Page 69 of Bang

I still didn't see the humor. "And why is that funny?"

"Because," he said, "she's probably talking aboutyou, too."

I sure as hell hoped not.

Chapter 25

Cami

On the couch, Arden gave me a brief rundown of the Blastoviak family history, starting with the fact that their dad had a nasty habit of disappearing, sometimes for weeks, and sometimes for a whole lot longer. But he always came back eventually.

"But then," Arden continued, "the very last time he comes back, he stays only long enough to get the mom pregnant."

"With Willow, you mean?"

"Right. And according to Brody, as soon as their dad finds out that their mom's expecting another baby, he pulls a fade all over again, this time for good." Arden made a sound of disgust. "And then, the mom leaves too, the very next year."

I tried to imagine it. "So…she announces she's leaving? Just like that?"

"If only," Arden said. "No, whatshedoes is announce that she's going on vacation."

"Seriously?"

"Oh, yeah. And she tells her sons they've got to hold down the fort while she's gone."

Silently, I worked through the details. At the time, Mason, Chase, and Brody would've been young men, more than capable of being on their own. Even Brody, the youngest son, would've been nearing his high school graduation. With two older brothers in the house, he might've done reasonably okay.

But Willow? She'd been just a baby. With a frown, I asked, "But what about Willow?"

Arden winced. "Apparently, she was part of 'the fort.'"

"So the guys were supposed to be watching her?"

"Oh, yeah. And the mom warns them that if anyone finds out she's gone, the government will swoop in and take Willow away, like into foster care or wherever, so they'd better keep their mouths shut."

"God, what a witch."

"No kidding," Arden said. "But anyway, so she leaves, supposedly for just a long weekend. But then, her vacation keeps getting extended. And she's telling them, 'Just a couple more days.' And then it's, 'Just a couple more weeks.' Finally, when she's been gone for like three whole months, she tells them – in a letter, no less – that she's not coming back at all."

My jaw dropped. "Really? But why?"

"Well, according to Brody, she said she was done with the whole 'parenting thing.'"

I shook my head. "But you'reneverdone. Not really."

Arden gave me a look. "Sorry, but not everyone's parents are like yours."

Too late, I recalled who I was talking to. Arden's parents hadn't been all that terrific either. From what I'd gathered, they'd also spent plenty of time away, off doing their own thing.

I gave her a sympathetic look. "No.I'mthe one who's sorry."

"Don't be," she said. "I'm just saying, some people are different, you know?"

I did know.I thought of my own mom, and I felt a surge of gratitude as I considered how lucky I'd been. I made a mental note to call her tonight and thank her for, well, everything, I guess.

"But what about Mason and Willow?" I said. "How'dheend up with sole custody?"

"He insisted on it."