Page 51 of Beckon

“I’ll be waiting, Chandler. ThisIpromise.” The sound of the door closing sounded like a gunshot down the hallway.

A mission.

Perhaps the most important one of all.

There wasn’t a force in the world that would see him breaking his word. He knew that every syllable she spoke was accurate. Even the hard to accept ones.

16

TAMITHA

“Honey.”Her mother kissed her cheek. “You’re burning the sauce.”

“Oh, shit.” Tami jumped at her mother’s presence and grabbed the wooden spoon. After a quick stir, she turned to her mom, and she was met with a stunned expression she hadn’t seen since her teen years. “What? I was distracted. It happens. I’ve kind of made an art form of it.” However, she was more distracted than usual today.

“It’s not the distraction that has got me flummoxed, it’s the fact that you just cursed. And with Chester just in the next room.”

“I did… oh crap, I did, didn’t I?”

Her mother’s nod was all-knowing and a bit suspicious. “Yes, ma’am, you most certainly did. So, what’s up? Do you want to talk about it?”

She sighed so hard she shrunk six inches. Tami needed her mom, they talked about everything. Their relationship had very few limits, and those had only been placed by Tami recently. For reasons she couldn’t even bear to think about.

But there were things she just couldn’t share with her mother yet. Deception wasn’t in her wheelhouse, so she opted to be as honest as she possibly could.

“I just miss Chandler so much; I feel like I can’t breathe sometimes. I know it’s for the best and he’s doing so much better. I understand why he doesn’t want to be around us until he feels safe. I mean, I get how it feels to think you might say or do something in pain and anger to hurt those you love, I get it. I really do, and I wouldn’t change a thing, but I guess I’m just a little selfish. And possibly a touch jealous of my own son.” She dropped her voice. “Does that make me a horrible person?”

She and Chandler talked on the phone at least four times a week and even video chatted most of those times. Whereas before it was every day. Not to mention their nights. Now those times were different, but she had to admit, it was quality time spent together. They made the most of it.

However, Chandler hadtucked Chester inalmost every single night over the last two months. Tami had gotten another phone just for that purpose.

While a small tinge of jealousy reared its ugly head, she wouldn’t deny her son anything, especially not his favorite buddy.

When they talked, Chandler told her about the progress he was making and how Tate had taken the news. Whereas when he talked to her son it was all dinosaurs and Legos. Anything Chester wanted, Chandler indulged.

She’d even overheard them talking about Reese one night. The things Chandler said about him to his son, melted her very soul. If she hadn’t already loved him, she would’ve fallen hard and fast then for sure.

It was that conversation when she knew Chandler was healing. Which he confirmed by securing himself an invitation to dinner tonight. He’d told her she’d know when he felt in control because he would ask forpasqettibecause Chester said it was the best. A dinner that was going to be burned if she didn’t pull her head out of the clouds.

“Honey, that doesn’t make you a bad person. You’re not actually jealous of Chester, you just miss Chandler. Speaking of my perfect grandson, I wanted to steal him away for a bit, but we’ll meet you there. Harold will be here any minute to keep you company and bring you along as soon as you set the sauce to rest.”

She assumed her mother was taking Chester to the park before they visited Reese. There was still a look on her mother’s face that had been there all day she couldn’t place. But then again, since she’d gotten married, Tami didn’t ask questions she didn’t already know the nature of the answer to. Thus, the new limits on their relationship.

“I think that’s a great idea. Chester’s been cooped up with the rain the last few days. He’s got ants in his pants. It’ll do him good to get out.”

Tami turned off the eye and slid the pot off the heat and called for her son.

“Yes?” Chester came sliding into the kitchen like his pants were on fire. “Is it time, Grandma?”

It irritated Tami a bit that her mother had already told Chester before she said yes, but Chester seemed overly excited to go, so that irritation dissipated quickly.

“Give me a kiss and get out of my house, both of you.” Her mock sternness did nothing but make her son laugh. He launched himself at her and she breathed in deep. She was trying to get a whiff of little boy, all cookies and dirt. Instead, she inhaled all man, soap, and gun oil… mixed with cookies and dirt.

When she set him on his feet and adjusted the lapels of the jacket, she realized it had been only two weeks since she last re-scented his jacket. With his full knowledge now, of course.

“Be good for Grandma, okay? Gumpy and I will be along soon.”

Tami watched them leave before turning back inside. She checked the stove to make sure it was off just one more time. “Still better than three times. Progress,” she mumbled as she made it to her bedroom.

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