Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99413 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 497(@200wpm)___ 398(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
“I like their bookkeeping system better than Uncle Uri’s. I might be able to improve things for him and Uncle Micheal. Oh, and I like curry chicken and rice with roti.
“Do you know how to make that? I would like it if you could make it for me. I will ask Mrs. Paloma to send you the recipe.
“There are dance battles on the weekends. Uncle Joe helps Jordan and the others come up with their routines. I was on Jordan’s team twice and we won.
“I like that they didn’t treat me like a little kid or as if I were autistic. I was a part of the family and team. It felt like how you treat me, Mom.
“I got everything I needed, but I’m happy to see you. I missed you so much. I love you, Mom,” he rambles excitedly.
I have never heard Sammy talk so much at once since I’ve been in his life. His eyes are so bright with excitement. I run my hand over his hair and then palm his face.
“I can make you some roti. You sound like you had a good time. You want something to eat now?”
“I will unpack and then I can have lunch with you and Dad. I have things you should know.”
“We’ll be waiting.”
“Can I come with you, Sammy?” Elijah asks.
“If I say no, you’re just going to stand outside my door. Come on, shadow,” he deadpans.
My mouth falls open. I look to LaSalle and it’s clear he’s trying to fight off his laughter. We look each other in the eyes.
“Ryan,” we say in unison.
“Oh God, what has that man done to my sweet boy. What am I going to have to unteach him?”
LaSalle pulls me into his embrace and kisses the top of my head. I shake my head before I go to make us some lunch. Then I pause and turn back to LaSalle.
“Wait a minute. Roti? How did they get him to try that? Everything touches.”
“Paloma kept the wet and dry parts separate. Sammy was able to mix them when he wanted, and he liked that. Trust me, it was good as hell. I can’t blame him. He was scraping the plate by the end,” Maldonado says, rubbing his belly.
CHAPTER 25
Surprise, I’m Here
Micheal
“Tell me how I can make it better,” I say into Sim’s ear as she sits at the piano.
“I don’t know how to explain it. That’s why I am playing.”
“Yes, but your playing has awoken everyone in the house, including our two-year-old son. Please, talk to me, Bella.”
She groans. “See, this is the problem. I am not good enough. I’m doing my best, but I’m not good enough.”
I pull her into my lap and wait for her to give me her eyes. I hadn’t known this had been on her mind. I’m a bit confused.
“Good enough for what? For who?”
“To be your wife, to be a mother. Artemis hates me. Sammy went to California for his training. I’m not good enough for anyone,” she replies.
“Okay, let’s back this up. You, mia cara, are an amazing mother. Our son adores you.”
“He does not adore me. He has no patience for me. Yesterday was terrible.”
“He is two and likes to stretch his boundaries. He has picked up on your bad days, and the little monster likes to push all your buttons to get a reaction. It’s his job to fluster you as much as he can.”
“It’s not nice to call our child a monster, Micheal. CPS might take him from us both if they hear you say things like that.”
I snort. “Why would CPS come to take him from either of us?”
“I had to yell at Art while we were in the store yesterday. He was throwing a tantrum. I was also stimming as I was having a bad day.”
“Sim, no one is going to call child protective services on you for chastising our son. If they did, they would find that our son has two loving parents and a safe, loving, and clean home. Why do you think you are so overwhelmed as of late?”
“I miss Sammy and training with him. I don’t know what I did wrong for him to need to find new trainers,” she says as her lips tremble.
“Cara, you did nothing wrong. Sammy went to learn from others for a while. That’s a good thing. He will return and we will be here waiting to continue as usual.”
“But I could have taught him anything they could and more. Why didn’t he ask me for what he needed? No, I am not good enough. He doesn’t want my help.”
“Baby, you are making this personal when it’s not. We are all trusting Sammy and what he knows he needs to do. Do you realize how important you have been in his life?”
“I thought I was, then he left.”