Page 63 of Marcus in Retrograde
And in hishand were dozens of pictures of baby Chase, from birth to high school. Him and his father, his mother, his brother. Candids from parties, summers, holidays, first day of school.
“These are all freshly printed,” he whispered. “Mom had a digital camera from when we were little. She printed these off.”
“To manipulate you?”
“I…I don’t think so. I think she did it to remind me.” He looked up and there were tears in his deep blue eyes. “I don’t need to be reminded. I never ever forgot them.”
I pulled out the phone in my pocket.
Marcus: Dad. I need a favor.
Daaaad: What’s up, Son?
Marcus: We need someone to watch the animals and can we borrow a car? Family emergency.
Daaaad: One of us will be down tomorrow.
CHASE
DAWN ROMANO FOLDEDHER ARMS around me and pulled me into a tight hug.
“Chase, I’m so glad I finally got to meet you. I wish this could be a better time,” she said.
I could feel her sincerity in my very bones, and since I had been an emotional wreck anyway for the past eighteen hours, my brain decided it was fine to start crying.
Again.
“Oh, Chase,” she whispered.
“Mrs. Romano—”
“It’s Dawn, darling,” she said.
“I’m sorry I’m such a mess, Dawn,” I said. “I don’t know how to feel about any of this.”
“Don’t try to figure that out right now,” she said. “You’ll have plenty of time to do that on the drive and while you’re there.”
“Are you sure you’re going to be okay with all these animals?”
“Psht. Whatever,” she said, waving me off. “We have three dogs, four cats, and chickens. Damn chickens. Thanks to Christy’s new abandoned hobby.” She looked around the apartment. “At least I won’t have to hear that fucking rooster every morning.”
I choked. Marcus’ motherswore.
“So, I’ll be sleeping in my son’s place, but since he seems to have no ability to decorate, or hell, even purchase furniture, I’ll probably be over here most of the time. Are you all right with that?”
“I can’t say no—”
“You most certainly can,” she said.
“I don’t want to say no,” I amended with a smile, smearing the remains of the tears off my cheeks.
She nodded. “Do either of the cats need special care?”
“No, just alotof petting. Proust can get very kitteny.”
“Pollux still for his twice a day minimum walks?”
“Yes, and a quick pee break before bed.”
