Page 123 of Finding Us
“Always, mate … always.”
I love that Mason has someone like Connor in his life, because I know how loyal and protective my brother is when it involves the people he cares about.
Connor opens the back door for me, and Mason slides into the passenger seat. There’s been no more public displays of affection since we left Melbourne, and I miss it. I desperately want to reach out and comfort him. Hold his hand, rub his back, hug him. Let him know he has me too, but he has enough going on right now, so I’ll bide my time.
When I was saying my goodbyes to my mother at the airport, she cupped my face, looked me in the eye, and said,“Forgive him, baby girl. I believe him when he says he’ll never hurt you. What you two have is special, anyone can see that. He loves you, and you love him, don’t throw that away over one little incident.”
I’m not sure when they had that discussion, but obviously they did. Maybe it was when I was upstairs talking to Blake. All I told him was that his dad’s mum has been missing for a long time, and that he just found out she’d passed away. He asked me a few questions, like was his mum nice, and even though I never knew her, of course I said yes. He also asked if his dad was sad, and again, I told him he was. When we went back downstairs, Mason was in the kitchen with my parents, and Blake ran straight to him.“I love you, Dad,”he’d said, hugging his leg.
“I love you too, buddy,”Mason replied, choking up.It was a poignant moment to witness.
It’s midmorning by the time we pull up outside the house. The three of us exit the car and stand on the sidewalk facing the property. There’re numerous vehicles present and police tape strung around the perimeter of the yard. My eyes follow a man in a white hazmat suit as he carries a large brown paper bag towards a white van that is parked in the driveway. The sight makes my stomach recoil.
I gaze up at Mason and find him watching the man also. Without giving it any thought, I reach for his hand, wrapping it in mine. I can feel that his is trembling when I do. My heart hurts for him, because this was my greatest fear for my mother when I was a little girl.
Once the hazmat guy disappears down the side of the property towards the backyard, my gaze moves to the expansive two-story brick house in front of us. It’s beautiful and vastly different to the one I grew up in, but it just goes to show that domestic violence is prevalent everywhere. Rich or poor, it doesn’t discriminate against class.
This home, with its perfectly manicured lawn, gardens, and fairy tale-like appearance, is a total farce. From the outside looking in, you’d never guess the horrors that unfolded behind those doors.
“Do you want to go out back?” Connor asks.
“I don’t think I’m ready for that yet,” Mason answers, turning his head in Connor’s direction. “I’ve been thinking about what you said concerning the will. I’ve decided I’m going to donate the entire estate to Bridge, and this place will be an extension of that. When the time is right, I’d like to make it a safe house. A place where battered women and children can come to escape their abusers.”
Oh, my heart.
That offer speaks volumes about the kind of person he is; he’s going through so much and is still thinking of others. I lift my free hand and swipe it under my eyes to catch the tears that are now spilling down my cheeks. What a beautiful way to take a tragedy and turn it into a positive. I know how much that will help not only the victims of domestic violence, but their children who’ve been forced to grow up in situations like we did.
God, I love this man.
Two days have passed since our return to Sydney, and Mason and I are back at the airport, picking up Blake and my parents. Connor and I have done our best not to leave Mason on his own during the day, but at night he’s been going back to his apartment alone.
He never ended up entering the property when we went there the other day; we just stood outside for a while, then left. He said when he’s ready he’ll go back, but I have no idea when that will be.
Tonight, we’re all going to Brooke and Logan’s for dinner, and Mason and Blake are invited. My parents wanted to visit them while they’re here. Brooke’s met Blake—I took him to the dance studio once—but not Mason.
“Dad,” Blake screams as soon as he sees us. He barrels towards us, and Mason catches him in his arms when he leaps forward. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too, bud.” I love the dynamic between these two.
“Hey, Jazzie,” he says when his father puts him down.
“Hey, cutie-pie. Did you have fun at Grandma and Jim’s?”
“Yes. I got new toys,” he replies, sliding off his backpack and dropping it to the ground so he can unzip it.
“Just what he needs,” Mason mumbles under his breath, “more toys.”
After I hug my parents, they move to Mason. My dad shakes his hand, and after my mother wraps him in her arms, she draws back and cups the side of his face. “How are you holding up, sweetie?”
“Good,” he says, but by the pitch of his voice, and the way his Adam’s apple bobs, I’d say he’s trying to keep his emotions in check.
We spend the afternoon at my apartment, and when it’s time to head to the Cavanagh’s, we split into two cars. Since Connor is coming with us, we won’t all fit in one. My parents opt to ride with him, and my mother practically shoves me into Mason’s car. She’s now on a mission to get us back together.
I think I’m ready to make that move too, but with everything else going on, I’ve yet to find the right time to broach the situation with him. I don’t want him to think I’m doing it out of sympathy either, because I’m not.
“I feel awkward coming tonight,” Mason says on the drive over. “I don’t even know these people.”
“They know all about you … well Brooke does.”
