“You should. I think he’s probably horrified that his mate is a sixteen year old teenager. Knowing that we know and we appreciate that he’s of his own choice, decided to wait until she’s had a chance to live a little, before he even brings it up, isadmirable. That we think highly of him for caring enough about her happiness to want to give her that opportunity, might make a little of what he’s feeling easier to live with. Make it easier for him to come back.”
“So you think I should go talk to him, then.”
“I do. Make this a good thing for him, not something to have to overcome.”
Lucas nodded. “I can do that.”
“Of course, you can.”
“Now what do we do with Keegan?”
“Nothing! Nobody says a word. We just let it happen naturally when it happens.”
“I don’t like keeping secrets from her.”
“Me either. But the whole point of him leaving is to give her freedom without him here. If we tell her, we negate that.”
Chapter 14
Kaiser hugged his mother and his father, then picked up his duffel bag and stood looking at them for a few moments.
“It’ll be fine, son,” Basilio said. “I’m glad you finally told us. I just didn’t understand why you were so angry and so distant. I get it now. I’m sorry I wasn’t more patient.”
“I didn’t exactly give you any indication of what was happening.”
“For what it’s worth, though I hate the thought of you not being here for a while, I think you’re doing the right thing. I believe it will all work out,” Renata said.
“I hope so. I just don’t know what else to do. Anything else is unfair to her,” Kaiser said.
“And that is what lets me know that you will be a fantastic mate,” Renata said.
Kaiser smiled, but it was clearly forced.
“Well, drive safe, Kaiser. Let us know when you get home, yeah?” Basilio asked.
“I will.”
“I love you,” Renata said, embracing her son and patting his back. “So, so much.”
“Me, too,” Basilio said, waiting for his turn, then embracing Kaiser so tightly it cracked his back.
“Oh, that’s good. I needed that,” Kaiser said.
“Been tense, huh?” Basilio said, chuckling.
“You just don’t know,” Kaiser said.
“Oh, we do. We had our own share of trouble to overcome. The good thing is that Keegan’s here, among the Pride and surrounded by not only her father, but all the uncles. Nothingwill happen to her. And if something comes up that you need to know, I’ll let you know immediately,” Renata said.
“We both will,” Basilio said.
“Thanks, Mom,” Kaiser said, hugging her again. “And take care of Buster Bee for me. I hate to leave him again, but…”
They all looked behind themselves at the dog sleeping on the sofa, upside down on his back, all feet in the air, snoring heavily. All three of them started laughing. “He doesn’t care. As long as somebody fills his bowl, and makes sure his doggie steps are pushed up against the sofa, he’s good.”
“Make sure he only gets his diet food and his diet snacks,” Kaiser said.
“We will. And when he starts getting low on food, we’ll go get some more from Cristie,” Renata promised.
