go to his house tomorrow morning."

Bobby shrugged. "How come?"

"His family might give me a job. I have to go talk to them about that."

Bobby drew his eyebrows together, and he stopped stirring. He turned to Jaron. "I can't come?"

Oh God, there it was, and Jaron had no idea how to approach the situation. He did the only thing he knew wouldn't be a mistake. "Not this time, snuggle bear."

"Does Grandma have to go too?"

Hm. "No."

His mom smiled at Bobby. "How about we let your dad have his boring talks, and we go to the zoo?"

Bobby's eyes lit up, and he nodded. "We can see penguins?"

"I'm not sure if the zoo has penguins, but if they do, then we can watch them for as long as you want."

Jaron reached over to get her attention. "Thanks, Mom."

She nodded. "Bev's a good friend of mine."

That hadn't been the case when Jaron left. "I didn't know that."

"Willis dying did a number on that family. I had something in common with Bev." She gave him an accusing look and Jaron knew she meant when he'd left.

Instead of engaging in an argument in front of Bobby, Jaron decided to take the high road. "Glad you were able to make a connection."

"Yes well, I'm telling you because she'll bring up your disappearance."

Disappearance?

From her point of view, he had disappeared. As a parent, he completely understood that. "Did you ever try to look for me?"

Mom nodded. "I talked to Brian, and I went to the police. He wouldn't do anything because you were technically an adult and left on your own."

"I took the bus to Bellcroft at first. Stayed about a year. Just long enough to figure out the place wasn't for me. Got a job at a restaurant working in the kitchen while I was there. When I put my two-week notice in, I explained to the restaurant owner why I was leaving. It just so happened that he knew Connie, who owned a diner in Palina. He put in a good word for me, and I moved there. I met Tracy. She was pregnant with this guy at the time." Jaron smiled and ruffled Bobby's hair. "Tracy and I needed each other, I think. We became a family. Then she died, and here I am."

"What did you need from her that you didn't get here?" Mom bit out the question as if it held all kinds of accusations.

Jaron had to push down the anger, which took a moment longer than his mom liked if the look on her face was any indication. "I think she knew she wouldn't be a good parent and she needed me to step up. For me, she mostly gave me acceptance. She loved me unconditionally." Jaron smiled and fought to hold back tears. "She loved everyone like that. Judged no one. She was a free-spirit."

Mom didn't speak, but held his gaze, for so long Jaron grew uncomfortable. "You felt judged and unloved here?"

"Yes. Very much so."

Mom turned away, looking at the half-mashed potatoes in the bowl. Her face turned red right before she started crying.