Chapter 18
Curtis’s lips quivered, and the unhappiness on his face deepened. Melissa quickly stepped in to smooth things over, her tone soft and soothing. “Curtis, remember what we talked about? ‘No talking during meals, no chatting before bed. If you talk too much while eating, you won’t grow tall. Daddy’s just reminding you.”
Curtis’s expression brightened immediately, and he nodded eagerly. “Got it, Mom! I’ll focus on eating and won’t say a word!”
After lunch, Melissa cleaned up in the kitchen before bringing out a fruit platter. She stepped into the living room to find Bradley and Curtis each in their own worlds-Bradley lounging on the couch, absorbed in his iPad, while Curtis sat on the floor, happily stacking blocks.
She set the fruit platter down with a soft smile. “Curtis, wash your hands before you eat.”
Curtis jumped to his feet with a cheerful, “Okay, Mom!” He hobbled off to the bathroom, his little steps uneven but full of
energy.
Bradley didn’t even glance up from his iPad as he said, voice low and firm, “It’s time.”
Melissa’s chest tightened. She knew exactly what he meant. Her emotions churned-grief, frustration, and a reluctant acceptance all rolled into one. She barely managed to whisper, “Alright.”
When Curtis returned, Bradley put his iPad aside and turned his full attention to the boy. “Buddy, there’s something I need to talk to you about.”
Curtis, unaware of the tension in the room, grabbed a strawberry and fed it to Melissa with a big grin. “Sure, Dad! What is it?”
Bradley’s sharp eyes flicked to the second strawberry still in Curtis’s hand, his expression unreadable. He didn’t continue
for until Curtis handed it to him. Only then did he speak, his tone steady but firm. “We’re getting ready to sign you up preschool. But for that, your name has to change. From now on, you’ll take my last name, and we’ll change your full name.”
Melissa had known this was coming, but hearing the words out loud still hurt in a way she wasn’t prepared for. Three years of raising Curtis alone suddenly felt like they were being stripped away, piece by piece.
Curtis froze, his smile vanishing. “No way! I like being Curtis Bush! I don’t wanna change my name!”
Bradley threw Melissa a pointed look, clearly expecting her to handle the pushback. She sighed softly, crouching to Curtis’s eye level. “Sweetheart, the name ‘Curtis Bush’ is something Mommy made up for you. It’s not official. Without a proper name, you can’t get an ID, and you won’t be able to go to school. But if you use Daddy’s last name, you can.”
Bradley leaned in, his voice calm but firm, with just a hint of patience. “You’ll still be Curtis to everyone. But your official name-will be Milton Moore.”
Curtis hesitated, his little brow furrowed as he repeated the name slowly, testing it. “Milton Moore…”
Melissa clapped her hands lightly, forcing a bright smile. “Wow! That’s such a great name! It sounds so cool.”
Curtis stared at her for a moment, then grinned, his excitement bubbling back up. “Okay! I’ll listen to Mom. But when I go to school, can you and Dad both take me on the first day?”
Hearing him talk so hopefully about a future she wouldn’t be part of made Melissa’s chest ache. But she swallowed the pain and nodded with a smile. “Of course we will. But, Curtis, tomorrow I have to go out of town for a few days, so you’ll have to be extra good while I’m gone, okay?”
The brightness in Curtis’s eyes dimmed, replaced by a flash of panic. “Where are you going? Take me with you!”
Melissa froze for a moment, avoiding his gaze. She forced her voice to stay steady and warm, even as her heart twisted. “It’s just a class reunion, sweetheart. And kids aren’t allowed. I’ll be back before you know it, I promise.”
