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Taylor stepped into the kitchen and squeezed my shoulders on the way past, bringing me back to the present with a jolt. “I know that face you’re making. Don’t overthink things. Just because they’re going well doesn’t mean something is wrong.”
“You know me too well, Tay.” I finished the rest of my coffee and ran the mug underneath the water. “I don’t know. It’s like I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop.”
Taylor took out a cup of yogurt and kicked the refrigerator door shut with the back of her leg. “You shouldn’t. Bernie makes you happy, and from what you’ve told me, he’s a good dad to Ron. That’s all that matters.”
“Ron really likes him,” I whispered after a quick peek in the bedroom to ensure that Ron was still in the same spot, coloring intently. “It’s strange how fast the two of them have bonded.”
“Maybe Ron knows on some level.” Taylor licked her spoon and cleared her throat. “You still haven’t told him, right?”
“We’re waiting for the right time to tell him.”
“Don’t wait too long,” Taylor advised in between mouthfuls. “You know how people gossip. It’s better if he hears it from the two of you.”
“Do you think doing the concert thing at school is a bad idea?”
Taylor shook her head. “No, I think it’s a great idea. My parents are excited to meet him, by the way.”
The doorbell rang, and Taylor’s expression lit up. She set down her yogurt and raced me to the front door. She twisted the knob and gave Bernie, who stood in the doorway, a once over. Then she held her hand out and shook his hand.
“It’s nice to finally meet you, Bernard. Rachel has not stopped talking about you.”
“Tay,” I hissed, pausing to throw a dirty look in her direction. “Stop it.”
“She talks about you all the time too, Taylor.” Bernard let his hands fall to his sides and gave her an easy smile. “I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for me. You and your parents.”
Taylor studied his face. “You’re welcome. Rachel and Ron will always be family to us.”
“I’m going to go get Ron,” I announced loudly. I gave Taylor a pointed look over my shoulders, but she ignored me. Ron and I came back out a few seconds later, and he raced to give Bernard a hug. When he pulled back and I saw the look on Bernard’s face, my stomach did an odd little somersault.
Seeing the two of them together never failed to make me happy.
Already, the two of them were finding things to bond over, everything from sports to playing games, and I couldn’t have been gladder. Slowly, all of my suspicions and insecurities regarding Bernard were being driven away. Every gesture, everylaugh, and every word they exchanged pushed my fears further and further away.
Bernard was meant to be Ron’s father.
It was clear in how protective he was of Ron.
I gave Taylor a quick hug on my way out the door. “Be nice.”
“I am being nice,” Taylor said into my ear. She drew back and pushed her hair out of her face. “I’ll see you guys at the concert later.”
“Bye Aunty Tay,” Ron called out over his shoulders. He gave her an enthusiastic wave before getting into the car. I hurried down the stairs and smiled at Bernard, who held the door open for me. He gave me a peck on the lips before getting into the car and swinging the door shut behind him.
“The concert is going to be so much fun,” Ron began, his eyes darting between the two of us. “I’m going to be a tree.”
“You’re going to be the best tree,” I told him before pushing his hair out of his eyes. “I’m so proud of you, bud. And your teacher told me that you’ve been so good in class.”
“It sounds like someone deserves a high five,” Bernard added with a broad smile. “What do you say?”
Ron gave Bernard a high five before leaning forward in his seat. “Jonathan, you’re going to come too, right?”
“I would love to, young Master Ron.”
Ron giggled and sat back in his seat. “I’m not a young master. I’m just Ron.”
Jonathan smiled at him in the rearview mirror. “Of course, sir.”
Before long, the car pulled up outside Ron’s school. He scrambled over us and out of the door, nearly landing face-first on the pavement. Ron caught himself at the last second and jumped from one foot to the other. After giving us both quick hugs, he raced through the iron gates and up the front steps. Once they were led away, I got back into the car and waited for Bernard.
