Page 55 of Restored Dreams

As I’m returning from the powder room, I hear gunfire and shouting sounds coming from a room off near the staircase. I peek my head inside to find a light brown-haired ten-year-old, his tongue wiggling outside his mouth as he presses a controller with two thumbs. He doesn’t look up at me but addresses someone through a headset.

“Go left, go left.” Hearing another gunshot and an explosion, I turn to the monitor to see blood splatter across the screen.

“Jesus,” I say aloud and turn my head, finding Liam looking at me. Midge’s youngest son is the male version of her as a little boy. Matching eyes, same hair color, warm smile.

“Hey cupcake la—” he begins but gets interrupted as he continues with the directions from his fellow player. We met when I made cupcakes for Hank and Midge’s wedding dinner and another time when Midge wanted cupcakes for some clients. She’s become quite the regular, and I appreciate the support.

I step inside the room and sit next to Liam on the small couch.

“This is kind of graphic.” I flinch as more blood splatters on the screen.

“Nah,” he moans. “It’s Assassin’s Creed. It’s historical, so it’s all good.” I don’t think I agree as another person is taken out on the screen. I’m mesmerized for a moment at the monotony of the movements in the game, and sense how gamers get sucked into hours of playing. Something happens, and Liam groans. He slaps the controller against leg and throws his head back on the cushion.

“I’m dead,” he mutters into the headset, and then his eyes widen as he looks over at me. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?” I chuckle.

“For saying dead. I’m sorry your sister died.” It seems rather formal from a little kid, but I thank him for his condolences.

“Mom said we didn’t have to attend the funeral, but we had to be here for lunch. Said family first or something like that.” He picks up the controller again.

“Well, you have a great family.”

“Elston can be a jerk because he’s older, and Ronin used to be my friend, but now he’s too cool because he’s in high school,” Liam singsongs for mocking emphasis. “But Chopper’s awesome.” His tone shifts to full admiration.

“Yeah, what do you like about Chopper?”

“He doesn’t treat me like a kid. He’s like Brut. They act like I’m someone, not like I don’t know anything. Chopper’s been showing me how to fix things on a car, and Brut keeps bringing me these kits where I can take stuff apart and rebuild it, but it all works mechanically.”

I nod as if I have any idea what he’s describing.

“That sounds…cool.”

“It is cool. Mom says we’re a clan of men, but I don’t see anything wrong with that.” He shrugs indifferently.

“Your mom’s pregnant,” I say. This is no secret because she’s definitely showing. “What will happen if you have a sister?”

He shrugs again. “I guess she’ll learn to play baseball, do video games, and fix cars, too. That’s what we do in this family.” He’s so cavalier and honest in his answer that I laugh.

“Sounds perfect,” I mutter and look up to find Hank looking at his youngest stepson with warmth in his eyes as he curls around the doorframe.

“It is,” he says softly, wiggling an eyebrow at me. He tips his head to the side, directing me to follow him, and I stand, excusing myself from Liam. Hank waits for me just outside the kitchen entrance.

“How are you doing?” he asks, peering down at me with playful eyes. They are the same blue as Brut’s but not as edgy or serious as his older brother’s. Hank is also more solid than Brut, so his crossed arms and imposing stare demand I answer.

“I don’t know how to feel, I guess. I’m a little…out there.” I wave a hand to imply anywhere but the literal.

“Well, I want to reiterate what Midge said. You’re our family, too. It’s a weird, twisted connection, I get it, but Chopper knows who you are, and Brut’s told me how amazing you’ve been toward him, so you have to know you’re one of us.”

Tears prickle my eyes, and the sting makes my nose burn. I blink a few times. “Thank you.” Those are the only words I can find. I don’t deserve their open arms although I didn’t ever do anything directly to them. Still, I appreciate the earnest firmness to Hank’s statement. I’m one of them.

“What’s going on?” Suddenly, Brut stands at my side, holding my upper arm. “Why is she almost crying?” he snaps at his brother.

“Chill. I’m just letting her know again that we’re her family.” Hank motions between the three of us, and Brut’s eyes narrow at his brother.

“No wonder she wants to cry,” Brut mocks, and like a pressure of air bubbling up inside me, I release a snort-laugh, before covering my nose and giggling more. Brut’s lips slowly crook up on one side, and his eyes dance. “Well, there she finally is.”

My brows pinch as I watch his grin grow. “I’ve been waiting for some of those sweet noises.”