Page 88 of Palm South University: Season 2

“Well, I wouldn’t know.”

Clinton and I exchange questioning glances. “What do you mean, Baby Bear?” I ask.

He sighs, his dark fingers fidgeting with the straps of his backpack. “She never came home in December. Neither did Carleton.”

Shit.

Clinton’s anger disappears as all emotions drain from his face. It’s the palest I’ve ever seen him. “Are you telling me you’ve been living with Mac since December and you haven’t told me?” Clayton doesn’t dare answer and I don’t dare move. I’m almost afraid to breathe.

For a moment, Clinton just nods, short little nods as his eyes scan the airport, looking everywhere but at Clayton. He chews the insides of his lips and I see the wheels spinning.

“I’m coming home with you. Right now.”

“No!” Clayton yells at the same time as I grab Clinton’s arm.

“Bear, just relax a second.”

“Skyler,” he warns and I pull my hand away. He turns his attention back to his brother. “I’m coming. End of story.”

“Please, don’t.” Clayton’s eyes brim with tears, his age showing more than it has all weekend. I keep forgetting he’s only thirteen. That realization only makes my heart ache more. “You’re the only one in our family who has their shit together. I can’t wait to get out of Pittsburgh and be with you. If you come home and throw this semester away, you’ll fall back and have to take extra classes to catch up or stay another year, and that’sifyou even ever come back. I don’t want that for you, for me, for either of us.”

“I’m not going to let you live by yourself. Without a mom, without any fucking family.”

“I have a family,” he pleads. “Mac and his sister and their parents. They make dinner every night, did you know that? I didn’t think anyone did that anymore.” He smiles, his eyes still glossy, his movements animated as he tries to make his big brother see his side. “And we play video games and go do fun things on the weekend. There’s no smoke in the house, no drugs, no fighting.”

Clinton crosses his arms, still staring somewhere behind his little brother. Suddenly, his eyes grow wide. “Where are the boys?”

I snap my attention back to Clayton, the realization that Carleton has two sons hitting me as hard and fast as it hit Clinton.

“They’re with Tara. They’re okay, she’s taking care of them. I see them on the weekends.”

Clinton exhales a breath, letting me know it’s okay I do the same. I think Tara is the mom, but I’m not sure. My eyes find Clinton again. Noting his steadier breathing, I take the opportunity to give my input.

“Bear, he’s right. You can’t just leave Palm South. I know this isn’t easy to hear, but look at Clayton.” I point in his direction. “He’s fine. He’s better than fine.”

“I should be there for him.”

“Youare,” Clayton emphasizes. “By being here and being the man I hope to be, you’re there for me. That’s what I need from you right now.”

I nod, still not believing how wise Clayton is for such a young kid. “Listen, let’s plan a trip home to see him this summer. You can see where he’s staying and if you decide then that it’s not good enough, then you can stay. I won’t even ask you twice to come back.” The words sting as they leave my lips, but I know they’re necessary. Clinton needs to hear that he has options, especially when it comes to the last family member he really cares about.

“I’ll have Mac’s mom call you as soon as I get home so you can talk. She’s been wanting me to tell you.”

“But you didn’t,” Clinton throws back.

“And this is why.”

Clinton shakes his head, his arms still tight over his chest. When his eyes turn to mine, they ask me for permission I’m not sure I can really give. But I smile, giving a short nod to let him know I think it’s okay—and truly, I do.

Blowing out a long breath, he pulls his little brother into him and crushes his arms around the smaller version of himself. They hold each other tight and I lean in long enough to ruffle Clayton’s curls.

“I’ll give you two a minute. Catch you later, Baby Bear. Don’t grow up too much before I see you again.”

“Afraid you’ll want to date me, Sky?”

Clinton finally laughs and I just shoot Clayton a wink before excusing myself. I wait on a small bench as they say their goodbyes, pretending to look through my phone, though I’m too aware of the moment being shared between them to really do anything else. After a while, Clinton makes his way back toward me and I stand to meet him, his eyes still not meeting mine.

Clayton waves at us once more as he hands his ID to the TSA agent and Bear sighs. Sliding my hand into his, I lean my head on his shoulder and he tightens his grip around my fingers.

“Everything is falling to shit, Skyler.”

I kiss his arm, squeezing his hand just once. “We’ll get through it together. We always do.”

He peeks down at me, the smallest smile curving over his lips as he tucks me under his arm. When Clayton finally disappears from view on the other side of security, Clinton pulls me all the way into him, his large frame folding into me. He doesn’t sob, but he clutches me tight, using me to steady himself.

“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he finally whispers, sniffling as he straightens once more. The left side of my mouth quirks up and I tug him toward the exit.

“Ditto, Bear. Ditto.”