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I laugh before tackling her questions. “Yes. I’ll try not to. And I’m sure Ember will ask you.”
“Okay. Can I go back upstairs now? I was reading, and the guy was about to save the girl.” Having no idea how to answer that, I nod, and she takes off, her worries forgotten. If only it was that simple for me.
Knowing I need to do some cleaning, I go to the kitchen to load the dishwasher. As I turn on the water to rinse a few plates off first, my cell rings and after glancing at the screen, I quickly dry my hands. Hopefully some of my worries are about to be resolved.
“Hey, Mr. Boone. Please tell me you have good news.”
“Hi, Adam. I’m sad to say, it’s mixed. The judge doesn’t see any problem with granting you guardianship, and took into account that was what your parents wanted even though the paperwork hadn’t been signed and filed prior to their deaths. There’s one concern.”
“What is that?” I ask, ready to do whatever I need to, especially since I just told Riley this would all be okay.
“Well, you’re a single young man, and that causes some hesitation in granting your request.”
“I’m in a committed relationship.”
“Since when? Last time we talked, you weren’t even dating.”
“It’s new, but she’s been in my life for years, and we know it’ll lead to marriage.”
“That helps, Adam. It really does. Though I have to add, if that final step could take place sooner, it would bode well for your case.”
“As in, it could speed the approval process along?”
“I can’t say for sure, of course, but it won’t hurt.”
“I need to talk to Ember first. When do you need to know?”
“I wish I could tell you that you can take your time because this isn’t something you want to rush. However, with the circumstances as they are, as soon as possible.”
“Thank you, Mr. Boone. I’ll get back to you in the next day or so.” We end the call, and I’m left with a lot to think about. Yes, I was gonna propose at some point, but I didn’t want to do it within days of admitting our feelings for each other. I wanted to give us time to enjoy this new phase. Then again, we already know one another more than most couples, and to keep my family together, I will gladly add Ember to it. She already is a member as far as I’m concerned.
She’s coming over later, so I’ll talk to her then. First though, I need to make some plans.
**Ember**
“When are you going to grow up and do something with your life, Ember?” My mom, Ann, asks as my dad, Steven, merely watches what’s sure to be a shitshow unfold.
“I am an adult, mother. The least you can do is talk to and treat me like one,” I remind her.
“Well, when you start acting like one, maybe I will. You’d think with the exemplary example your brother has set that you’d have chosen a different path.”
“And what’s wrong with the path I’m on? I was in the top percent of my class,” I say before she cuts me off.
“A class you’re no longer a part of because you dropped out. What will people think?”
“I don’t care. That’s your hang up, not mine. Also, I transferred which is a completely different thing than quitting.”
“Because of that boy,” she says, her disdain for him clear. She’s never cared for my friendship with Adam, though I’ve never understood why. You’d think, in her eyes, he’d be everything she’d want for her only daughter, that she’d try and push us together instead of apart as she has for years. He comes from a good family. His parents were successful. There was never gossip about any of them. They have a nice home and drove a fairly new car. All things she cares about while I’ve always loved Adam for who he is.
“Thatmanhas been my best friend for almost twenty years. He treats me like the most important thing in his life. Not that you’d know anything about that,” I state, the beginning strong, confident, but the latter comes out as more of a mumble, the truth of how my parents view me still having the ability to hurt me.
“What was that, Ember? I didn’t catch that last part. Would you care to repeat it?” And there it is, the thinly veiled threat, reminding me of my place. Thankfully, I’m spared from more, or having to lie, as Kent walks in.
“How’s my favorite little sister?” He asks, this byplay familiar to us.
“I’m your only sister, you douche.”
“Then it’s a good thing you’re my favorite, isn’t it?” He teases, bumping my shoulder.
