She shook her head and placed her hands on either of Avery’s shoulders to steady him so she could look right into his face. “Yes it is, honey. You came to me for help and I… I dismissed you. I promise you I willneverlet that happen again.”
Avery nodded. “Thank you.”
I smiled at Avery as he glanced back. “Oh shit! I’m sorry,” he said as he held his hands out to take the stuff I’d been carrying. “Mom, I’d like you to meet someone very special.”
The second my hands were clear, she took two large steps forward and threw her arms around my torso. “Thank you for taking care of my son when I wasn't there to do so. You saved him.”
After the shock of the unexpected contact wore off, I returned the hug. “I wouldn’t have it any other way, ma’am.”
“Oh, please call me Maggie. Welcome to our home, James.”
I hadn’t told Maggie my name, but it was obviously unnecessary.
“Where’s Dad?” Avery asked.
“Manning the grill,” she said.
“I’m gonna go out and say hi,” he told his mother.
Avery turned to head towards the sliding glass door when Maggie spoke., “Avery…”
He paused to look back over his shoulder, and she continued, “Uh… just…” She sighed. “Your father has also had a pretty rough week.”
Avery nodded his understanding and left us both with a small smile.
I followed Maggie into the kitchen where she took the containers from me and set them down on the counter.
Things were a little awkward for a moment while I tried to come up with something to say, and Maggie stood a few feet away wringing her hands togethernervously. Then she looked up at me and said, “You must think I’m just awful, and given what we’ve just been through…” she stopped and shook her head before correcting herself. “Whatyou and Averyhave just been through; what Avery’sbeengoing through…” She stopped again and swallowed hard. “I’m going to prove to both of you that I’m a better mother, a betterpersonthan that. If you’ll let me.”
Maggie walked over and tore a paper towel off the roll and dabbed at her eyes. “You see, I love my boy. He’s my everything, but he’s always been a little…flighty.My biggest worry since he started high school is that he never had any direction. There was no passion for anything. His father and I tried everything. Little League, dance classes, gymnastics, basketball, violin, after-school clubs, trading cards, video games. He changed classes and electives so many times, he almost didn't graduate high school.” She chuckled. “And then college was a nightmare for us all. It was all we could do to get him through high school; he didn’t last three semesters in college.”
She set the paper towel aside and walked over to stand in front of me. She slowly reached out and took my hands into hers. "But do you know what? He sat right here at this kitchen counter and wrote you two letters a week. For years. You are the only thing that has kept that boy’s attention for more than a few weeks.” She sniffled and patted my hand. “That’spowerful,young man… that’slove.”She gripped my hands a little tighter and looked up directly into my eyes. “Pleasedon’t hurt him,” she choked.
I wrapped my arms around her. “I will protect, nurture, and love your son for the rest of my life. I promise.”
I felt her nod against me, and then she took a step back. She grabbed the paper towel back up and wiped her eyes and nose before tossing it in the bin. She straightened out the front of her shirt with her hands, and then asked, “What kind of salad dressing do you prefer?”
A minute later, Avery and his father came walking in followed by a strong scent of charcoal.
“Goddammit, Frank!” Maggie cursed.
“It was my fault, mom. I was distracting him,” Avery said as he entered the kitchen.
Maggie sighed. “Grab the steak sauce out of the fridge.” She looked at me and rolled her eyes. “Anything's edible if you drown it in A1.”
“Beer?” Avery asked as he opened the fridge.
“Please,” I nodded.
“Me too,” Frank said as he set the tray of blackened steaks down in the center of the table.
As we gathered around the table, Frank held up his long-neck. “Well, I asked you boys here to celebrate.”
Avery looked over at me and then back to Frank. “Celebrate?”
Frank nodded. “Yes. We’re celebrating my retirement.”
I watched as Avery’s face scrunched up. “Retirement? You’re only 51. Isn’t that a bit young?”
