Breakfast held little interest for the inquisitive 5 year old. “What about when we’re on the rides? Ari can’t get on the rides-”
“Humphrey please!” Athena brought her fist down on the small table.
Humphrey silenced. Aaron looked around from where he sat bouncing a bear on the small, worn loveseat. Athena rushed to pull Humphrey into a fierce hug.
“I’m sorry, my love, so sorry. Mama was wrong to yell. A lady shouldn’t yell. I’m sorry. I love you. I love you and Ari so very much.”
“And Papa?”
Surprised by the child’s tenacity, yet recognizing it as a trait she shared, Athena smiled and nodded. “Of course, sweet boy. Of course.”
Humphrey didn’t look convinced. His wide brown eyes searched his mother’s face as though he were sure the explanation he wanted lay within. “I don’t see you and Papa talking. I don’t see you laughing.”
“Oh my Humphrey,” Athena cupped the little boy’s face and rubbed her nose to his. “So cute and smart. We’re just very busy, my bambino.”
“Is Papa mad at Uncle Geo?”
Her delicate brows drew close. “Un-Uncle Geo? Honey why? Why would-”
“Uncle Geo was hugging you-kissing you like Papa kisses you.”
“Baby,” mounting shock had the word expelling on a ragged sigh from Athena’s lips. “Honey no, you didn’t s-see that-”
“You were in the kitchen. On the big table beside the stove.”
The eagerly delivered explanation proved the 5 year old had his facts straight. The ‘big table’...Athena knew he meant the counter. He still hadn’t quite grasped using the word yet.
“Baby,” Athena smiled, happy that the word sounded just a touch steadier on her lips. “Did you tell Papa about this?”
“No Mama,” Humphrey said the words through a yawn.
“Listen to me, baby,” Athena squeezed one of Humphrey’s hands in hers. “Me and Papa are okay, you hear? You shouldn’t talk about this. Not to anyone, okay?”
“Okay Mama,” another less expansive yawn circled the words.
Athena put a quick kiss to Humphrey’s mouth. “Good boy. We put this in our secret box, okay? One for just the two of us and no one else.”
Humphrey gave an excited smile. “Not even Ari?” he asked.
Athena shook her head. “Not even Ari.”
Humphrey beamed and hugged his mother tight.
***
Liam remained home for the next few days. Part of it was because he hoped Athena would return with the boys or there would be some word on her whereabouts. The other part, and perhaps the truth of it, was because he didn’t trust himself to be on the streets. He felt like a weather-rotted piece of wood ready to snap at the slighted indication of pressure.
By day three, he could no longer tolerate his self imposed shut in status. He needed work to occupy his time, to keep his mind free from worry over his boys. Where were they? Were they safe? Had they slept?
He left the apartment glad to see that Nandi and the others had abandoned their self-imposed posts as overseeers. He left the building with no one being the wiser. His plan was to put in a few hours at the factory, but he feared being found there by his friends or worse, his brothers. He decided on an even longer drive than the one to the factory. With that in mind, he drove to the wharf.
Erica was on the way out of her uncle’s office when Liam arrived. He pulled up to the curb and tapped his fist to the truck horn. Erica’s head whipped round and despite the tufts of windblown ebony obscuring half her face, he could see the worry clouding her warm eyes.
Liam shut off the truck, stepped out and came round the sidewalk. “Erica.”
“It’s fine, I was just checking for the cab I called.”
“Well let me-”
“No it’s fine I-”
“Erica. Stop. I’ll take you.” She nodded which stirred Liam’s suspicion more than it already was. Taking her by the arm, he led her back inside and sat her on the small sofa in the office waiting area.
“What happened, Erica? Where’s Earnest?”
His question was answered by a flurry of sobs. “Hey?” He pulled her close and reached into his pocket for the handkerchief he’d had the foresight to take from his bureau.
Erica shuddered into the cloth and then dabbed at her eyes. “Thank you.”
“What happened, love?” Liam moved to cup her face then decided to tuck her hair behind her ear instead.
“There was another blow up with some of the men in Uncle Earn’s crew. Another mediation. Uncle Earn was handling the meeting when things turned nasty. Uncle Earn he-he tried to calm it, but only upset himself, his heart...” she sobbed into the handkerchief.
“Shh...” Liam kissed Erica’s temple. “It’s alright.”
“The men, they...they saw how foolish they were being and got Uncle Earn to the hospital. I didn’t want any of them to stay while I closed here.”
“Does your family know?”
