“Well, I have, so can you please give him a break? For me?” They lower their voices, and I can’t hear anymore. The baby in my arms grabs my collar and tries to put it in her mouth, but I pull it away and bounce her.
“Oh, Daxton, the housekeeper you sent is wonderful.” Annette Lamb waves me over from her seat in the living room. She has a walker next to her, and she’s refused to use her wheelchair. “You’re such a godsend.” She wraps her arm through mine after I take the seat next to her.
“You look wonderful. I’m so glad I can help you.” She smiles, and she reminds me so much of her daughter.
Ruby babbles, and her grandmother strokes her cheek. “You’re so good with her.” She cranes her neck to look around. “I wish Cori would take more of an interest in her niece.” She lets out a long sigh. I look across the room and tilt my head toward her son, who is fast asleep on the couch. I look back at Annette but don’t say anything. “You know how men are when it comes to kids.”
“That’s an outdated stereotype.” I keep my voice low and hope Cori doesn’t hear. “I helped take care of my sister after my dad passed away. When Dad was alive, he was an active parent, despite being stuck in a wheelchair.”
“But Devin isn’t like you. He’s so lost.”
I don’t offer an answer. My wife has asked me to listen to her and be her champion, and I’m not about to fumble the ball this early in the game. She also said she wasn’t ready to confront her parents about what she found out.
Despite everything that’s happened, she wants her mother to get better and doesn’t want to add any stress that would impede her progress.
“Well, maybe it’s time he finds himself,” I finally mumble. I get up and put Ruby on top of him. She hits him in the face, but he doesn’t stir. She gets bored and lifts her arms, so I take her again.
“Cori!” Annette yells, and I hope she doesn’t ask her daughter to take Ruby. Cori and Selene come walking in, arm in arm. “Your dad will be home soon. Let’s get ready to eat. Selene, I need your help, too, baby. Is Eden still coming?”
“Yes, Auntie,” Selene says sweetly, and I almost want to vomit.
Just as the words leave her mouth, the bell rings, and Eden arrives.
Selene gives me the side eye from across the room, and I decide to ignore her. She’s irrelevant.
“Do you need help, sweetheart?” I put my hand on Cori’s shoulder and kiss her cheek.
I hand the baby to Eden and help my wife bring the food to the table while Selene gets the drinks and chats with Eden.
Cori’s father gets home just as we finish setting the table.
“Eden, is your husband joining us?” Annette extends her hand, and Eden walks to her and takes it. I already know the answer to that question. Ripley is handling business and won’t be home for hours. Ruby reaches for her grandmother, who takes her from Eden.
“Not this time.” Eden doesn’t offer any more than that, but I didn’t expect her to. Her phone rings, and she excuses herself. “My King,” I hear her say as she walks away.
While I pull out a chair for my wife, Leander kicks Devin’s foot, jarring him awake. He sputters and falls to the floor.
“Get your ass to the table or go to your room.” Leander’s words are harsh, and like a spoiled child, he stomps to the bathroom but joins us at the table a few minutes later. I take Ruby from Annette and put her in her highchair.
The doorbell rings, and Leander glares at his son. “Go get it.” His words are sharp, and Devin puts his head down, but gets up. He returns with Preacher following him.
“I hope you don’t mind, but I invited a friend. This is Preacher. He’s lonely and has no one else in his life. He could use a home-cooked meal. He usually just opens a can of something.” Preacher narrows his eyes at me, but his eyes light up when he spots Selene.
“Take a seat, son.” Leander gestures to the table. “Welcome to our home. Any friend of Dax’s is welcome here anytime.”
“It’s Gabriel,” Preacher says. “Gabriel Santana.” He watches Selene as he talks, but she has her head down texting. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to wash my hands first.” Someone gestures toward the bathroom. Preacher rushes in and returns seconds later. He takes the empty seat next to Selene and pushes his chair so close that their arms touch.
Selene doesn’t react.
“Preacher, you want to say grace?” I lift Cori’s hand and kiss the back of it. Her mother notices and smiles at me, so I wink at her. She blushes.
“Please,” Annette says. Selene sighs.
“Um, sure.” Preacher seems uncertain. “Let us bow our heads.” He clears his throat. “Let us take a moment and appreciate the beautiful meal, which I’m sure was lovingly prepared. May we bask in the beauty of the world and also remember the connection that we all share with our loved ones.”
He doesn’t say amen, but looks up and around the table. His eyes narrow at me, and I smirk.
“How lovely,” Annette says. “Amen.”
