On the first weekend after he arrived at the Song estate, Tommy was still wary. The bedroom he had been given was almost as big as the studio apartment he and his mother rented. His bed was too soft, and he couldn't imagine ever having enough clothes to fill up his wardrobe.
Every morning, he woke up to the sound of birds chirping, rather than the overlapping sounds of cars honking and pedestrians shouting outside his apartment building. He would get up, and look out his window, often spotting a gardener or two working the rose garden and vegetable patch. Each day that he awoke in that ridiculous king-sized bed, he was surprised to find himself in that castle, and not at home with his mum.
It became a routine for him: make his bed, brush his teeth (he had his own bathroom now), and tiptoe down the stairs to the kitchen. Sera would have already left the house, off to a shoot or back at her office, so he would have a couple of hours alone before James would arise, or Evie would stumble in with a sleepy expression.
That morning was different. When Tommy walked into the kitchen, Sera was sitting at the island counter, sipping from a cup of black coffee, and reading a book.
She looked up, sensing his presence and her face broke into a warm smile, the one that he had seen so many times mirrored on Evie.
"Looks like we finally have another early bird in this family," she said, glancing at the clock.
"Since it's a Saturday, you can expect Evie to be up at 11 if we don't wake her," she said with an exasperated smile.
Tommy didn't know how to reply.
"Would you like something to eat? I can make you an omelet." She had already put down her book and gestured toward the seat beside her.
He could see that she was trying, really trying. "Yes, please."
Her smile brightened, and she hopped off her chair to prepare his breakfast.
"Do you like to read? James tells me you have excellent grades, particularly in English."
Tommy glanced at the novel on the counter, spread apart to keep her place in the book, covers facing the ceiling.
"I like Jane Austen. I haven't read Sense and Sensibility though."
Sera turned to him in surprise, taking in the lanky 13-year-old boy, who apparently read Austen. He was staring at the cover, eyes scanning over the synopsis. She recognised that hungry, curious demeanour; saw it in herself. "You can read it if you like. I'll be done with it soon."
"Really?" Tommy looked up with wide eyes.
"Of course. In the meantime, check out the family room," she said, almost knowingly. "It contains all the books I've collected over the years. Take whatever you want. They're yours now too."
That morning was the first time Tommy felt truly understood by a person. Birds of a feather, James would call them. In the months and years to come, they would spend hours in that room together, perfectly content, just reading. Sera tucked in her favourite spot by the window, and Tommy lazing on the luxuriously soft couch by the fireplace. It was an escape for the both of them, a place where words didn't need to be said, but shared comfort could be found.
YOU ARE READING
Growing Pains
Romance"You left me. You. left. me. You ran away. How do I know that you won't do it again the next time something goes wrong?" As kids, Evie, Tommy and Abel were best friends. Kind-hearted Evie brought Tommy and Abel under her wing. Until one horrible da...
