Deserted - Auctioned

All in the range of typical decisions one made on a road trip, right?

Speaking of…

Gray looked over toward the car again, and Mom sensed he had to go for now.

“I want to see you soon, sweetie. Okay?” She stepped in and hugged him. “What you’re doing for Jonas’s brother is amazing and so very you.” She looked up at him and touched his cheek once. “I’m so proud of you.”

Gray mustered a weary smile.

She took a couple steps back and fiddled with her car key.

It reminded him of something. “By the way, did you think I wouldn’t recognize your car? You might as well have strapped yourself to the gate.”

Mom spluttered a laugh and slapped a hand over her mouth. “I’m sorry. I was desperate, and I figured, if I park behind Lincoln’s truck…”

Gray chuckled.

After Mom had snuck forward for one last hug, she got in her car and blew him a kiss as she backed out.

Returning to the Wagoneer, Gray felt like a weight had been lifted off his chest. Maybe this had even been the best way to reunite with Mom. He hadn’t felt overwhelmed by his entire family coming at him; it’d been a quick, albeit tearful, hello—and a promise of more soon.

Jayden scooted back to the middle as Gray got back in the car.

Darius sent him a soft little smile of understanding.

“That was your mom,” Jayden stated. “Darius says she’s nice.”

“She’s awesome.” Gray smiled. “You’ll meet her soon.”

“I will?”

“Of course.” Gray inclined his head. “Whether you like it or not, you’re part of the family now.”

Jayden had no response to that other than a goofy grin.

Darius drove up to the gate where he showed the security guard Gray’s license, and then they were through. A smaller parking lot waited for them outside the house, and Darius pulled into the space closest to the entrance.

“Bags now or later?” Darius asked.

“Later,” Gray decided. His heart was as heavy now as it had been twenty minutes ago, but there was hope too. He had an amazing family here in Camassia, counting his extended family too, and that included Adeline. Jayden would discover that quickly.

By the time the three of them were heading up the steps to the main entrance, Adeline opened the door with a big smile.

“The lost son finally returns.” She hauled Gray in for a hug, surprisingly strong for her slight form.

“Is that Gray’s mom’s sister?” he heard Jayden whisper. “They look alike.”

Not really, other than that they were both short brunettes with more energy than they should have, considering they had big families and busted chops for a living.

“Please return Abel’s calls when you can, hon,” Adeline said and ended the hug. She patted his cheek. “He’s worried about you. Or text him. You know, whatever you’re comfortable with.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good.” Adeline turned her smile and attention to Jayden next. “You must be Jayden. I’m Adeline. It’s great to meet you.”

“Hi.” Jayden snuck closer to Darius.

Gray had witnessed Adeline work her magic with children before, so he kept his mouth shut for this part.

After ushering them all inside and Adeline giving Darius a warm welcome-home hug too, she gestured to the coat closet to the right. And shoes off, she reminded.

“I’ve prepared some snacks in the TV room upstairs,” she said.

The downstairs consisted of a big common area and hallways leading to private rooms, a cafeteria in the back, as well as the staff’s offices. Jayden took it all in timidly while Gray stowed away their jackets and shoes.

Adeline kept herself brief about the downstairs, perhaps not to overwhelm Jayden. This time, he didn’t hold back or hesitate. He grabbed Gray’s hand when they moved toward the stairs.

“Oh, and I explain this to everyone,” she added over her shoulder. “Some of our residents have been through a lot and need peace and quiet, or else they might get scared, so we try to keep it down in the TV rooms and common areas.”

Jayden nodded absently and eyed a woman and two kids watching TV on one of the couches.

On the way up the stairs, he whispered to Gray, “This doesn’t look like a shelter to me.”

Because it was private and run by a woman who knew how to raise money. Just last year, she’d talked her way into an invitation at the mayor’s private summer party, and she’d raked it in. As far as Gray knew, the woman didn’t take much of a salary for herself either. She didn’t have to, considering that Lincoln was well known in the music industry.

On the walls hung colorful pictures of past residents, some happy and in the middle of various activities, some somber and beautiful.

“Right in here.” Adeline stopped at a doorway leading to the TV room, and she wore her usual motherly smile. “It’s just gonna be us for a bit. Most of the residents are in the cafeteria.”