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numerous shrubs and thick bushes; Shane trotted after him. When the upward climb sufficiently winded the boy, Cairo stopped at a small house where he took a key from under the front doormat, opened the door with it and motioned the boy into the small and secluded home.
    “Go have a seat.” He ordered.
    “Whose house is this?” Shane demanded no longer silent.
    “It was my grandfather’s, now it’smine.”
    “You live here ?” Shane asked his eyes going wide in disbelief.
    “Is there something wrong with that?” Cairo asked coolly, wondering if snobbery ran in the family.
    Shane shrugged. “No, I guess not. It’s a bit old, but if you like it, I do too.”
    Cairo softened a little. “Shane, this is my favorite place in the wholeworld. My grandfather left it to me when he died. I loved him very much and it’s the only place I feel close to him. It might not seem like much, but everyone has their own idea of heaven.”
    Shane roamed the house looking for signs of heaven. He opened drawers, peeped in corners and thoroughlycased the place. He was determined to find something interesting. Shane pulled a picture from inside a box that Cairo normally kept closed.
    “Who is this?”
    Cairo tensed, fearing he had come upon an old picture of Storm. Peering down into the box, Cairo smiled in relief. “That’s my grandfather when he was a young man.”
    “But he’s black!” Shane said quizzically.
    Cairo laughed; he couldn’t help himself.
    “Yes, he is black, isn’t he?”
    “But you’re not black, are you?” Shane was puzzled.
    Cairo took the picture from him. “No, I’m not black, but my grandfather was. He adopted me when I was fifteen after my parents died. He was their best friend. After he adopted me, we spent summers together here and six years ago I convinced him to move back with me for good. He taught me everything I know. He was a great man.” Cairo looked longingly at the photo.
    “What else is in here?” Shane asked leaning further into the box. Cairo quickly pulled him out.
    “That’s enough for today, Shane. Let’s get back to the hotel. Your mother is probably getting worried. Back down the hill we go.”
    When he groaned Cairosmiledand said. “Don’t worry, Shane. This time I’ll carry you.”
    The promise was music to Shane’s ears.
     
    Seemingly unaffected by Shane’s weight, Storm watched as strong, purposeful strides brought Cairo closer. The longer she watched the more the heavy crushing sensation in her chest spread. Relaxed in the crux of Cairo’s muscular arms, Shane was cradled against his heart. Storm watched them in envy and admiration, savoring the image for as long as it would last. This was what she wanted to see, what she had paid a private investigator the bulk of her trust fund to find. This was why she had come to Jamaica, to see Shane and Cairo, together at last.
    “I brought him back as soon as possible, I hope you don’t mind.” He said setting her son on his feet.
    As unobtrusively as she could, Storm dabbed the corner of her eyes. This was what she had wanted when she married Cairo. It was a possibility until things had gone so terribly wrong. Six years of dreams had been lost; she wanted them back. Smoothing her shirt with hands that trembled slightly, she looked at him and gave him a radiant smile.
    “Of course I don’t mind.” She said waving away his concern. “Why should I mind my two favorite men hanging out together?”
    Shane freed himself from Cairo’s grasp and ran to his mother. He looked across at Cairo happily after he’d settled into Storm’s embrace.
    “See, I told you,” He stuck out his chin. “I told you that she loved you.”
    Storm’s bountiful curls flew around her shoulders as she swung around to look at him. They stared at each other for a long time. Cairo spoke first.
    “You’re wrong, Shane.” He said his eyes still on her face. “She thought she loved me once, but that was a long time ago.”
    WhenStorm started to