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I suddenly reach out, grab his shoulders, and pull him toward me. I think I startled him as I feel him stiffen, but then, as my arms wrap around him, he sags against my chest. I continue to hug him to me tightly. I feel like the Grinch as I swear my heart expands to three times its size.
We stand like that for a few minutes. Finally, I loosen my hold, and he steps back. I pretend not to see the sheen in his eyes. My own are suspiciously wet, as well. I reach out and purposely ruffle his hair, something I hated my parents to do. I do it just to break the poignancy of the moment. It works as he gives a lopsided grin and ducks back out of reach.
“Come on, let’s go grab a burger,” I say with a grin.
As we walk past my admin’s desk, Suzanne looks up curiously. Her wide eyes go from me to the preteen at my side. I’m not ready yet to discuss this with anyone. It’s too new, too personal, too overwhelming.
I keep my face blank as I say, “I’ll need you to cancel my appointments for today.” I stop and glance over at Connor. “Actually, I’ll need you to cancel everything for the rest of the week.”
She nods like the request is not that unusual and offers me a small smile. “Of course, Carson. I’ll ensure you’re not disturbed for the rest of the week.”
“Thanks. We’re going to lunch now, and I won’t be back this afternoon. I’ll give you a call tomorrow to discuss my schedule. Thanks, Suzanne.”
“Carson, please don’t worry about a thing. Nothing is pressing that I or your brothers can’t handle.” I nod my thanks as Connor follows me into the elevator.
I drive to a restaurant near the office that’s known for its burgers. Once we get in the car, Connor stows his backpack in the backseat. As I drive out of the parking garage, Connor looks around the interior of the car.
“Nice ride,” he says lightly.
I grin, “Thanks.”
We walk into the restaurant and take a seat. When the waitress comes around, Connor orders a double cheeseburger with fries and a soda.
“I’ll take the same but with onion rings and an iced tea,” I say as I hand her the menus.
After the waitress leaves, Connor puts his elbows on the table and props up his chin as he looks around, then glances back at me like he doesn’t quite know what to say.
“So, tell me about yourself. How’s school? What type of sports are you into?” I smile as that seems to be all the incentive he needs.
He grins and starts slowly, but soon, he’s talking quickly as he starts to open up.
“My friend Jeff, he’s back in Lauderdale. He and I used to shoot hoops after school. Next year, I’ll be in Junior High, but in Orlando.”
“Why did you move from Ft. Lauderdale to Orlando?”
“Mom wanted a change.” He shrugs his shoulders, “She’s been wanting to move out of Lauderdale for years. She said our house was a maus… mausa… you know, like a museum.”
“A mausoleum?”
“Yeah, that’s what she called it. Said it felt like a tomb.”
“It was just you and your mom?” I ask carefully.
“Yeah. Mom and I lived in one wing of the house. Graham used to live in the other until he died.”
The waitress delivers our meals. After she leaves, I watch as a starving Connor takes a massive bite out of his cheeseburger, scoops up a handful of fries, and devours them. Next, he reaches for the ketchup and squirts out a hefty helping onto his plate. After that, he drags each french fry through the ketchup before placing it in his mouth.
“Graham? Did he raise you?” I ask gruffly.
“Nah, well, I mean… I kinda remember him. He was nice and all, but he was always sick. Mom was constantly taking care of him.” Connor looks up at me curiously, “Did you know him?”
“No. I never met the man,” I say in a tight voice.
“Well, Mom wanted to move right after he died, but it took a long time for his estate to be settled. It was weird. One day, when I got home from school, Mom said she’d put the house up for sale and that we were moving. Then we did.”
“What made you get the DNA testing?”
Connor frowns down at a now-drowning french fry. He picks it up, gets ketchup all over his fingers, and pops it in his mouth. He licks the remaining ketchup off his fingers, leaving a smear on his chin.
