A Son's Tale

“I’m glad that you’re finally doing what’s right,” George said.

“Just make sure someone is watching him until I get there, without letting him know there’s anything amiss. I want him to be able to finish the tryouts.”

“I’ve had men on him since Sammie ran away,” George said. “And the second this report came through this morning, I put them on Frank full-time, too.”

In the end, it paid to have an unemotional know-it-all for a father.

* * *

“I NEED TO TELL SAMMIE that he’s going to be staying with you,” Morgan said. She’d called the day care, Julie and Frank. She’d seen her mother. She’d read every word of the report on Caleb and Frank Whittier. She had two hours before she had to pick up her son from basketball. She was alone with her father again and ready to leave. “He’ll be less likely to resist if I tell him that this is my choice.”

“Okay.” Her father’s face hadn’t changed at all. If he felt compassion for her, it didn’t show.

“Promise me, Daddy. You’ll let me tell Sammie. You aren’t going to have one of your men show up to bring him home. They can watch Sammie but let me get him and bring him to you.”

“I give you my word.”

“I have to go see Cal,” she said.

“I don’t advise it.”

“I know. And I suspect you’re going to have someone following me, too, now, which is why I’m telling you up front that’s where I’m going. I… We… I have to break up with him.”

Her father’s chin tightened. “So he got to you personally? I thought he was dating some art teacher at the university.”

“It’s complicated.”

George straightened. “Life doesn’t have to be so messy, Morgan. I hope you realize that now.”

“After I see Cal, I’m going to pick up Sammie and bring him home to you and Mom,” she repeated, keeping her mind on the facts at hand and refusing to let her father get to her.

After all, he’d just possibly saved her son’s life.

At the door, she turned. “Thank you.”

* * *

CAL WAS IN THE À LA CARTE cafeteria on the west side of campus having a late lunch when Morgan’s ringtone sounded.

Since she almost never called him, it took him a second to realize what he was listening to. Dropping his burger on the paper wrapper in front of him, he grabbed his cell before he missed her call.

“What’s up?”

“I need to see you.” Her voice trembled as she spoke.

“Absolutely. When?”

“Now?”

He had a student meeting. He’d cancel it.

“Okay.” He was already on his feet, throwing away the rest of his lunch. “Where?”

“Your office?” He couldn’t tell if she was crying or not, but something was very wrong. And she’d called him.

“You’re on campus?”

“Yeah. In the parking lot.”