CHAPTER 36: WHO NEEDS HELP?
-Does having a woman around our house bother you, son?-, Horatio asked his son in between mouthfuls of spaghetti. Kyle raised his eyes from the plate, startled by the question.
-Uh, well, Ronnie is pretty annoying at times… but we're talking about Calleigh, aren't we? So, no, I don't mind at all. -, the young boy replied easily, resuming his wolfing-the-meal-down-as-only-a-teenager-could. Horatio breathed a sigh of relief, but the curt answer let him somehow disappointed.
-Besides, she helps me with Physics, and she has a pretty voice. And let's not forget, she's great with the guitar!-, Kyle added suddenly, startling his father. The redhead smile, more pleased with the addition.
-Uh, Dad? Are you asking me all these questions because you want Calleigh to move in with you?-, the youngster wondered after a while, probably after having mustered up the courage to utter the words. Horatio chocked on the glass of water he was drinking, bewildered.
-Must you do that, son?-, he sputtered, trying to regain his composure. Kyle looked at his sheepishly, muttering a quiet sorry.
-To answer your question, no, I'm not planning on inviting her to move in with us anytime soon. It just seemed a logical question, seeing as she's currently spending some evenings with us. -, the Lieutenant replied after having calmed down.
-You know what? As long as you're happy, I don't mind her staying with us, even moving in. I'm sure you'd like to share your bed with her better than me, anyway…-, Kyle sentenced, emitting a satisfied grunt as he polished his plate. His father gave a wry chuckle.
-Now, son, just because you want to sleep with Ronnie…-, Horatio trailed off, seeing as he had accomplished the mission of making his son blush. –Seriously, son, have you already thought about protection?-, he added then, turning dead serious. Kyle blushed, but tried to sound serious as well.
-Dad, we haven't trespassed the stage we're-friends-only yet, I think it's a bit… well, too soon to think about it. -, the youngster replied uneasily but resolutely. Horatio snorted.
-It's never too soon to think about protection, son. And knowing Ronnie, I think she's already on the pill or something equivalent. She's very bright, and very determined. -, he guessed, making his son blush furiously at the idea. –More like scary…-, he mumbled to himself.
-So, now that the Delko guy is out of the picture… how do you plan on seducing your blonde?-, Kyle asked out of the blue, making his father do a double take. The boy giggled.
-C'mon, spill. How exactly does the Caine charm work?-, he wondered.
-Why should I do such a thing? Calleigh and I are just friends… well, somewhat close friends, but that's about it. -, the redhead replied.
-Oh, please, even I can make out the regret in your voice! You want to be more than just good friends, and that's what Calleigh wants too, I think. -, Kyle replied. Horatio looked surprised at that.
-What makes you think so?-, he asked, genuinely curious.
-Well, it's pretty obvious that you make her very happy. And from what little I've gathered, she's had a lousy track with previous boyfriends… the other day I really thought she'd start crying when I offered her a glass of water while she was singing… my point is, she's not accustomed to boys being somewhat gentle and caring with her, and it's a shame, she's such a nice woman…-, his son replied, deep in thought. Horatio's brows furrowed.
-Don't you think that's a bit feeble?-, the redhead demanded. At Kyle's puzzled expression, he elaborated further. –Kyle, you must realize that I'm getting old. I'm not interested in cheap affairs, especially with someone as special as Calleigh. I want happiness, real happiness, a lasting commitment, you know what I'm talking about, right?-
-Yeah…-, the boy breathed. –Marriage. –
-Not necessarily, but that's the general idea. So you see my dilemma, if I am to engage in a serious relationship, I want it to be based on something… stronger than mere gratitude. -, Horatio stated seriously. His son merely nodded.
-Besides, many a woman has misinterpreted my willingness to help them for something else, reading something more in my actions, and well, that never ended prettily. -, the redhead confessed. At that, Kyle smirked.
-You meaning to tell me jailbirds have tried to court you while you were trying to bring them out of jail?-, he sassed, eliciting a scowl from the grown up.
-When did you become so cheeky?-, he teasingly scolded the boy, who feigned to be deep in thought.
-Mmm, could be the time I spent with Ronnie… or maybe I've been this way since I found a red hair among my blonde mane…-
They were already on the threshold of the shop, otherwise Horatio might have taken into account the possibility of spanking his own son…
-Dad, really, what do you think about Calleigh?-, Kyle grunted while helping his father put their purchases on the Hummer. Horatio sighed in annoyance.
-Must we do this again, son?-, he lamented. At Kyle's annoyed glance, the Lieutenant resigned to his fate and mustered up enough courage to venture in the requested explanation.
-We've known each other for a decade now. When I first met her, she was this beautiful, vibrant, lovely young woman. She was every men's desire, but she fought hard to keep her independence and worked hard to arrive where she is now. -, he told the boy. He nodded in understanding.
-Your second in command. -, he said matter of fact. Horatio shook his head.
-Don't say that like that son, like it's not enough compared to where I am now. Not only I am fifteen years her senior, but she, as a woman, has excelled in what is thought to be a man's job. You should be proud of her. I know I am. -, he gently scolded his son, voice thickening with emotion.
-Right, sorry. Please continue. -, Kyle replied sheepishly.
-Over the first years, we developed a friendly and somewhat flirty bond, to the point that sometimes I forgot my role as her boss. She was so much more that just my employee. She was a confidant, a friend, a person whom I trusted with my life… at times the line between good friend and possible love interest was so blurred that I had to distance myself from her, for risk of becoming… unprofessional. -, the redhead continued.
-Why the hell did you do that?-, the youngster wondered, seemingly outraged.
-I suppose we were not ready. I, for one, was embroiled in a complicated relationship with my sister-in-law, Yelina. I've told you about her, haven't I?-, his father replied. His son nodded, eyes widening in shock.
-You mean… you were seeing her?-, he wanted to know. Horatio chuckled.
-She made it very clear to me that she would have liked that, but no, we didn't. Our relationship was too complicated to begin with, and the idea of going out with my brother's widow… Yelina is a beautiful, strong willed woman, but that thought really gave me the creeps. I was uncomfortable under her attentions, there's no other way to put it. -, the Lieutenant confessed, and his son dared not chuckle at his past discomfort. Instead he asked: -What changed between you and Calleigh?-
-The moment our souls connected the most, after the death of a colleague and dear friend, whom I regarded as a son, was also the moment we started drifting apart. Work came in our way, for we both, as leaders of our group, had to train the newcomers; she started seeing a Homicide Detective. –, Horatio answered, trailing off in the middle of the painful path. Kyle prompted him to continue: -What about him?-
-He killed himself, in her own lab. He was corrupted. -, the redhead replied curtly.
-Oh. And what about you?-, wondered the boy. Surely his father would have helped her…
Horatio chuckled. –Umf, at the time I had my own share to deal with. Namely, my brother Raymond. I discovered he was not dead after all, and I helped him in every way I could. He was in deep water…-
After he had referred his whole ordeal with his brother, Horatio was brought back to the topic at hand, Calleigh, by his son.
-She went out with an old sweetheart of her, who used to work undercover and made a short appearance here in Miami as Homicide Detective… I met Marisol… I think Eric played a part in the break up between Calleigh and her Detective, but I'm not sure… then Mala Noche killed Marisol…-
Man, his father had more in himself than any other person he had ever met, Kyle mused as he listened to his father's tale. He had undergone so much, such painful events. And Calleigh, too. There had not been time, nor presence of mind to take things between them to a more personal level. They were too damaged on their own, they obviously didn't want to share burdens… what a pity.
-You know what, son? The most painful thing has not been seeing her with other men. If they could make her happy… no, what tore at my heart was seeing her transformation from spontaneous and sassy young girl to focused and reserved career woman. She used to be so full of life, always smiling, always sassy, a real spitfire; she had a loving word and a joke for every person she worked with and an heart of gold, which she wore on her sleeve. She used to wear colorful outfits, her hair wild and natural, sometimes she experimented with different hairstyles… well, no more. I've seen her change and start to wear only two colors, black and white, and while she is stunning in her outfits, they spoke to me of impersonality. Her hair, too, has changed. She's always strengthening them, the times she's worn them natural or curly these past years could be counted on the fingers of my hand. She grew in beauty, but lost in spark, spontaneity and genuineness. These last months with Eric have only helped reinforce the process. –
-Maybe you can help her, dad. -, Kyle suggested timidly. At his father's curious glance, he explained himself. –You can help her realize you love her for who she is, not just this cold image of beauty with which she surrounds herself. I think she's afraid, dad, she doesn't want to open up and let the others see her real her. God knows she has every right, after what she had to endure… please, dad, I really like her, and Ronnie does too. Can't we help her?-