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I couldn’t resist laughing. “Best. Barbeques. Ever.”
The three of us continued to bullshit and have a good time while Gene worked. I kept a close eye on my watch because as soon as the Chinese place opened I was getting lunch and getting to the bottom of things with my mother.
About an hour later, armed with three bags full, I let myself into the house I grew up in. It wasn’t home. My dad’s house? That felt like a home away from home. Miranda’s house felt like home.
I’m not going down without a fight this time, either.
My dad came in shortly after me and helped me unpack the food. He went over to get some plates and utensils before we sat down and heard mom come in.
I looked up at my dad, raising an eyebrow. My mom was in a good mood and that was almost never heard of. She rounded the corner with my aunt in tow.
“Ugh.” My mom gagged as she came closer to the kitchen. “What is that awful smell?”
“Chinese!” I called out. “I thought we could have lunch.”
“Henry.” She entered the kitchen, my aunt standing beside her. “You know I hate Chinese.”
“You do?” I played innocent. “I’m sorry, Mother. I forgot.”
Her glare turned to my dad. “And why are you here?”
“I thought we should talk about our grandsons.”
“Oh really, Thomas? You didn’t need to show up here to talk to Margie. Especially not about the farm trash’s spawn.”
“Why don’t you join us, Judy?” He motioned to a seat across the table from us, looking mildly perturbed.
“So. Let’s get to it.” My mother’s nostrils flared in anger. “What is your issue now?”
“You said something this morning that struck me as odd.” I took a bite of an egg roll. “You said the rumor was true. When did you hear that rumor?”
“Oh, Henry.” Her face screwed up in irritation. “What does it matter?”
“It matters, Marge, because that means you knew we had another grandson. And you didn’t tell your son or me that another child was around.”
“I could’ve been a part of my child’s life from his birth.” I shrugged.
“What I don’t understand is how you, Ethan, and the others don’t know what condoms are. Or some other birth control.” Aunt Judy snapped as she filled a plate with food. “And the girls are keeping the babies and ruining their lives.” She huffed.
“Henry.” Mom shook her head. “I thought it was just a rumor and Victoria was so stressed with her pregnancy I thought itwas best to let it go. Besides, that farm girl Matilda was busy working her way through Port Stella. There was no guarantee it was yours.”
My aunt nodded in agreement. “And you know her kind. People who don’t come from money tend to not know how to handle being with someone who has it.”
“Oh. You mean like you did with Evan?” I tilted my head.
My aunt’s mouth opened, and she honked out a sound of disgust. Standing up, she walked over to me and dumped her plate of food over my head. “You. Are an asshole.”
The three of us watched her storm from the room, and my dad laughed. “That was a good one.” He offered up his fist to bump knuckles with me.
“Thomas, must you be so callous?” Mother huffed in disgust.
My phone rang, and I sent it to voicemail. A moment later, it rang again, and I did the same.
“What if it’s the daycare?” My father asked quietly.
“Shit.” I pulled my phone out to see I’d missed the calls from Paul.
Paul
