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“What? Fuck, yes. Why would you even ask? In fact, I need to talk to your stepdad privately. I want you to come out one day earlier and stay an extra day. Would that be alright with you?”
“Mom’s not going to like it. I’ll ask Dad to call you.”
“Yeah, I know. She doesn’t like for you to miss school,” I defended her. Although she didn’t deserve it, George did. “I’ll talk to your dad. And, Georgie, let’s just keep this between us for the moment, okay agori mou?”
He nodded, but still looked a little unsure when he signed off. I texted him right away telling him how much I loved him and not to worry about Thanksgiving, that we’d work it out. I confirmed our call time for the next day and told him I’d text him with a few different options for when I’d be by myself, and the rest when he could meet Jace and Ruby.
I didn’t expect it to be difficult, but I was still relieved to have it over with.
On Saturday, Ruby worked at Spuds, and Jace spent the day with me. Amber agreed to let Alex come along as Gus was out of town. The boys chatted in the backseat, having decided to both sit in the back rather than take turns up front.
My initial assessment of Alex was correct. Like Ruby in boy form, his brain churned a mile a minute, and he broadcast his emotions far and wide for all to see. It was wildly apparent that he was not at all sure about me, or more specifically, how the changes I brought might affect him.
I pulled into the parking lot and opened my door while they spilled out the back and looked up at the sign on the building.
“Cool,” Jace breathed.
Alex looked sidelong at me, then slowly followed Jace inside as I held the door open to Mountains, the indoor climbing gym I frequented.
Alex hopped from foot to foot while the instructor explained the safety rules and harness system to the boys. Jace took it all in, asking questions, and nodding quietly, as he listened to the answers.
When the instructor quizzed them back, focussing mainly on Alex who did not appear to be listening, Alex got every answer correct. The instructor cleared both boys to climb with me belaying.
“Won’t we get bored waiting? Can’t we both climb at the same time?” Alex asked.
“You won’t get bored. You’ll need the rest in between climbs. It will also give you time to study the wall before you go up, get familiar with the location of the footholds and handholds.”
“You can go first, Alex,” Jace offered.
“You sure?” Alex shifted his focus to Jace, shifting back and forth.
“Yup. Go ahead.”
I checked Alex’s harness and got him started on the wall. He made it up a third of the way before getting stuck.
“I’m done!” He yelled down to me.
“Want me to guide you higher?” I asked.
“No. I want to come down.”
“Okay. Remember what the instructor said. Lay back in the harness and bounce down lightly on your toes.”
Alex descended perfectly, and traded places with Jace. Jace got a little further up the wall before he, too, got stuck.
Alex, standing still and quiet beside me, said, “I can see where he needs to go.”
“Yeah? Where do you think?”
“If he brings his right foot up at a forty-five-degree angle, there’s a big yellow rock he could step on.”
“That’s what I would say.”
“Should we ask him?” Alex looked up at me, and I noted again how much like his aunt he was, though they looked little alike.
“Go ahead and ask him if he wants help.”
Alex cupped his hands around his mouth. “Want me to tell you how to get up, Jace?”
