My mom smiled up at me and rested her other hand on top of mine. “You’re such a wonderful man, Calloway.”
My heart nearly burst at the unexpected affection.
“I know it isn’t much, and I’m sure you don’t wear this sort of thing, but…” She held up the finished scarf and placed it into my hand. “It’s all I have to give. I’d like you to have it.”
I felt the soft fabric in my fingertips, and instantly, tears burned behind my eyes. I hadn’t felt emotion like this since I was a child, an undeniable sensation deep in my gut. I hadn’t felt anything besides permanent numbness. “Thank you…” I hooked the black and blue scarf around my neck, not caring what anyone thought of me.
She smiled then shook Rome’s hand. “You give him beautiful children someday, alright?”
Rome chuckled. “I’ll try. It was so nice to meet you, Theresa.” Rome kissed her on the cheek then walked to the door.
I stayed in front of my mother, wanting to say more than just a generic goodbye. I wanted to thank her for all she had done for me when I was growing up. I never had the opportunity to show her the gratitude she deserved, for taking care of my laundry every day and putting food on the table. They were all little things, but they added up in time. Jackson and I were her entire life until she lost her mind. Coming here every week to read to her didn’t begin to repay everything she had done for me. “I’ll see you soon.”
I walked out with Rome and grabbed her hand, wanting the affection that would keep me stable. Emotion never came easy for me, but whenever I visited this facility, I walked out a little weaker than when I walked inside.
“She’s sweet,” Rome said. “How long have you been doing this?”
“About seven years.”
“You’ve been reading to the same woman for seven years?” she asked incredulously, eyeing me with surprise as we headed to the parking lot where the car was parked.
“Yeah.”
“And she doesn’t remember you?”
“Her mind resets every morning when she wakes up.” She didn’t remember my father or her two children. She didn’t remember where she was born. Her entire life never happened because she couldn’t remember it.
“Poor thing,” she whispered. “She’s lucky to have you, Calloway.”
I reached the car and opened the passenger door. “I’m her son. I’ll always be there for her.” I didn’t make eye contact with Rome after I said the words, knowing what kind of reaction I would get from her.
Rome was about to enter the car but stopped when she heard what I said. Her gaze moved to my face, and all the joy she’d possessed that afternoon disappeared. Sadness entered her expression, and her eyes immediately welled up with tears.
I finally looked at her directly, seeing my pain mirrored back at me. I had no idea why I’d brought Rome here today. I wasn’t sure why I told her the truth about my mother. For some reason, I wanted to share it with her, not to carry the pain on my own.
“Calloway…” She moved into my chest and hugged me around the waist, her face buried into my t-shirt. “I’m so sorry.”
I wrapped my arms around her shoulders, still wearing the scarf my mother knitted for me. “I know.” I moved my lips to her forehead and pressed a gentle kiss against her warm skin. “I know, sweetheart.”
Rome must have sensed I didn’t feel like talking for the rest of the evening because she didn’t say much. She sat with me on the couch, cuddled into my side with her head resting on my shoulder. She wore my sweatpants and t-shirt, looking sexy in the oversized clothes.
I watched TV but didn’t really pay attention to what I was watching. My mind drifted in a quiet moment, thinking about everything that had happened today. I didn’t know what possessed me to bring Rome to the assisted-living facility. There was no premeditated thought. I just decided to ask her—so I did it.
I was extremely quiet about my personal life. The only other person who knew about my mother was Jackson. And even then, I would have kept it a secret from him if I could. I pursued Rome because I wanted her to be my submissive, to obey all my commands without question. Yet, I did something I never would have done with any of my submissives.
What was wrong with me?
Rome moved up my chest and straddled my hips with her long legs. Her pussy was right over my cock, and within seconds, I would be hard, like always. She placed both of her palms against my chest and gently moved up and down, caressing me while looking into my eyes. There wasn’t any sympathy in her gaze, but there wasn’t a sexual appetite either. “Thank you for taking me with you today.”