Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 100301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100301 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 401(@250wpm)___ 334(@300wpm)
“Sure,” Zoey replied.
I didn’t want either of them to drink too much today, as I had plans for us when we got home, so I said, “We’ll each have one.” Zoey knew about my lifestyle, to a certain extent, and I had a feeling Mom might’ve guessed, but it wasn’t something we spoke about. I wouldn’t have my boys kneel at my feet, but I also wasn’t going to hide. It was a delicate balance.
“So bossy.” Zoey rolled her eyes.
“I know, right?” Jordan’s words were playful, of course, the little shit. We both knew he liked me even bossier.
“We’ll have to make them extra strong.” Zoey led him to the kitchen, where the two of them got started on our drinks.
Mom sat down and gave Ian her attention. “David tells us you’re working on one of his rental houses.”
“Um…yeah. I’m not sure how it’ll turn out. I’m not like a professional or anything.”
“It’s already awesome!” Jordan called.
“David said it looks really good so far,” Zoey added, and damn, did I appreciate them.
“I’ve mostly just torn things up, but I have plans, and I picked out a bunch of stuff. Not really expensive stuff. I wouldn’t do that with David’s money.”
“Oh, sweetie.” Mom reached over and put a hand on Ian’s knee. “We wouldn’t think that. You have nothing to worry about in this house. I’m excited to hear your plans, though.”
The tension in Ian’s body began to dissipate, and I could feel him relax some. “I, um…have some photos on my phone if you want to see.” My fingers danced along his thigh in a silent good boy.
“That would be great.” Mom moved over and sat on the other side of Ian as he pulled out his phone and flipped through pictures. Most were styles he liked or tile he’d chosen and examples of paint themes. Mom stayed engaged, asking questions and telling him how much she liked everything he showed her. Jordan and Zoey returned with everyone’s drinks, and then ended up in a conversation between the two of them. The more Mom spoke to Ian, the more he spoke to her, going on about the house and how he’d like to keep doing work like that. It led into chatting about the LGBTQ center, and Mom told him she was a therapist and worked with at-risk youth.
I just…sat back and watched, listened.
Smiled.
Seeing them both connect with my family filled me, completed me. This was what I wanted. They were what I wanted.
A little while later, Mom said, “Dinner’s probably almost done. I need to go check on it.”
“Oh, okay,” Ian replied, a soft hint of disappointment in his voice. It wasn’t something Mom or Zoey would notice, but Jordan and I did, and Jordan looked his way to see if Ian needed him.
“I’d love your company,” Mom added, and I could see it, the joy he felt.
“Yeah, sure.” Ian looked at me, and I nodded. He got up and followed Mom into the kitchen, chatting with her as she checked the lasagna in the oven. She asked him if he wanted to help set the table, which he did. I could see him soaking it up, reveling in the attention she was giving him.
My gaze found Jordan and Zoey next. She was showing him profiles of guys she’d dated from an app and giving him horror stories about each.
I’d known it before, but everything settled into place then, like the journey I hadn’t known I was on was suddenly mapped out for me.
Mom was telling Ian she wanted to add a patio cover out back, and he said, “I could do it. I mean, if you wanna hire a professional, that’s fine, but I’m good with that stuff. I’ve never done one before, but usually if I watch a video—never mind, I would hate to mess something up.”
“Are you kidding me? I would love for you to do it. You sound just like David. I always used to have to tell him it’s okay to mess up. Most things can be fixed, except not trying at all.”
Ian glowed under her praise. Christ, I loved my mom. She was giving Ian exactly what he’d never had, without me even having to tell her. She was being a mother.
“Okay…you can let David know when it’s a good time, and we can plan something,” Ian replied.
“Perfect.” Mom looked over at us. “Now let’s eat. I’m starving.”
Dinner was loud. Zoey and I gave each other shit. Mom played referee.
“This one time when I was a kid,” Zoey said, “I was hungry and asked him to make me something to eat. He brought me a raw hamburger on a bun. I cried. He got in trouble.” Zoey looked proud.
“Brat,” I told her.
“In his defense, your brother had a lot on his plate. He was working and going to school and trying to take care of both of us, which wasn’t his responsibility. I can’t tell you how many times I had to tell him that.”