Page 4 of Collin: Episodes 10-12
“Well, Alice, if you’re okay driving back with Dr. Ryker, Collin and I are going to check into the hotel.”
Alice flashed him a smile. “Or I can drive if you want a drink before we go, Mom.”
Dr. Ryker glanced at the bar. “Fine. One drink.”
Alice fist pumped the air and held out her hand. “Keys.”
The hotel was nice. The suite was on the top floor. Collin dropped his bag by the bed and padded to the window. Out in the common area, Mr. Reevesworth was speaking with the two security guys, their voices too soft to make out individual words. Collin pushed back the curtains and looked out over the ocean. Waves rolled in, kaleidoscope style on the long, smooth beach. Collin pushed his hands into his pockets and leaned forward, dropping his head against the edge of the frame.
The door clicked shut. Collin turned his head. His dom was already moving toward him.
He put his arms around Collin from behind, kissing the side of Collin’s brow. “Now we’re alone.”
Collin let strangled air escape his lungs. “Yes, sir.”
Mr. Reevesworth cradled him. “Tell me about the walk with your mom.”
Collin huffed. “Can you spank me?”
“Do you need it?”
“I really, really wanted to hurt myself earlier. Now…I don’t know. I’m tired.”
Mr. Reevesworth held him close but said nothing, waiting for him to go on.
“I think she feels abandoned. And I don’t know what to do about it. Something about Alice and I cleaning the house and quote-unquote ‘helping’ set her off. I think she’s mad that I’m not doing it for myself?” Collin shrugged and held out his hands, palms up. “I don’t get it. I mean, I do, but I also don’t. I never promised to come back. I never planned on it. But I don’t think she realized that until today.”
Mr. Reevesworth pressed his lips against Collin’s hair again. “She’s hurt.”
“Yes.”
“And what else?”
Collin dragged in a long breath. “I’m… I feel bad about this, but I’m hurt that she’s hurt. I’m hurt that me trying to do what I can, trying to help and be there for her just made her mad. I’m mad that she and dad chose to be here because it made sense for them but didn’t think about me and Alice.”
He turned and pressed his face into his Master’s chest. “I get that she feels lonely.”
“She doesn’t have to stay.”
“Tenure.”
“But she got her PhD elsewhere, right?”
Collin nodded.
“She got her tenure here so fast because they knew that if she cared to look they couldn’t keep her.”
“That’s not how she sees it. She talks like she’s going to die in that place.”
Mr. Reevesworth rubbed his hand up and down Collin’s back. “Who are you responsible for, Collin?”
Who was he responsible for?
“Myself?”
“Hmm…sometimes. Sometimes I’m responsible for you.”
Collin laughed a little. “Yes, sir. And sometimes Mr. Moreau, too, sir.”
