Echoes of Summer

by Bastian, Laura D.

  Stephen didn’t look at her, and it was a good thing, because Madison wasn’t sure if she could maintain her cool in front of Milo. The idiot man knew she didn’t want him bribing her son, but apparently it didn’t matter what she said or thought. He would do whatever he wanted, no thought of how anyone else felt.

  “I have to run soon, got to catch my flight. I’ll talk to you later, kiddo. Okay?” Stephen said, bending down to Milo’s level. He opened his arms for a hug, and Milo hugged him quickly then picked up the Lego box again. “Go take that to your room so I can talk to your mom a second.”

  Milo nodded and rushed past Madison, slowing down long enough to lift the box and say, “Look, Mom. This is so cool.”

  Madison nodded but didn’t need to respond since the boy was off again, running toward his room. She looked up to see Stephen watching her.

  “I’m sorry to rush off like this, but I’ve already talked to Mr. Carlson, and he’s good with it. This offer is too good to pass up. I’ll be back for a follow-up consultation in a few weeks. I’m not worried about you. You’ve got these pitches down.”

  Madison watched him, waiting for something personal, an apology to her for leaving without closure to their relationship, but it was all about work and Milo. At least she knew where she stood with him. She didn’t speak, and he didn’t either. He shifted his weight onto another foot, then an alarm beeped, and he looked down at his watch.

  “I’ve got to go. I’ll keep in touch.”

  Madison nodded numbly. She didn’t want to expect anything from him. The less emotion she put into their strange relationship, the better she’d be.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Madison didn’t have much time to miss Stephen that next week. They’d scheduled two pitches that week, and she was left to do them all on her own, with Mr. Carlson watching as if waiting to see her fail. Carrie had called in sick for the first two days of the week, and Madison had taken care of the accounts and the pitches on her own, as well as reporting her ideas for the new clients to Mr. Carlson.

  She’d gone home exhausted each night and fielded questions from Milo as to whether she’d heard from Stephen or not. He’d only called twice so far, and the first time Milo had been asleep since it was past his bedtime. The second night, Milo was still at Karen’s while Madison had worked late finishing up a proposal for the executives meeting with her the next day.

  She’d texted him a list of good times to call, and he’d only replied with a thank you and nothing more.

  On Thursday, her phone rang, and when she recognized the number as Stephen’s, she handed the phone to Milo to answer, too tired and bitter to deal with the man. Milo talked to him for a few minutes then asked her if Saturday would be a good day for the zoo.

  She nodded sleepily, and Milo spoke into the phone. “She said yes.” He listened for a moment then turned to her. “He wants to know if you want to come.”

  Madison debated for a moment, but the idea of walking around a zoo on the only day she had off didn’t sound appealing. “No, buddy, I don’t think so.”

  “She said, no. So it’s just us.” Milo seemed eager, and Madison wondered how Stephen had reacted to the news. Milo hung up the phone and passed it back to her then left for his room, mumbling something about needing to find his book on lions so he could read up about them before he saw them again.

  Madison stared at the phone in her hand, contemplating on calling him back. She wanted to hear his voice, to know what he was up to, but he hadn’t asked to speak with her, and she would leave it at that. She could see him Saturday if she wanted. Or avoid him all together.

  If only she knew which she wanted more. She set the phone on the dresser and went to take a long shower.

  ***

  Stephen set the phone down, disappointed he hadn’t been able to talk to Madison. He’d been surprised to hear Milo answer the phone, but it was good to talk to the kid. He missed him and couldn’t wait to get this job done so he could return to California. But the consulting fee on this account would make it possible for him to take some time off once it was completed, so he could pursue Madison full-time.

  He’d had her back in his life for just a short time, but she’d worked her way into his heart so deep he knew he couldn’t let her go again. And with Milo cementing them together in a way he didn’t know was possible, he longed to make them a family. Milo would be all for it, but Madison would take some tender care. He had his past to overcome.

  He stared at the phone, realizing he’d just done the same thing. Left her during a time of stress and upheaval in her life. He pressed the button to call her, needing to speak with her, to assure her he wanted to stay in touch, that he wouldn’t be gone forever and would return if she’d have him. But the phone just rang until it went to voicemail.

  He didn’t dare leave a message, not knowing what to say without coming off as a rambling idiot. He turned it off then sent a text instead.

  I miss you.

  He hoped to see a response, but nothing came.

  He leaned his head against the back of the hotel chair. He’d screwed up good this time and hoped she wouldn’t take him leaving for a job as an indication he didn’t care about her.

  He worked long hours each day, hoping to get things wrapped up as soon as possible so he could return and see her in person. She’d obviously avoided his phone calls, either by letting them go to voicemail during the workday or by passing the phone to Milo in the evenings when he called. At least she let him speak to the boy.

  He sent texts daily, asking about work, asking about Milo, asking about how the weather was, trying to get some kind of response from her, but they were never answered. The silent treatment was eating at him, but he persevered. He even ordered an exotic blend of tropical flowers to be delivered to her at work and hoped they would help when he returned.

  Saturday morning, Stephen headed to the airport, and when he reached the on-ramp for the freeway, he groaned and turned on the local news radio. A multi-car accident had the freeway backed up for hours, and it would be almost impossible to make it to the airport in time to make his flight, given all the traffic overflowing onto the side streets.

  He called the airline and checked on his flight to see if he could change to a later one, but they had no openings until later in the afternoon, which would put him too late to take Milo to the zoo today.

  “Would you like me to transfer your seat?” the woman on the phone asked.

  “How many seats do you have?”

  “One moment.” Stephen could hear sounds on the other end of the phone, then she came back on. “I’m sorry, sir, but it seems like that flight has just been booked full. We do have openings for tomorrow.”

  Stephen heaved a breath of frustration. “I’ll look into it and call you back. Thank you for your help.” He hung up the phone and called Madison’s number. It rang a few times, then her groggy voice came on. Crap, he’d woken her up.

  “Hello?”

  “Madison, hi. Sorry to wake you. I’ve got bad news. I can’t make my flight today and will need to reschedule with Milo. Can you tell him?”

  “What?” Her voice sounded a little more alert.

  “I can’t make my flight back to California. I will need to reschedule the zoo with Milo.” He inched the rental car forward on the freeway, trying to merge onto the road so he could get to the next off-ramp and get out of the traffic mess. “I hate to do this, but it really isn’t my fault.”

  Madison’s voice was flat. “It never is. Look, don’t bother letting your son get in the way of your life. He’s done fine without you so far. I’m sure he can manage without you again.”

  “That’s not fair,” Stephen said.

  “Life isn’t fair, Stephen,” Madison replied. “Get over it and move on. We did.”

  She hung up the phone, and Stephen swore. He hit the redial button, but she wouldn’t answer him.

  “Fine, be that way. But you won’t keep me from seeing Milo.”


  He called the airline back and scheduled a flight for Sunday morning then sent a message to his client that he would need to take a couple personal days at the beginning of the week but would keep in touch through emails and Skype. He wouldn’t let this setback keep him down long.

  He needed to do some planning and figure out a way to get back into her good graces, at least for Milo’s sake, even if she really didn’t want anything to do with him. He would not abandon his son.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Stephen knocked on the door to Madison’s house Sunday mid-morning. Her car was not in her driveway, so maybe she was gone. He texted her, hoping at least it would go through.

  We need to talk. I’m at your house.

  He watched the little bubble on his phone indicating she was responding. Finally. When the answer came through, he scowled.

  Lucky for me, I’m not.

  Her words stung, and he struggled with what to say. He couldn’t antagonize her, but he wanted to tell her off. He breathed slowly for a bit, staring at his car against the curb. He sat down on her steps, ready to wait for her.

  What do you want? She asked after a moment.

  I have a commitment to keep with Milo. I’d like to take him to the zoo today if he’s available. He paused then sent a follow-up message. You don’t have to come if you don’t want. I can handle being the parent.

  The bubbles indicating she was texting him stopped, and he waited for her response.

  The bubbles started again and she replied. We’ll be back in an hour. You can either wait there, or I could drop him off at the zoo, and you can meet him at the front gate.

  The zoo would be great. See you there.

  Stephen tucked his phone in his pocket and headed to his car. It would take him probably thirty minutes or more to get to the zoo. If they met there, it would allow him more time with Milo. This wasn’t the perfect solution, but it would work for now.

  He made his way to the front gate, debating on buying two or three admittance tickets. He didn’t want to force Madison to come, and it would make for an awkward date if she didn’t want to be there. He decided to wait and see how things went when they arrived. As he waited, he pulled out his phone and did a few business things and was happy to see the new client wasn’t hounding him with frivolous emails.

  “Dad!” Milo’s little voice called out, and Stephen lifted his head. Milo ran toward him wearing the little backpack he always had with him and grabbed Stephen in a big hug. He gripped the kid tightly and lifted him off the ground.

  “Hey, kiddo.” Stephen looked up to see Madison standing near the curb on the sidewalk by her car. She hadn’t parked and walked over, but had just dropped him off, indicating she didn’t want to be with them.

  He waved at her. “Thanks.”

  Milo looked at her then back to him. “She said she wants me home by seven.”

  “Seven.” Stephen nodded, looking into Milo’s face. “Got it.” He turned his attention back to Madison. “Seven, it is.”

  She nodded then walked around her car without another word to him. Is this where they were now? Communicating through their child? How did he let it get to this?

  “Thanks for coming back. I didn’t think we’d be able to do it. I can’t wait to go see the lions. Can we go in now?”

  Stephen set him down and took his hand as they walked over to the ticket counter.

  ***

  Madison pulled away, and as she took the turn around the parking lot toward the exit, she couldn’t help watching the two dark heads leaning toward each other as they talked. Milo looked small in Stephen’s arms, just like a little boy should when being held by the father he adored.

  As angry as she was at Stephen for abandoning her again, she couldn’t keep the two of them apart. Milo had been so disappointed that Stephen had called to postpone again. When she’d told him about the text from Stephen earlier that day, he’d shouted with excitement and begged to leave right away to go meet him. Part of her wished she could have gone with them to watch them together and see how good they were for each other.

  But she’d over reacted again when he’d canceled. She didn’t blame him for just ignoring her and spending his attention on Milo. It was how it should be. Milo needed his dad more than she needed a man.

  ***

  Stephen had a blast. He couldn’t remember ever enjoying the zoo more than he did with Milo. They’d seen everything there was to see and had returned to the lion exhibit twice. Milo had been so enamored with the animal that Stephen bought one of the stuffed lions at the little gift shop next to the enclosure.

  Milo named it Claw, and Stephen smiled. At least it wasn’t Liony like he would have done at that age.

  As they drove home, Milo fell asleep in the back seat, holding the stuffed lion close. Hopefully, it would help him remember his dad while they were apart for now. He wished he could have talked to Milo about Madison but didn’t think it was the right time to pester the boy for details about his mother. Besides, he didn’t want to hear about what she’d said to Milo about him.

  When he pulled up at her house, the front porch light was on, and though it wasn’t dark, the sun would be setting before long. He was late and wondered how much trouble he’d be in for not getting Milo home by seven. The traffic had been bad for a Sunday evening, and they’d gone to get something for dinner after the zoo closed at six.

  But if he was in trouble with her, at least he’d scored some points with Milo. He opened the door, poked his head into the back seat, and gently shook Milo awake. “Hey, kiddo, we’re home.”

  Milo struggled to wake up but leaned his head back against the seat. He must have overdone it. Stephen made sure Milo had ahold of Claw and his backpack, picked the boy up out of the car, then kicked the door closed with his foot.

  When he reached the front door, Madison opened it without him even needing to knock. She raised her eyebrow.

  “Sorry, guess we just didn’t know when to quit.” Stephen adjusted Milo over his shoulder a little better. She stepped back, and Stephen entered the house. “Should I just take him to his room?” Stephen asked.

  She nodded, so Stephen carried him into the room. Madison’s phone rang, and Stephen watched as she turned around and answered the call.

  “Hey, Momma. How are you?”

  Stephen’s gut clenched. She was talking to her mother. Did Lorna know he was back in her daughter’s life? He stood frozen in Milo’s room after laying the boy on his bed. His hope for a moment of privacy with Madison wouldn’t go over well tonight. He stepped out of the room and walked down the hallway to see Madison’s back turned to him as she stood in her kitchen talking to her mother.

  He let himself out, not wanting to interrupt. He would have to figure out another way to get her alone.

  ***

  Madison took a slow breath. She loved her mother, she really did, but the woman had called at the wrong time. She needed to talk to Stephen. She had to set things right.

  “Mom, I don’t have a lot of time to talk right now. Can I call you back?”

  “Oh, right. Sorry dear. Yeah, you can call back, but I did want to let you know Dad and I were thinking of taking a trip to see you guys.”

  “You’re coming here?”

  “Yes. Dad’s done the last of the bailing this season, and he wanted to make a trip to the coast then head up and see the Redwoods. We wanted to know if you and Milo wanted to take a trip with us.”

  Madison pinched the bridge of her nose. “That sounds fun, but I just got promoted at work, and I’ve got a lot on my plate right now. I’d love for you to stop and see us, of course, but I don’t think I can take the time off work right now.”

  “That’s great, honey. You deserve a promotion. You’re so good at what you do.”

  “Thanks, Mom.”

  “What about Milo? Maybe we could take him with us. Give you a break. Being a single parent has to be tough. I don’t know how you do it.”

  Madison took a slow br
eath. Her mother had often remarked on how brave she’d been to do this alone, but now, it just reminded her of how much she’d lost because of listening to her parents’ advice. “We can talk about it later, Mom. I’ve got to go. Text me the dates so I can see if there’s anything Milo can’t miss.”

  “Will do. Have a good night, Beatrice.” Her mother still refused to call her Madison, but since she was the one who’d named her, she got a few more privileges than others would.

  “Night, Mom.” Madison hung up the phone and turned around to go find Stephen. When she entered Milo’s room, she wasn’t surprised Stephen wasn’t there, but as she entered the front room, she realized he had left without a word. Was it really only about Milo for him, or was she blowing her chance?

  Madison sank into the couch and stared at the black screen of her television, empty and just as dark as the cloud that had settled over her soul.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Stephen returned to Oregon on Monday, though he had planned to stay in California for the first part of the week. He didn’t dare press his luck and ask for a few more days with Milo. Not after having returned him home late on their first outing, the same night her mom had called. Madison had probably told her mom all about his irresponsibility, making a mountain out of a molehill.

  And with the call he’d gotten from his client, he knew he could get their project wrapped up quicker if he returned in person. Fast enough that he could probably be back home by Friday. Then he’d take some time off work to make his case to Madison.

  He worked like mad during the day, calling Milo in the evenings, not surprised anymore when he answered Madison’s phone. At least the calls went through and she hadn’t blocked him.

  “How was your day, Milo?” Stephen asked on their Wednesday call.

  “Good.”

  “Do anything fun?”

  “Yeah, played with Legos.”

  They talked about the Legos for a few minutes, then Stephen asked what his plans were for the last couple weeks of summer. He’d be starting school soon, and Stephen hoped to be settled in the area so he could be a part of it.