Broken Toys

Chapter 24

Zeke stood in the doorway and watched as Casey's mother held her son, rocking him slightly, murmuring words too soft for Zeke to hear. He felt the sting of tears and quickly brushed them away.

Billy reached out to him and urged him to turn away, to give Casey and his mother some privacy.

"It will be okay," Stokely assured Zeke, offering him a soda and a soft smile.

Zeke folded himself into the nearest kitchen chair and took a drink. Billy sat down beside him and drank thirstily. Their eyes met, mirroring the brightness of emotions barely held in check.

"How's Stan?" Zeke asked after the silence grew uncomfortable. The sounds of quiet conversation drifted in from the living room and it took all his will power not to try and eavesdrop.

"He's okay," Stokely replied, not even trying to hide her smile. Zeke hadn't been gone long, but he'd been withdrawn for weeks and it had been quite a while since he'd shown any real interest in her or Stan, or anyone else for that matter.

"Looks like more than okay," Zeke teased liking it when she smiled.

"Yeah?' Stokes challenged, then grinned. "He might even make some C's this semester."

Zeke was impressed. "You're a good influence on him, Stokes."

"Well don't spread it around. You'll ruin my rep, Zeke."

Zeke just grinned and raised his eyebrows. Billy looked a bit confused by the exchange so Zeke explained. "Stan is an ex-jock. Stokes is a semi-reformed goth. They make an interesting pair."

"Yes we do, Zeke. But not as interesting as you and Miss Burke."

Zeke made a face and held up his hand to stop any further comments. "Miss Burke and I are history."

"Lucky for you. That is one very messed up individual. You should see her Zeke - she's dyed her hair blonde and started wearing these short, tight dresses. Very disturbing."

Zeke cleared his throat nervously and looked away, not saying anything. He was far too raw right now to discuss anything to do with Miss Burke.

"How did you get involved in this..." Billy gestured towards the living room where Casey and his mother were sitting side by side, heads tilted towards each other, still talking quietly.

"Casey's mother called me last week. She was pretty upset. She didn't tell me much, just that Casey and his father had a fight and something drastic happened. She said that she wasn't supposed to see Casey anymore, but that she really needed to talk to him."

Stokely leaned forward and lowered her voice looking at Zeke and then Billy before asking, "Is it true that they relinquished custody?"

Zeke nodded slowly, pain in his eyes and in the set of his shoulders. It made Billy wonder what the older boy was really feeling about all of this given Zeke's relationship with his disinterested parents.

"So what happens now?" Stokely asked, reaching out to Zeke and touching his hand. "How can we help?"

"I don't know," was Zeke's painfully honest reply.

They sat together in silence, drinking their sodas and trying not to think too much about anything until sounds of movement from the other room drew their attention.

"Hey," Casey said quietly. His eyes were red from crying but he seemed calmer, and some of the tension in his body had eased; he no longer looked brittle.

Casey's mother stood beside him, one hand resting lightly on Casey's shoulder while he balanced with his crutches. She was a little less tense but she still looked exhausted.

"Do you mind if I show Casey what I brought?" she asked quietly. Her voice was hoarse from crying and it wavered a little as she spoke.

Stokely stood up quickly, offering her chair. "Why don't you have something to drink first, Mrs. Conner? Some iced tea with lemon?"

Casey's mother nodded and took the seat that was offered. Casey took the seat next to Zeke, across from his mother and accepted a drink of Zeke's soda with a grateful smile.

Zeke's hands ached to touch Casey, to pull him into a tight embrace and hold onto him forever. Instead he folded his hands together and placed them in his lap.

The conversation was awkward and forced and lapsed into silence frequently. Finally Casey's mother found the courage to say what she needed to say.

"I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciate everything you've been doing for Casey." She looked at each of them in turn before reaching out to Casey. "I won't try to explain, it wouldn't make sense anyway..." she trailed off but didn't break eye contact with Casey.

"It may not seem like it, Casey, but I love you very much." She swallowed hard and hunched her shoulders, but didn't take her hand away.

"I know," Casey replied softly, not offering absolution, but giving as much forgiveness as he was able to.

Zeke could not longer hold back. He reached out and put an arm around Casey's shoulders, offering support.

Billy and Stokely exchanged relieved smiles. Not that either one of them would ever admit it, but they were both suckers for a happy ending.

*****

Casey leaned into his mother's embrace and closed his eyes. It had been years since she'd really hugged him, wrapping him up in both her arms and squeezing tight enough that he could feel her heartbeat. But that was how she hugged him now, and a little more of the pain of all that rejection eased.

He pulled away reluctantly and reached up to tenderly brush away her tears. He didn't ask if she would call or write; he didn't want any promises that could be broken. He just wanted this moment with nothing to spoil it, something he could hold onto forever.

He didn't say goodbye, just leaned in and kissed her softly on the cheek before turning away, letting Billy and Zeke guide him to the car.

He held the box she'd given him on his lap but didn't open it. As they drove away he pressed one hand against the window and kept it there until his tears washed the vision of his mother away.

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