It was refreshing because it was true.
He had found someone who would love him enough for everyone. Gene didn’t believe anyone could love him more.
Bringing his knuckles to his lips, Gene kissed their joined fingers.
“Well, I know I would have loved her. I imagine her to be just like you,” he stated. “Or is that you being just like her?”
Ethan was curious.
He hadn’t expected that.
“Really?”
Gene nodded.
“From what you’ve told me about your father, I know you’re not much like him, and I know enough about your grandfather to know you’re not like him either. That leaves only one other person you could be like. So, I’m betting she was kind, gentle, and had a huge heart. You have all of those things in you.”
Ethan always felt so much better whenever Gene was there. It was like the man was a giant shield, protecting him from the negativity that battered him at the worst time.
“From what I remember about her,” he began, “she was all of those things. People gravitated to her because she was gentle and kind. I imagine she was a damn good nurse.”
Gene didn’t doubt that.
Now, Ethan had a big ask to make.
“I know we’re not staying here tonight, but tomorrow, before we leave for the airport, can we stop by her grave? It’s been a very long time since I put flowers there. Twelve years in fact, and I feel like since I’m here, I should see her.”
Immediately, Gene relaxed.
This was the kind of thing he wanted Ethan to share with him. It made him feel secure when his man leanedINTOhim, notAWAYfrom him.
That’s what partners did in a relationship.
“Absolutely. I’d love to take you there. I think you should talk to her and tell her about your life now. As a Catholic, I believe she’s watching and enjoying the show.”
Ethan smiled at him.
“Thank you,” he said. “I appreciate it.”
There was never any issue when it came to Gene giving Ethan what he needed.
That’s what he was there for, just like Ethan was there to supply the same thing.
As they pulled into Timothy’s driveway, Ethan stared at the cabin. It was getting older, like its inhabitant. There was guilt that Ethan didn’t help his brother more.
Yeah, he was angry at Timothy for the things he did that caused pain in his life, but it wasn’t fair to make Callen carry the burden of this place.
That was shitty on his behalf.
He should be assisting him as much as he could, since he was the lucky one who didn’t have to live here.
Then again, one day, he might come back when he retired. The reservation wasn’t a bad place.
It was just a place with bad memories, and he knew that he needed to succeed in life so that he could keep those demons at bay.
“I need to start helping Callen pay for shit here. This place is a wreck,” he admitted.
If that meant something to Ethan, Gene was more than happy to help, too.
