After Kierstie told me her mom knew and about what transpired, I asked her if she minded if I told my uncle tonight. I know he’s coming over for family dinner next week. If nothing else, I want him to protect Kierstie if her brothers come for me, which, honestly, I’m expecting them to. I just don’t want her pushed in their anger to get to me. I’m expecting a beatdown, but neither she nor the baby can get hurt in the process. She swears she’s thinking of something so they don’t come after me, but I know I’ve gone against them and I’m willing to pay for it. I’mnotwilling to give her or my baby up. In these last few weeks, she’s firmly planted herself in my heart in a way I don’t think I could ever just co-parent with her. Even her outbursts of anger don’t bother me. If you really look at them, they’re never about something pertaining to her. It’s usually about someone she cares about and it’s her way of expressing it. I think most of the time, it’s actually really sweet, even when it’s directed at me. Her meltdowns regarding food are definitely pregnancy related. I’ve seen the woman have morning sickness for hours then cry that she was out of Red Hots and Lemonheads. I keep extras of both in my toolbox at work, in the glove compartment of my truck, and in the drawer she gave me at her place. It’s the weirdest combination, but if it makes my woman happy, then that’s all that matters. I pull up in front of Grant’s house. As soon as I shut off my bike, I hear my phone chime with an incoming text.
Kierstie: Good luck with your chat. Have fun watching the game. Btw, you can ask him about being godfather if you want… I think it’s only right.
Me: Thanks, gorgeous. I’ll talk to him about all of it. Have fun at dinner. Remember, you got me and lil’ one in your corner.
Kierstie: I don’t want this to come off as needy, but are you coming over after the game?
Me: What have I told you? You need me, I’m there, baby. I’ll see you tonight.
Kierstie: K.
The amount of emojis she uses borders on excessive but at least I know that means she’s happy.
I put my phone away as I walk up to the porch to knock on the door. It opens as I start up the steps.
“You look like you got a lot on your mind there, boy. Is this about Tyson again?” I’m not surprised that he asked that, since our last few serious conversations revolved around Tyson and my trying to find him. I shake my head as I walk through the door, take the beer he’s offering, and follow him into the kitchen.
“No, it’s actually nothin’ to do with him. I haven’t gone looking for him these last few weeks. Might go every once in a while but he can’t be my full focus anymore, especially ’cause I think you’re right. He doesn’t want me to find him and he ain’t ready for help yet.” Grant turns and looks at me in surprise and relief.
“Thank fuck for that. He’s my nephew and I love him too, but there comes a time when if someone is that far gone and doesn’t want help, it doesn’t matter how many times you find them and try to get them into rehab. It won’t take if they don’t want to get clean. We can still hope someday he asks for it. He knows where we’re at.”
“Yeah, he does.” I grab a seat at the table while he works on forming the hamburgers to grill for dinner. We’ll eat while watching the game. It’s not football season, so we usually find a baseball or basketball game to watch. Grant finishes the last of the patties, washes his hands, then leans against the counter.
“So, what’s with the change? I’ve been telling you this same thing for the last year or so. Did you have an epiphany or something?”
Shaking my head, I start peeling the label on my beer.
“No, but I’ve got some life-altering news. You might want to sit for this.” I don’t think his eyebrows could go any higher.
“Before you tell me, do I need to hire a good defense lawyer for you?” Chuckling at his question, I say, “No, but I might need you to save my life.” I tell him all of it, from the first night to the first day Kierstie started working at the shop to her telling me she’s pregnant. I tell him about spending most evenings with her, and even her most recent cravings. When I stop talking, he leans back in his chair and takes a long drink of his beer.
“Boy, you’ve really gone and done it now. You two going to be co-parents or be together? You gotta plan on how to tell her pa and brothers. Ya know,yourpres and VPs?”
“Fuck no we aren’t going to co-parent. She’s mine. We’re together. If I have any say in it, that’s how we’ll stay. She’s… passionate and kind and just… she’s gorgeous inside and out.” He cocks his head to the side as he studies me.
“Fuck me. You’re gone for her, ain’t ya?”
Grinning, I tell the man who’s been the closest thing I’ve ever had to a dad,
“Yep. She’s got a plan brewing. Wants us to tell everyone next Sunday at family dinner. She told Ma a couple of days ago and we agreed I’d tell you. She thinks I might need someone on my side when they all lose their shit. The are two reasons I wanted to tell you. One, I want you to watch out for her. I worry in their anger and coming after me, which I know I deserve, she might try to step in and end up inadvertently getting hurt. I can’t have her or our baby possibly getting injured. The second reason is you’re the closest thing I’ve had to a parent since Mom died and the only real dad I’ve ever had. The first person I wanted to tell was you.” I think I might’ve shocked him into silence, so I figure I’ll throw the last bit of news out before he finds his voice again.
“I also figured as the baby’s godfather, you’d have an added reason to protect them.”
He tries to take another long sip of beer, but it’s empty. He gets up, goes to the fridge, gets another out, opens it, and takes a sip.
“Well, shit, Shane, I don’t quite know what to say. First of all, those three will probably lose their shit in some capacity so I’ll make sure to have my first aid kit stocked up. I don’t think they’d hurt their sister, but I’ll be on the lookout just in case. Second, I don’t think Jonah will lose it like them. He’s gonna watch his little girl’s face. If she looks half as gone as you did when you were talkin’ about her, he’ll know she’s a goner for you and accept it. Begrudgingly, but he will. Third, are you sure you want me as godfather? I’m honored and just kind of in shock you two would pick me.”
“Yep, without a doubt. I know you’d never consider yourself their grandpa, so this is as close as I could get. Kierstie suggested it while I was thinking of how to bring it up to her that it’s what I wanted. She commented that almost all of my good childhood memories, especially those like learning engines, sports, fishing, and hunting, all included you. Whether you realized it or not, you always included me and Tyson when you could. That wasn’t something you had to do. I mean, you were a single dad for a long time, but you still helped Mom with us as often as you could. It meant a lot.”
“Well when you say it like that, I guess you and I are more alike than I realized. We both spent years trying to help siblings that weren’t ready to accept it.” Well, shit, he’s right. Mom wasn’t addicted to drugs, just horrible men, and bad decisions.
Chuckling at that realization, I also make another one. “You know, as a kid, all I wanted Mom to do, well, besides divorcing the asshole, was to move back here so we could live near y’all. Now, I realize if that had happened, I would have been put firmly in the like-a-brother zone by my woman, just like Samson and Saxon are.” That makes Grant laugh.
“Well, I guess it’s like that song about unanswered prayers. Sometimes, the gods have a plan and we’ve just gotta have faith. Other times, things just don’t work out and there ain’t a fucking plan.” Looking at him, I get the sense that there’s more behind that last bit, but also know he won’t say anything till he’s ready.
“Now get your ass up and come help me cook the burgers and dogs for dinner.” I get up and help him take everything out to the grill. About ten minutes later, Samson and Saxon stroll in. We’ve got all the food cooked and have just brought it all to the table so we can make our plates and watch a game, when the front door opens and to our surprise, Erik walks in. Saxon, never one to hold his tongue, asks what we all wanna know.
“How the fuck did you manage to get out on a Sunday? I thought the witc—er, Celeste kept you home every Sunday.”
