Moments

rival, he wasn’t convinced he’d made the right decision for himself or for Mac’s. He had spent a long time at his desk yesterday simply staring at the Riley Corp. cheque Riley senior had left him.

“My son has had some problems with drugs in the past.” Riley senior had cut to the chase in their preliminary meeting without hesitation. “I want you to consider a placement here at your centre for him, and I am willing to pay.”

“I can’t offer a place here to anyone whose presence might compromise the security or integrity of the training centre. Your son needs to be clean.”

“He’s clean and has been for over a year. He is, however, a complete idiot who needs to grow up. More prison wouldn’t be right for him. He’s done his time, and learnt that lesson. Underneath all the posturing and the arrogance, I know I still have a son, and I think you and your centre will be what he needs.”

“So he made it to the expedited drug programme?”

“The court granted a continuance, and has set a date for the next hearing. A long trial would create a lot of expense. No one wants another Robert Downey Jr.”

“When is he due to appear again?”

“March third. My son is a very high-profile drug arrestee, Mr Myers.”

“I’ve no doubt he imagines he is,” Ethan had said, then had shut his mouth just as quickly. He’d known that he had to hear the man out. He had agreed to the meeting, so he’d needed to at least listen to the whole thing before turning the elder Riley down.

enough to give her time.

“Mr Myers,” she began timidly, casting a quick glance up to his eyes. Ethan nodded encouragingly, and she looked down at the floor. “I’m thinking now is the time for me to sign up for some classes here,” she said in a rush. Ethan smiled in genuine happiness at the momentous decision.

“I’m glad you want to start classes.” He sat back in his chair. “I’ll let Maria know so she can sort out a schedule and figure out some day care for Beth.”

“I can read, you know…” Isabella said. “Well, I can kinda read, and I would try really hard.”

“You’re going to do well, Isabella. I promise you,” Ethan replied.

“Thank you, Mr Myers.” Isabella shot him a quick grin then left what the staff affectionately called Ethan’s Cave.

Isabella’s news had made his day. Ethan felt more connected to the world when he was able to care for others. Taking in Isabella and Beth, giving them a home when they’d had none, gave him the opportunity to feel like he was making a difference in someone’s life. By just being themselves and letting him do things like walk the floor with Beth until her fever broke, those things filled him with hope and confidence that he was doing the right thing.

He looked around the room, at the posters on the wall, the books on the shelves, at the paperwork in its neat and ordered stacks on his cabinet. The Cave was peaceful. He mentally allotted himself ten minutes to shut his eyes, and sank into the quiet. But his thoughts immediately centred on today’s meeting. Ethan hated