Bad Things

Chapter 17

Blake was silently sitting at the kitchen table when Camila walked in.

"Blake? You're up early." Camila said. "What's up?" She sat down beside him.

The five year old looks up and just shrugs, sometimes it was hard for everyone to know what was wrong since he barely talked

"Blake, please speak to me." Camila asked softly.

Pointing at the book in front of him, Blake frowns.

"The book?" Camila asked, she picked it up. "What about it?"

Blake just points at the book again, looking up at Camila.

"Do you want me to read it to you?" Camila asked.

Nodding his head, Blake rubs at his eyes tiredly.

"Okay." Camila kissed his head and opened the book.

The five year old climbs onto Camila's lap and lays his head on her chest.

Camila read to Blake until the boy fell asleep almost an hour later.

"Hey, was he up?" Lucy asks softly.

Camila nodded. "He wanted someone to read to him."

A soft smile grows on Lucy's lips and she runs her hand through Blake's hair. "He's getting better."

Camila nodded in agreement.

"We just need to work with him on talking." The older girl says as she leans down and kisses Blake's forehead.

Camila nodded her head again. "He'll get it soon."

"He's five and he only knows a few words." Lucy responds softly.

"He'll get better." Camila said.

Sighing, Lucy looks into Camila's eyes. "Will he?"

Camila nodded. "He will, It'll just take time."

Blake shifts in Camila's arms and releases a soft whine.

"Shh." Camila gently ran her fingers through his hair.

The five year old opens his eyes and releases another whine.

"You're okay, Blake." Camila said softly.

Rubbing his eyes, Blake turns and reaches for Lucy.

Remi skipped into the room with her soccer ball tucked under her arm. She pulled on her soccer boots and walked to the back door, not even noticing Lucy or Camila.

"Where are you going?" Camila asks, watching her oldest try and sneak out.

Freezing, Remi looked like a dear caught in headlights. "Out." She said cautiously. "Into the back yard."

"Why are you sneaking out instead of asking?" Camila asks her calmly.

"You're busy and mom is asleep." Remi shrugged.

Sighing, Camila moves closer to Remi. "All you have to do is ask me, even if I'm busy."

Remi looked Camila up and down. "You're always busy."

"You can still come to me Remi." Camila says softly.

Remi shrugged and turned back to the door.

Grabbing Remi's hand, Camila kneels down in front of her. "Talk to me."

"About what?" Remi asked.

"Anything you want." The brown eyed mother says softly.

"I don't have much to say." Remi shrugged.