“Hi, son. Just wanted to say hello and see how you are doing.”
Inwardly he felt there might be more to the reason for the call, but experience had taught him that it was best to just wait it out. He’d know soon enough.
“I’m fine, Mom. Work has been busy, but I’m still enjoying it. And I met someone not too long ago. His name is Ash, and he and I are getting along really well too.” He hadn’t said anything about Ash yet to his parents, but he might as well say something now, as it was bound to come out when he was there for Christmas.
“That’s nice, Ker,” his mom said quietly. “So, Christmas is right around the corner. You’re still planning on getting here on the twenty-third, right? We’re all looking forward to seeing you. It’s been too long since you were here last.”
“Yeah, Mom. I’m working that morning, but I’ll be driving out in the afternoon. I should be there by dinnertime.” He tried to keep his tone upbeat even though he cringed inwardly. He’d avoided going home for so long; why he had finally agreed to this year he could only blame on a lapse in judgement.
“Oh, good. I know your dad has a few things he wants to speak to you about.”
And there it was. Dread crept up his spine. He knew exactly what Dad wanted to discuss with him.
“Mom, we’ve been over this before …” he began.
“Oh, I know, Ker, but please just let him have his say. He’s been thinking about this for a while. It’s very important to him.”
And what about what’s important to me? Don’t I get a say in my future?The thoughts swirled around in Ker’s head, but he held his tongue.
“Fine, Mom. It’s Christmas, and I’ll do my best to behave.”
“We just want you to be happy, son.”
“I am happy, Mom.”Why couldn’t they understand that?
“Okay, I won’t keep you. See you soon.”
“Bye, Mom.”
Ending the call, Ker realized that he’d completely lost his appetite. He returned the stew to his freezer and went to bed—too exhausted from that brief conversation to do anything else. But the thoughts lingered as he lay beneath the covers—if a short phone call made him feel that bad about himself, what was it gonna be like spending a few days with his family?
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Ash
Monday morning was brutally cold. As Ash drove away from his house, he wondered if they were in for a storm this week. Normally, he’d park in the precinct lot and walk the three blocks to Cuppa Joe’s since it was his turn to grab coffee for himself and Hank, but today he parked around the corner from the café, not wanting to walk so far in these temperatures. Still, the wind buffeted him as he made his way to the front door, and he welcomed the warmth of the coffee shop as he entered.
He noticed Courtland sitting at a small table, so after checking his watch to confirm he had enough time, he ordered a single coffee for himself and sauntered over to his brother’s table. He’d grab two more on his way out.
“Hey, bro,” he greeted Court.
“Hi, Ash,” his brother replied. “Long time no see,” he added jokingly. “So any reason you stuck around at Mom’s yesterday after the rest of us left?”
“Direct much?” Ash grinned.
“Hey, I’m a lieutenant at the fire department,” Court answered. “I didn’t make it that far without learning to cut to the chase.”
“Mom wanted to let Ker and me know that she kind of had him checked out and said that she approves of our relationship.”
“No shit? But yeah, that sounds like our mom.” Court chuckled.
“Right? I guess I kind of expected it, though. The first time Ker joined us for Sunday dinner, we got there before everyone else, and Ker told Mom that he doesn’t drink alcohol since he’s had some issues with substance abuse in the past, so it’s just easier if he doesn’t drink.”
“Ah, now it makes sense.” Court’s face lit up. “Mom is nothing if not protective of her cubs.”
“That’s exactly what I told Ker after we left.”
