Everlasting (Unrestrained 6)

When lunch was ready, we sat down at the island and ate our food. Sophie sat in her chair and I spooned some food into her mouth between a spoonful of my own lunch into mine.

"Are you going to your studio this afternoon?" I asked, remembering that Kate had a few things to get for her studio. "You might as well while Sophie has a nap."

"Do you mind?" she replied, biting her lip like she felt guilty. "I'd love to finish getting a few things from the art supply store and I need a stool so I thought I might pop by. Then, we can spend the rest of the day together until we drop Sophie at my dad's for the night."

"That was my thinking."

Just then, my cell dinged, indicating a text message.

BRENDA: Do you have a minute? Wanted to pass something by you.

"Who is it?" Kate asked, leaning over my shoulder to check.

"It's Brenda. She sent me an email saying that she's in town staying at Maureen's and probably wants to know if Liam can come for a visit."

I connected the cell number beside Brenda's contact and waited for her to answer. She came on the line after the first ring.

"Oh, Drake, thanks for calling. I'm in town for a couple of weeks and have something delicate to discuss with you, but I can't right at this moment."

Her voice was soft like she was trying to hide her conversation with me.

A surge of adrenaline went through me at the possibility that Liam was sick.

"What's the matter? Is Liam okay?"

"He's fine. I really can't talk now, because he's here for lunch, but if you could come by and meet me for a coffee so we could talk while he's in school, that would be great."

"Sure, when would you like me to come by?"

"If you're free this afternoon, that would be best. Liam gets out of school after three and I usually pick him up at that point."

"What's this about, Brenda? I need to know something."

"It's about Maureen and Chris. Just come by and I'll explain everything."

I sighed. "Okay. I'll be there at two o'clock."

"That should give us enough time before Liam gets out of school," Brenda replied. "Thanks, Drake. I appreciate this. I know it's cloak and dagger but I don't want to say anything in front of Liam."

"You could text me the gist of it."

"Okay, sure. See you later."

I hung up and waited for her text. Within five minutes, my cell dinged and I read her text.

BRENDA: Chris is unhappy back in California and wants to go back to Indonesia. Maureen wants to go with him. She doesn’t think Liam can come because of his medical needs. I offered to keep him with me for part of the year, but that means he'll be coming to Manhattan with me. As his father, I think you're the logical one for Liam to live with, even if only part time. Maureen's not happy about that, but I think she's really depressed and isn't thinking straight. We need to talk strategy.

I showed the text to Kate and she gasped, her eyes wide.

"Oh, my God, Drake. How could she leave Liam like that? How could she consider it?"

I shook my head. "She must be depressed. People who are depressed sometimes can't think clearly. "She thinks she can't live without Chris."

"How can Chris force this kind of decision? He doesn’t deserve to have Liam as a stepson."

I shrugged and texted my reply.

DRAKE: I understand. She wants to go with Chris but can't take Liam because he's still under close observation and his remission is being monitored. Maybe after we're sure his remission is more permanent, he can go and stay with her for a while. He should be able to fly there and stay for a short time, but if it interferes with his school it might be best to stay with me in California. I'm sure Kate and I would be happy to have Liam stay with us, either per