Page 20 of Uproot

"Edison.." Beckett says calmly, trying to reach for him, but Edison turns and runs behind me.

I give Beckett a sympathetic look and turn around, stooping down to talk to Edison, "Edi, everything is going to be ok, hunny. Don't worry about moving or anything else right now, ok? That will all be figured out later on."

Edison doesn't respond, continuing to cling to me. Beckett runs a hand through his hair looking regretful for making him more upset.

Edison finally calms down again after a few moments, and he slowly peels his arms from around me. Beckett stretches out a hand to him, giving him a sad smile. "How about we go find Gana and ask her to run you a bath? I have those rainbow bath bombs I got you. That will help you relax, huh?"

Edison doesn't respond, instead turning to give me one more hug. "Goodnight, Edi. I'll see you on Monday, ok?" I say quietly, as he pulls away.

He nods, hanging his head and takes Becketts hand, following him down the hallway.

The emotions I was holding in to not scare Edison are threatening to release from me as the two of them disappear out of view.

I feel tears spill from my eyes as I get my purse and hastily head to the front door. I don't want to unravel in front of Beckett and make a fool of myself, so I decide it's best if I just leave quietly.

This is the hardest part of being a teacher by far. You get so attached to your students being with them day in, and day out, that everything they go through affects you deeply.

I know I've never been a mother, but I still feel like all of my kids have a little piece of my heart, just like a mom feels with her children. And with everything that Edison has been through this year, he has a really big piece of mine.

I make it to the front door and dig in my purse for my pack of tissues again, drying my face before I leave.

"Selah are you ok?"

I yelp, dropping my purse on the floor of the foyer. Beckett frowns, stooping down to pick it up for me. He stands up and looks over my face. He lifts his hand to my cheek, shaking his head slowly. "Selah.."

I wipe my face with the back of my hand, "I'm so sorry, Beckett. I was really trying to hold it in. I just feel soterriblefor him. A-and I know I came here to help you, so I just didn't want to fall apart in front of you and make everything harder than it already is. I didn't want you to end up having to console someone else too. It's just too much for-"

"Selah, Selah, breathe, sweetheart," he instructs soothingly. He wraps his arms around me and rests his chin on my head as he gives me a hug. "This isn't anything too hard for me. And you aren't too much. It's perfectly normal for you to be emotional. You and Edison are so close."

I nod, reluctantly pulling away from him. "Thank you. Are you ok?" I ask.

He folds his arms over his chest, "I'm ok, yeah. I've had all day to process this, so maybe it's just easier for me now. I'm used to my family being a mess, and dealing with stress," he says, his eyes moving past me out of the front window. "Plus I've lost both of my parents, and I know what it's like to have that hole in your life."

I feel my gut twist at his words, knowing just what he means. I want to ask him more, but I know that this isn't the right time for those questions. "I'm sorry to hear that, Beckett," I say, and he nods. "Did Edi calm down a bit?"

Beckett looks back at me, coming out of his thoughts and lets out a heavy breath, "Yeah he's in the tub right now, Gana is washing his hair and making sure he’s ok. I'll read to him when he’s done and we can talk some more, and I'll try to answer any other questions he has. I don't want to get into more about the futurewith him. I know it's just too much for him to process right now," he sighs, running his hand through his dark hair.

"You're doing a great job, Beckett. You were just being honest with him about what was going to happen. It just was too overwhelming for him to imagine leaving here," I say encouragingly.

"Thank you, Selah. I'm just learning how to do all of this as I go," he admits. "Edison really loves you, and I can understand why. You have such a pure heart."

"Thank you, Beckett," I whisper, my heart filling with his words.

We stand there silently until he unfolds his arms and clears his throat. He bends down and slips on some slide sandals, then moves to open the front door. We walk out onto the front porch together and I breathe in the warm spring air, finally feeling my mind calm down.

We walk over to where my car is parked behind his SUV, and he turns to me as I take out my keys. "Thank you for coming tonight, Selah. Are you going to be ok driving home, or should I take you? I can always help you come back and get your car tomorrow," he offers.

"Oh I'll be fine. Thank you Beckett," I say, giving him a grateful smile.

"Text me when you get home, ok?" he says, taking a step back as I open my car door.

"I will. Goodnight Beckett," I respond, getting inside.

I start my car and back out of his driveway, giving him a small wave goodbye. He lifts his hand in return but doesn't move until I turn on to the main road, my thoughts jumbled as I head back home.

12

Beckett

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