Talia stood beside him. Sunglasses. A magazine folded in one hand. She tapped her foot with impatient annoyance, as though bored by her own cruelty.
“You cannot cry all the time. It makes you look pathetic. Your father does not need pathetic. He needs someone who makes his life easier. You think he has time to take care of a little broken thing like you if you make it hard for him?”
Reese whimpered. It was not even a real sound. It was something smaller. A plea wrapped in fear.
Calvin’s vision blurred. His heartbeat was a roar. He stepped fully into the light.
“What do you think you are doing?”
Talia jolted as if struck. The magazine fell from her hand.
“Mr Weston. Oh my goodness. You are home early. I can explain. He had a tantrum. You know how stubborn he gets during therapy. He kept thrashing and I did not want him to fall so I just secured him for a moment. That is all. I was keeping him safe.”
Calvin did not look at her. He walked straight to Reese. The rope scratched his palms as he fumbled with the knots. His hands shook. He smelled fear on his son’s skin. Sweat and tears. The scent transported him to the delivery room ten years ago when he first held Reese and whispered promises into soft newborn hair.
It will be joy. It will be safe. I will protect you.
Talia took a step closer. “Sir. I did not mean harm. He just gets dramatic. He cries over nothing. You do not understand how exhausting his needs can be. I have given up my whole life for this job. You cannot imagine what it is like.”
Calvin cut through the last knot and pulled Reese into his arms. The boy’s breath hitched. He buried his face in Calvin’s shirt.
“Do not speak to me,” Calvin said softly. The softness carried weight like stone. “Not one more word.”
Talia pressed her lips together. Fear flickered across her features. She backed away but did not flee. That told Calvin more than any excuse. She thought she still had leverage.
Reese trembled in Calvin’s embrace. “I am sorry,” he whispered. “I tried to be good. I really did.”
Calvin’s throat closed. His grip tightened. “You are good. You are good every second of every day. Nothing that happened to you is your fault. I believe you. I believe everything you say.”
Talia’s face twisted with indignation. “You are making a mistake. If you fire me, nobody will take this job. They all quit. You remember that. It is too much for anyone to handle.”