Page 113 of Break Points and Face Offs

“I mean for everything, but specifically, for making my boyfriend feel welcome. It means a lot to him. I don’t think he thought you guys would like him.”

Ma shrugs. “We do. He’s a nice guy. And honestly, Will, we’d love anyone who makes you happy. It’s kind of a default. If you like him, we like him, okay?”

I nod.

“He doesn’t have this.”

“What?”

“A family, like ours. He doesn’t have people who have his back no matter what. Except maybe his old frat bros.”

She nods slowly. “Well, he does now. Okay?”

“Yeah.” For some reason, I feel myself getting choked up.

“Hey, hey. What’s wrong?” She rubs my arm.

It’s like, now I’m finally able to relax, the past few years of trying to be strong for her while she was sick and get my studies and everything else done is catching up with me. “Nothing, sorry. It’s just … I don’t know, it’s been tough.”

“I know, baby.”

“I can’t stand the thought of ever losing this.”

She takes a deep breath. “Hon, you can’t hold onto everything. You know that.”

“I know. Just wish I could.”

She smiles, putting her hand on my cheek. “You just gotta enjoy the now, okay? Don’t think too much about tomorrow. We’re all here now, and that’s what matters, okay?”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

She squeezes me, laughing when I make a noise.

“Fuck, you’re strong.”

“Language, young man.”

“Sorry, Ma.”

She holds my face, just looking at me for a minute.

“Hey, listen …” I hold out for whatever pearl of wisdom she’s gonna impart next. “If you’re gonna get up to any hanky panky tonight, keep it down. Your dad’s a light sleeper.”

“Oh, jeez, Ma.”

“What?” She laughs as I turn away so she can’t see how red I’ve gone.

“Just thought I’d warn you. Not that we’ve got a problem with you getting up to anything.”

“Yeah, I get the gist. Thanks.”

PRIESTLEY

While Will’s in the kitchen with his mother, his aunts corner me. I had hoped Will’s father would complain about them talking over the hockey game, but he doesn’t seem to mind. Hockey is noisy anyway.

“What are you and Will doing after you graduate?” Deb asks.

“We’ll probably look for a place in New Jersey so we can be close to my brother and commute into the city to our jobs.”