Page 21 of Uproot

Saturday, I spend the morning catching up with work emails and planning for our new app. Helen left to fly back to New York for a few days to take care of some personal things since we now have to stay longer than I anticipated, promising she would be back and ready to work by Monday afternoon.

Edison has been spending the morning with Dragana so I can focus and get caught up on everything. He had a hard time falling asleep again last night after I had to give him the news about his mother. We ended up talking for a while, and then I brought him into my bedroom because he didn't want to be alone.

We sat in my bed and watched a Ninja Turtle movie until 11pm when he started to doze off. I transferred him to his bed, and he settled in fine, only to wake up with a nightmare a few hours later. It doesn't seem to matter how many night lights I put in his room, his mind is the real enemy at night.

But thankfully the next day he has no memory of the nightmares, and all that he knows is that he is very tired. I know I'm goingto need to get him in with a children's therapist eventually to help him process everything that he has been through. That is just another thing I need to plan once I get our living situation settled.

I make a call to Bobby, who I know is also working today despite it being Saturday. Even though he's married he's just as much of a workaholic as I am on the weekends. His wife, Natalie, detests me for the 60-hour work weeks I encourage him to put in, despite the fact that she spends her days doing hot yoga, and shopping with her girlfriends without a single care about money.

Bobby and I go over a few financial proposals before I finally drop all of the bad news that has accumulated here throughout the week like an evil tumbleweed.

"Fucking hell, Beckett. Are you ever going to call me with some good news again? This means you aren't coming back for what, a few more weeks at least?" Bobby exclaims when I'm done.

I sigh, closing out the email on my computer. "Try to find a bit of compassion in that black soul of yours, B. The kid just lost his father to a jail cell, and his mother to drugs. I can't just yank him out of this little town he is used to and throw him into life in Manhattan. He will come close to drowning, swim to the surface to rebel, and probably end up just like fucking Charlie. I've got to do this the right way," I argue, rubbing my forehead.

Bobby goes quiet, and I know he must be taking a moment to calm down. After a few moments pass he sighs, "Yeah. Yeah I guess you have a point. I swear my heart isn't completely black, I just know that telecommuting is working out ok for now, but eventually we will need you here. I'll keep holding things down until you figure things out, man," he says.

"I appreciate that, B. Iwillfigure it out," I assure him.

"Ok. And if there's anything that you need from me, let me know, Beckett, I mean it," Bobby says, his voice turning serious. "I know that Charlie and Maria were living reckless for a long time. Maybe now you can turn a corner and make things right for that poor kid."

I sit back in my chair, blowing out a breath, "Thanks B. I hope so too," I respond.

"I've got to get off the phone and wrap things up here before Natalie starts calling me and cursing me out for working too late on a Saturday," he grumbles.

I chuckle at his lack of enthusiasm, "Big plans today, huh?"

"Yeah, I get to go to my in-laws house for Natalie’s sister's engagement party to husband number two. I didn't even know you still did that shit after the first marriage," he responds.

"Well, if you keep pissing off your wife, you will find out all about second marriages, brother," I say. "Wrap it up and call me Monday."

I finish up my work, and go in search of Edison and Dragana. I find them in the backyard enjoying the nice weather. The day is sunny and mild, with a nice breeze blowing. The backyard of the rental is a decent size, with a nice porch and lawn area, so I got Edison a big plastic ball to try to keep him entertained out here.

I see him next to the small flower garden with the big blue ball now. He's kicking the ball but the expression on his face still looks far off, and sad. I walk over to Dragana who is sitting on the porch, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She pats my hand, taking off her sunglasses, "He is in his own little world today. It will take some time," she says, as we both look over at Edison.

"Thank you. I'll talk to him," I say.

I walk down the steps and across the lawn to Edison, trying to think of what I can do to lift his spirits. I know that school has been keeping him busy and not so focused on what was going on with his dad. But now that it's the weekend, it must be harder for him without as many distractions that he especially needs after the news we gave him last night.

I'm trying to figure out the best way to help him when I suddenly get an idea.

"Hey little man. How about we go into town and find a park or something to hang out at for a bit? Which one is your favorite?" I ask, coming over to him.

He drops the ball onto the grass, frowning down at it, "I don't know any parks," he mutters, kicking at the grass.

I furrow my eyebrows, wondering if I'm misunderstanding him, "You've never been to a park since you moved here?" I ask.

He shakes his head and a big part of me wishes I could see Charlie one more time just to pummel his head in. It's unbelievable to me all of the things Edison has been deprived of in his short few years on this earth.

How hard is it to take your kid to a park once in a while, or show some interest in getting him some toys he likes, and helping him with homework?

I let out a breath and try to calm my irritation, "Well I guess we will go check one out and see how you like it then. It will be fun. Hey, we can stop by that diner in town and grab lunch too. I heard that they have good ice cream sundaes there."

His blue eyes spark back to life a bit, and it's enough to give me some hope that I can turn this day around for him.

I hold out my hand to him, "What do you say?"

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