"Amira, do you mind watching Kyle? I need to go talk to someone."

Amira glanced at the man then looked back to me in concern. She chewed her bottom lip slightly before smiling down at Kyle. "I'd be happy to. Kyle and auntie Amira will have a great time, now won't we?"

I took my time walking to Mr. Matthews. I didn't dare look away from his gaze. If I looked away, I feared he would judge me for being weak. When I finally arrived, he gave me a once over while making sounds of disapproval.

"I didn't think a person with morals such as yourself would come to the funeral." The harshness of his voice made me freeze. I eyed him from where I stood and slowed down my breathing.

"I wasn't the one that made him suffer on the street for years."

His eyebrows creased together, creating more lines to his already wrinkled forehead. "And I wasn't the one that turned him into a sissy."

I ignored the comment. "So, you paid for this? I'm surprised."

"He's still my goddamn son," he grunted.

"You haven't talked to him in years."

"I may not have approved of his lifestyle–" Lifestyle? "–but it was his decision to run away."

"You're telling me all that you did was justifiable?" I narrowed my eyes and he mirrored my expression. I knew what he did to Caleb. I remember him being fearful of me the first time we fought. Thinking that he would face harsher consequences when I was angry. It took me a long time to build that trust and this man was the one that made Caleb fearful of others.

"He needed to toughen up." I could only stare blankly at him as a response.

He took a long slow drink from his glass and he looked down into it sadly once he was finished. "I'm sad I didn't get to see the day that he could get married and have kids."

"What girl would he marry?" I said bitterly.

"That Amira girl seems nice. Maybe he could've settled down with her." I held myself from making a snarky comment. If he found out Amira was trans, I could only imagine his rage skyrocketing.

"Doesn't matter at this point. He's gone."

There was a pause.

"Tell me... did he ever mention me? After he left?"

"He did." I didn't expand on my answer and he closed his eyes in thought. His hand gripped the glass tightly as lips formed into a tight line.

"Thank you."

My eyes widened slightly in surprise and he ignored it. More silence filled the space between us until I heard a child's excited scream.

Kyle ran to me with Amira walking close behind. He hugged my leg once he arrived and held out a fist, indicating he had something for me.

"There was some candy and little Kyle here wanted to give some to you," Amira said.

Kyle nodded his head excitedly and then glanced at Mr. Matthews. His smile dropped and he suddenly hid behind my legs. It didn't feel like it was because of shyness like before. It was too fast of a reaction and his body became tense.

"He does? Well, let me see." I put on a false cheeriness and held out my hand.

The small hand reached out and plopped a small candy wrapped in a shiny plastic alongside a puzzle piece. My smile faltered for a moment.

"Oh, thank you, Kyle."

I wonder where all these puzzle pieces are coming from.