Page 46 of As It Was (Strawberry Springs #1)

CAIN

Strawberry Springs Neighborhood Watch

Mark Bell

All that drama and now everyone’s silent. What happened?

Comments:

Atticus Thompson : I don’t know. I kinda just want it to go back to normal.

Jade Clark : Seriously. I’m not here for petty stuff like that.

Marjorie Brown : Kerry is quiet for the first time in her life, and you’re COMPLAINING?

I didn’t want to have to go into the school, but there was a message to all of the parents saying the kids needed help bringing home an art project, so I begrudgingly walked in.

The last thing I wanted to do was see anyone. Especially Nicole. And especially Kerry.

I was hoping I could keep my head down and leave, but of course, Kerry was in the classroom, whispering to Nicole in the back corner.

“Hey,” I said to Eric. “Where’s your project?”

“Back there.” He pointed to the one corner I wanted to avoid. Fuck.

I gritted my teeth and walked over.

Kerry jumped when she saw me. “Oh, Cain! Hi!”

It wasn’t like her to act nervous. She usually walked through life without a care in the world, especially when she’d found a new nugget of information to share.

“Hi. I’m just here to grab Eric’s project. You guys can go back to talking about ... whatever it was you were talking about.”

I searched for his name, feeling both women’s eyes on me.

“Cain,” Nicole said. “I have a question to ask you.”

Great. Perfect.

I grabbed Eric’s project and tried to keep my face neutral. “Yes?”

“Let’s say you’re driving down the road one day and see a cold kitten. You’re allergic to cats and hate them, but you spot it. What do you do?”

What kind of test was this? “I take the kitten home and make sure it’s okay. Why?”

“Okay, and now Eric wants to keep it.”

“Is there a kitten outside or something?”

She shrugged. “It’s just a hypothetical.”

Kerry watched intently, and I wasn’t sure why she wasn’t throwing what she’d learned in my face.

Unless this was some roundabout way to do it.

Still, I knew I needed to play along.

“First of all, I don’t hate cats, but if I did ... Well, I would keep it. I missed out on a lot as a kid when I was bouncing around homes. Eric gets what he wants. ”

“See?” Kerry said. “I told you.”

Nicole ignored her and slowly nodded.

Kerry gave a thumbs-up, but she wasn’t looking at me. She was looking out the window. I followed her line of sight and saw a flash of golden-brown hair.

Had everyone lost their minds?

“I hope that clarifies things,” I said slowly.

“Yes. It does.”

I looked back out the window again, but there was nothing. “I’m ... gonna go. Nice talking to you.”

“You too,” Nicole said.

“Are you sure there’s not a cat?” I asked. “If it’s outside, I could get it.”

“No cat,” Nicole said. “But at least I know who to call if there ever is one.”

I blinked, still unable to make sense of the purpose of that question. I walked over to Eric.

“Are you friends with my teacher now?” he asked as he grabbed my hand.

“No, I think this entire town has finally lost their collective minds,” I muttered. “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.”

“You seemed mad this morning.”

I had been. The betrayal was fresh. It still hurt to think about, though I was more worried about how people would act.

It turned out the answer was far weirder than I expected.

I could deal with weird.

“I’m fine,” I said. “Let’s get you home and get you a snack.”

“Will Mollie be there?”

I hadn’t seen her since this morning. I wasn’t sure if I could handle it. “I don’t think so. It’s just the two of us.”

Eric sighed. “Fine. But I wanna show her my art.”

I didn’t blame him. Even while mad, I still thought about her throughout the day. I didn’t think I knew how to stop .

Which meant she and I needed to talk as soon as she got back from wherever she’d gone.

When Mollie didn’t come home, I grew worried. I’d asked for space, but she didn’t need to leave the house. Or worse, the town.

As time ticked by, I thought back to everything I had said to her. In my anger, I knew I hadn’t been the nicest, but I hoped there was nothing that would have made her leave permanently. Eric was attached.

So was I.

I sat on the couch as the night grew into the morning, hoping to see her come back. If she hadn’t by the next day, I would start asking people if they’d seen her.

I must have dozed off at some point, because my eyes flew open when I heard the front door shut. I was lying down when she walked in, a massive folder in her hand.

“Where were you?”

She yelped and dropped the folder on the ground before turning to me. “Cain! You scared the shit outta me.”

“Likewise, princess.” I eyed her. She was in the same clothes as yesterday. “Where the hell were you?”

She knelt and picked up the papers. “I was giving you space. Among other things.”

“And you were out all night?”

“Well, it took a while to get everyone—I mean, every thing , done.” She stood. “Here you go.”

“What’s this?”

“Papers. Ones you should read. I don’t expect this to fix everything between us, but I wanted you to have them.” She gave me a smile and then stepped away. “Once you see what they are, I’ll go back to giving you space.”

“And space means what exactly? Because I thought you were gone.”

“I wasn’t gone. Just busy. But if you want me to leave?—”

“No,” I cut her off. “I didn’t … next time I say I need space, just let me go outside. You don’t have to run.”

“Funny. That’s not the first time I’ve heard that in the last twenty-four hours.”

“When did you hear it the first time?”

“Don’t worry about me,” she said, shaking her head. “You should open the folder.”

“But—”

“Cain,” she said firmly. “Open it, and things will make sense.”

I wanted to work this out, but she seemed oddly focused on whatever this was. Slowly, I flipped open the folder and saw a handwritten note stacked on top of a ton of other handwritten notes. I picked up the first one.

To whoever,

Cain is a grade-A asshole, but not about that kid of his. Or his girl. In fact, to those who don’t piss him off (not me) he’s a really good guy. You should definitely let him keep Eric.

Hugh Jeffries

I blinked. Was Hugh complimenting me? At the bottom of the page was another note in different handwriting.

Cain, this one is for your eyes only. Do NOT send this to your lawyer—Mollie

“What did you do?” I asked slowly.

“Keep going,” she urged.

To Judge Marlon,

As a father myself, it was shocking to hear that Cain had taken in a child three years ago, but it shouldn’t have been.

I admit that I missed it, but he is truly a kind soul.

He’s dedicated to Eric and always has been.

He’s more dedicated to the success of his child than many biological parents are.

I see Eric growing into a fine gentleman, especially with Cain as his father.

Please accept this as my formal recommendation of his character.

Atticus Thompson

Judge Marlon,

I may not have been in town as long as some other letters you’ll get, but I’ve seen a lot of Cain around town.

I know his type. He’s guarded and takes a long time to warm up to people.

But I do know that once someone has his trust, he’ll do anything for them.

And Eric is the one person that has that.

I know terrible parents. Cain isn’t one of those.

He’s the kind of parent I wish I had. Don’t take Eric from a good home based on biology alone. Keep Eric where he’s happy.

Theo Murf

Judge Marlon ,

I’ve known Cain since he was an angsty high schooler who hated us all.

To say that he’s grown is an understatement.

He’s a dad. Through and through. It’s honestly kind of cute, and it’s a reminder that anyone can be the kind of parent a kid needs.

He comes into my store all the time to get the candles and soaps that Eric loves.

Every time, Eric is so happy to spend time with him.

I may not have kids, but I know when they’re well taken care of. And Eric is. There is no better place for him to be than with Cain.

Sincerely, Jade Clark

To Judge Marlon,

I’m currently Eric’s teacher in kindergarten and have also known Cain since high school.

I wasn’t sure what to expect when I saw I would be teaching the boy Cain is raising, but I can’t lie and say I was excited.

Once upon a time, Cain was a very difficult man to get along with. I expected the same from Eric.

I couldn’t have been more wrong. Eric is bright, kind, and so willing to learn.

He’s progressed more than any other student in my class, and not just because of his own dedication.

Cain has been willing to do anything for Eric since day one.

That includes talking to moms he doesn’t get along with.

Volunteering for events when he doesn’t have the time.

Eric has done everything a child can do and more with Cain helping him every step of the way.

I urge you to consider this in your decision. In all the ways that matter, Cain is Eric’s father.

Sincerely, Nicole Rudder

“Wha—I don’t understand. Nicole hates me. ”

“She changed her mind.”

“ How? ”

Mollie stepped forward and pulled out another letter.

“This is how.”

Dear Cain,

I would say this myself, but Mollie warned me you might still be angry and need space. She’s a real voice of reason! Though, I couldn’t let myself not say anything to you, even if it’s a letter.

I’m sorry I said what I did. I shouldn’t have gone to Facebook with your information. To me, we’re all a family. I want us all to talk about everything, but Mollie made me see that what I want isn’t what everyone else wants. That means respecting each other’s boundaries.

And beyond that, I had the wrong idea about you. Apparently, you protected Jackie when she needed it (and no, that will not be in the Facebook group!) and you also make her smile. For that, I owe you a thank you. And an apology.