"I don't get paid enough for this." I came in with two brown paper bags filled with lunch for the Mom and the girls.

"That may be true, but we appreciate you anyways." Phoebe winked, pulling me into a side hug.

"Yeah, yeah," I muttered.

I handed over the goods, and the girls scooped them up instantly. "Leave a croissant for me, please."

Sadie waved a hand in the air as they hurried on back.

Most of the appointments.

"You're quiet, Mom. What's up?"

Mom sighed, then looked up at me with a soft smile. "I think I'm tired. And slightly overwhelmed, but I couldn't be happier. Business is booming again, and I might need to hire some more help around here like a full-time front desk assistant and another hairstylist." Mom leaned back in the chair with her hands folded on her stomach. "And while the girls are good with haircuts, I bumped into a young man earlier this week who claimed to be an experienced barber, and he said he would love to be a part of this team. He emailed his resume, and it's nothing outstanding, but I'm willing to give him a chance because I had a good feeling about him."

I was still shocked at how things were looking up for us compared to the last few months.

I had doubted any of this would get better for a while, and I couldn't help but blame myself. I'd take it all back now. I send gratitude out into the universe on a daily.

"Running a successful business is in the St. James' DNA. We aren't destined to fail."

Mom belted out a cackle. "You sound like your Uncle."

I winked. "Come on, let go on back and eat. We could use a break. I'll flip the open sign to 'closed' for a bit." There were no appointments scheduled after 5 p.m. Maybe Mom could even lock up early, and we could have a movie night.

"That sounds nice." Mom stretched her hands above her head and then stood. She was about to say something more, but then two individuals strolled through the doors.

Mrs. Cambridge and Jason.

Mom and I wore matching expressions of confusion and disbelief.

"Hi, can I help you?" After a few seconds of all of our eyes staring at each other, I said.

"We would like to have a word with you both. We won't take up too much of your time. But if now isn't good for you, I'd like to schedule another time," Mrs. Cambridge said with her eyes on Mom.

Mom cleared her throat. "No. Now is fine." She offered a friendly smile. "Please step into my office. Cameron, lead the way."

I quietly obeyed.

In Mom's office, the Cambridges took a seat on the couch while Mom and I took the sofa chairs.

"There's no easy to say this. But I'll start with an apology." Mrs. Cambridge bowed her head. "I'm sorry for everything this family has put you and your loved ones through. We would like to give you the compensation you deserve from my ex-husband's actions." Emphasis on the "ex" bit. Mrs. Cambridge lifted her head and scooted to the edge of her seat. "I know it can't make up for the past, but I wish you would accept it." Her eyes went to me. "Both of you."

My arm swooped around Mom's shoulder.

"That won't be necessary. We don't need anything from you. We never have."

"I understand that. I applaud you for all your hard work and how you've managed to raise a son as a single mother. But I'm insisting you take this. I won't leave here without a 'yes.'"

Mom's eyes briefly shut as she forced herself to do some deep breathing exercises.

"I can assure you this would benefit you and your son."

"Let's hear it," Mom said.

"This building is owned by the Cambridge's, and we would like to transfer the ownership to you."

Mom's jaw fell. "WHAT?"

The building had four floors, with eight apartment apartments above us. Each apartment had been rented out for quite some time, and next to the salon, there was a hardware store. The money Mom would be profiting from the building alone, well, it would be a hefty sum.

"I can't...."

"I don't want to hear that." Mrs. C shook her head. "I looked into your family when I found out the truth about you and your son. I apologize for that. I can assure you that I didn't do it with malicious intentions." She held up both hands. "It was more to see where you guys stood financially."

Mom raised a brow, and I felt her wondering if she should be offended.

"Your family's businesses are quite profitable. So much so that I couldn't think of a number to write this check out to you for."

My jaw repeated Mom's earlier action.

"So I'll give you guys a blank check for you to decide." Mrs. C took out her checkbook and slid it over to us.

Was this some kind of trick? Did they think we wanted their money and or that we were gold diggers?

My attention went to Jason, who hadn't uttered a word to me or inserted himself in the conversation. It was easy to forget he was there.

"You can't just buy us! Who do you think you are? Wait, don't even answer that! I've had to deal with a lot of crap from the Cambridges half my life, and I don't want any more ties to them." Mom's nostrils flared.

"I understand, but please." Mrs. C's eyes shifted from mine to Mom's. "I..." She sniffled. "I don't know how to make this right. I feel responsible somehow." Mrs. C's wiped the corner of her eyes. "I was with that man for years. I never thought he was capable of such things. How am I supposed to look at you and not offer what you should've had years ago." She shook her head. "If you don't write a number, my in-laws had informed me that I should write the check for 200,000 dollars."

Mom and I gasped.

"We have more than enough money to spare. That's no secret. We're not here to throw that in your face, but please let us do this." Mrs. C begged.

Mom's shoulder slumped forward. She didn't know what to say or do here.

"While you think about it, my son would like to say a few words." Mrs. C elbowed him.

Jason cleared his throat. "Cam, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the names I called you and for the things I did to you. I blamed you for tearing my family apart. And you didn't deserve that. I would have done things differently if I had known the truth."

I nodded, letting him know that his words were processing.

"We're brothers, even though we've had a rocky start at the whole brotherhood thing. I won't blame you if you don't want anything to do with me. I wasn't always the easiest person to be around. But I'd like for us to have some sort of relationship in the future. If possible."

I stood up and held out my hand to him—my version of an olive branch.

Jason reached for my hand, and we shook on it. Then we did that manly bro hug with a pat on the back.

I wouldn't forgive him so quickly, but I couldn't hate him either.

The four of us came to an agreement about the building and the check. Mom said she would accept the money, but she's depositing it in an account for me. And as for the building, she said she wouldn't mind taking it off their hands.

Mrs. C looked relieved and smiled when Mom took the offer.

Then Jason told me about how his grandparents wanted to meet me.

Mom said she would let me decide for myself and support me no matter what.

At first, I said to myself that the people who were quick to disown me and talk smack about my Mom wanted to meet me? They owed my mother an apology. And I wouldn't entertain the idea of a relationship with them until they made amends with her.

So that was something to think about.

We spent the next hour conversing, and it felt like we were getting to know each other. I wouldn't have thought Mom would've had something in common with Mrs. C, but apparently, the dear old sperm donor had a type.

Jason and I spoke about the hockey team and how he was embarrassed to show up at the meeting the other day. I told him not to worry about it. Water under the bridge and whatever. They guys wouldn't hold it against him.

But the coach might have him running laps until his legs detached from his body.

I wished him well.

For the most part, this conversation was what everyone needed to help heal.

And for Mom, I was just happy to see her getting the justice she deserved and the recognition for being an incredible working mother.