Page 43 of Blindsided By the Enforcer

“We have an arrangement. I need to show Scarlett I’ve moved on and Annie needs my help with her ex,” I explain. I’ve always been open with my mother. Not my father because I feared his judgment.

“I see,” she says and falls quiet. “Hmm.”

“What is it?” I ask.

“You two have chemistry,” Mom notes.

She isn’t wrong.

“We aren’t in a place where we want to test things out,” I explain.

“Well, sometimes we make plans and life just takes us in a different direction. You kids make all kinds of weird arrangements these days that I don’t understand. But I know what I saw at breakfast. I’ll keep my thoughts to myself and let you figure things out.”

“Where will you go?” I ask her.

“I don’t know, but I’ll be in touch once I figure out what I’m doing.”

“Okay.”

“I love you, Cade. I’m sorry if I’ve let you down. I’ve spent so much time drowning that I got absorbed in my own problems. I neglected you.”

“I’m a big boy now. I can take care of myself,” I assure.

“I’m so proud of you.”

“I’m proud of you too,” I reply. “This is the first step in the beginning of your new life.”

She takes a deep breath. “I like the sound of that.”

“Talk soon,” she says.

“Bye, love you.”

“Love you too,” she sighs.

We end the call.

I get out of bed and head to the bathroom. I get dressed in a pair of joggers and a hoodie. Annie said something about skating today but I don’t want to intrude on her family tradition. After I get dressed, I head toward the kitchen and notice her father at the top of the staircase. He seems to be having trouble moving.

“Sir, are you okay?” I ask since he’s holding his back.

“I’m afraid I must have twisted my back. I can’t walk, let alone skate.” He winces as he tries to move.

“Do you have a heating pad and an anti-inflammatory?” I ask since I am very familiar with injuries.

“I have a heating pad somewhere,” he says.

Annie walks down the hall upstairs. I don’t see her but I hear her say, “Daddy, what happened?” with a concerned voice.

He tells her his back is out and she runs to his bathroom where she says she thinks she saw the heating pad last.

She returns to him in the upstairs hallway. “Maybe we can open the presents up here,” she suggests.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’ll find a way to make it downstairs,” he assures her.

“I can help you,” I offer.

“This isn’t the first time my back’s gone out. I know how to maneuver myself. I find it easier to hold on to the staircase,” he explains.

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