Raedene

Everything just happened so fast, by nine o’clock the next morning a Lexus pulled up in front of the house and good old Samson got out and opened the door for us. Some things never change; I can still remember him being dropped off at college by Samson. Caleb was always the spoiled, rich kid amongst the rest of us. Things did however change drastically after his parents’ divorce, and for some reason I figured that he may have finally descended by force of gravity and tasted real-life after he left for the military.

“Miss Callaway, it’s lovely to see you again,” Samson greeted me with a friendly smile.

“Hi Samson, it’s been a while hasn’t it?”

“Indeed. And I see your little boy looks just like you,” he commented.

It was true, Braden had my strawberry blonde hair and forest green eyes, but on closer inspection the shape of his mouth and nose was a cloned copy of Caleb’s.

“Yes he has my eyes, but that’s about it.” Did Samson know that Braden was Caleb’s son? Unsure of what Caleb had confided in his old friend, I omitted to mention the resemblances between the two.

The closer we got to Denver the more nervous I became, so much so that I could feel a hollow form in the pit of my stomach. The last time I was this nervous was when I found out I was pregnant. It was like yesterday when I looked at the two pink lines on the pregnancy test, and now I had no idea how I was going to explain to Caleb why I never told him.

As we turned into the driveway through the large automated gates I wanted to run. He really outdid himself this time. The house looked like a glorified bachelor pad with a masterful modern cubed design and large windows. It was nothing short of a glass house apart from the concrete and wood that panelled the sides, definitely not designed for a family or kids. Not that I was actually hoping to rekindle an old flame, frankly there was nothing left to rekindle.

To make matters worse, Caleb was standing outside on the stairs, legs apart and his arms folded across his chest. Completely transformed, he was much bulkier in his biceps and chest than I remember. The frown that furrowed between his brows was intimidating and for a moment I contemplated asking Samson to take me back home. If it wasn’t for Braden, I probably would have been gone by now.

Caleb reached the car and opened the door for us and I attempted a casual smile, I could feel the muscles in my cheeks jump uncomfortably and I quickly pursed my lips to relieve the tension.

“I’m glad you decided to come,” he said without a smile but glanced right past me at Braden who was still fast asleep on the back seat.

You didn’t really give me a choice, I thought to say, but instead I nodded, “It wasn’t too much trouble.”

Samson brought our luggage and came to stand beside me and Caleb’s frown deepened, “Is that all you have with you?”

What did he expect, it wasn’t as if I was moving in, “Yes, it’s just a weekend bag, it’s enough for a couple of days.”

I saw the muscle jump in his jaw as he clenched his mouth shut, clearly holding back whatever he wanted to say.

“Samson will take your stuff upstairs; will you be okay to carry him or can I take him?” he asked hesitantly.

“No it’s fine, I’ll take him,” I quickly said and ducked into the car pulling Braden closer and lifting him into my arms.

“Are you sure? He looks a little heavy.”

“I’m used to it and I don’t want him to wake up in a stranger’s arms,” I said and immediately wished I had a filter.

The pain that flashed in Caleb’s eyes was evident, and I instantly felt terrible. Although he was technically a stranger to Braden, he was still his dad and it wasn’t exactly his fault that he never had part in his son’s life.

“Actually, my back is hurting a little, so if you don’t mind carrying him that will be great.”

I carefully placed Braden in Caleb’s arms and as his hand brushed my arm I felt that familiar spark that shot through every fibre of my being and from the look in his eyes, he felt it too. I clumsily took a step back and he abruptly turned away and headed into the house. I waited outside for a few minutes to calm the raging storm inside me. I was halfway up the stairs when my heart stopped, I could have sworn I heard Braden’s voice and as I entered the open plan living room I stopped. Caleb was sitting on a small square bench with Braden next to him looking through a state of the art telescope. I literally clutched the front of my shirt trying to calm myself down since it felt as if my heart was about to jump out of my chest.

“Now if you turn this knob just a little to the left it increases the focus ratio. Can you see the craters on the moon now?” Caleb asked Braden.

“I can!” Braden said excitedly, “Is there really a man on the moon?”

“I think there is buddy, but he hides so well. Maybe one day we’ll be able to see him.”

Oh dear god, Braden was having a conversation with Caleb, how was that even possible? Braden hardly spoke to me other than when he needed food, or water. Tears stung my eyes, I felt like a complete failure as a mother.

“Miss Callaway, can I show you to your room?”

Samson appeared next to me just in time to save me from a completely breakdown. I glanced at Caleb and he nodded, that was my cue. And with a heavy heart and a lump in my throat, I followed Samson.