As soon as Emmett started up the truck, all distractions made by Elana, ice cream sundaes, cows, and flashlights disappeared.
The closer they got to the cabins, the more nervous Kaden became. His heart was beating so hard when they pulled in the circle drive, he was certain Emmett could hear it over the sound of the truck’s motor. The white pickup sat in front of Cabin Five. The cabin’s door stood open. A fan gently ruffled the curtains in its opened window, but there was not a breath of wind outside, and Kaden felt like he couldn’t breathe either.
Emmett pulled up in front of Gram’s cabin, put the truck in park, but left it running.
“Aren’t you coming in?” Kaden asked. He felt like he was going to be sick, all that ice cream on an empty and now nervous stomach.
“No, I don’t think so, mooo-cho things to do at home,” Emmett said, trying to lighten the tension. But when he looked at Kaden’s face, Emmett reached down and turned the key. The truck became silent.
Kaden sat there. He felt paralyzed. He didn’t think he could even open the door.
“Come on,” Emmett said. “Let’s get it over with.”
Kaden got out of the truck. Emmett put his hand on his shoulder as they climbed the porch steps. There was no sound except the steady hum of Gram’s fan coming through the screen door. Kaden opened the door and he and Emmett stepped inside.
Gram was sitting in the easy chair doing nothing. Just sitting. All alone. She stood up and put her hands on her hips.
“Where have you two been?” she asked gruffly, but before anyone could answer, she turned to Kaden. “Go to your cabin and wash up for dinner. I need to talk to Emmett.”
“But—” Kaden started to ask where his dad was when Emmett interrupted him.
“Do what your Gram says.”
Kaden started to protest again, but Emmett gave him a barely perceptible shake of his head. Kaden usually paid attention to Emmett’s subtle hints to keep quiet. This time, however, he ignored him and turned back to Gram.
“No,” he said defiantly. “I’m staying right here.”
“I’m only going to say it one more time. Go to your cabin.”
Kaden stared straight into Gram’s eyes. He was tired of being left in the dark.
“No. He’s my father and I want to know what’s going on.”
Gram looked surprised. She stared at Kaden but when she crossed her arms in front of her, she turned on Emmett. “I told you not to tell,” she said.
“He didn’t,” Kaden said. “I already knew. I saw him today at the tower.”
Now Gram was really perplexed. “You saw him?”
“Yes, and I’m not going to my room. I’m going to go see my dad. I know he’s in Cabin Five. What’d you do, tell him he had to go to his room, too?”
Suddenly the sound of a motor starting up came through the screen door. Kaden pushed past Emmett and darted out onto the porch just in time to see the white pickup spin its tires in the gravel as it turned onto the road toward town.
“Wait!” Kaden yelled, and ran after the truck. But the truck went around the bend before Kaden even got halfway down the circle drive.
Kaden stood, his hands balled into fists. He heard footsteps come up behind him. Gram put a hand on his shoulder, but Kaden jerked away and turned to face her.
“I had a right to see him! He’s my father!” Kaden exploded. “And I would have if it weren’t for you.” Tears of anger rolled down his cheeks.
“And you, too!” he yelled at Emmett. “You both treat me like I’m a baby. Always saying, ‘Go to your cabin, Kaden. Let’s get ice cream, Kaden.’ You’re always talking about everything except what’s on everyone’s mind. You don’t have to shelter me. I’m old enough to hear what’s going on. So, what else are you keeping a secret from me? Did you tell Dad to leave? Did you make him promise to stay away?”
Kaden had almost worn out his anger but when Gram said nothing, it rekindled.
“Are you going to answer me for once?” he said harshly, spitting out each word. “Why did he leave?”
Gram still said nothing. Even Emmett looked at her, waiting to hear her answer. But Gram just stared past Kaden and Emmett, looking down the empty road, almost as if she were looking for a different scene, the way a life could have been. After a few seconds, she turned and looked directly at Kaden.
“I’m sorry,” Gram said in the quietest and most sorrowful voice Kaden had ever heard her use. “I tried to talk some sense into him, but he’s not ready.”
“What do you mean, not ready?” Kaden asked, still angry.
Gram looked straight at Kaden and said, “Your father is not ready to see you.”