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She met my eyes, both of us remembering the grandpa we never saw without a beer in hand. He never wanted to change, though, and his addiction eventually killed him.
“I found a twelve-week program I can get a scholarship for,” she said. “It kills me to think of being away from Joey for that long, but I need to do it. I have to. Mikey, I need you to take care of Joey while I’m there. I don’t want to ask Mom when Andy’s so sick. It’s too much.”
I had no experience taking care of kids. It would completely upend my life. I’d have to hire help. But I didn’t even have to think about it before I answered.
“Of course I’ll take care of him.”
Emma’s eyes filled with tears again. “You will?”
I nodded. “You don’t need to worry about him, just focus on what you need to do.”
“Thank you, Mikey. There’s no one else I trust with him, and…you were my only hope. The program’s back in New Mexico, so I’ll need to”
“Let’s look into places here,” I said. “Then maybe I could bring Joey to visit if they allow it. I’ll pay for it.”
She covered her face with her hands, quietly sobbing. I set down the whisk I’d just used on the eggs and pulled her into my arms.
“We’re gonna get through this,” I said. “You don’t have to do this alone anymore, okay?”
“Thank you, Mikey,” she said softly. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
After a minute or so, she pulled away and wiped her face. “I need to get it together so Joey doesn’t see me like this. What can I do to help with breakfast?”
“Want to make pancakes?”
She grinned. “You know how amazing my pancakes are. Do you have any cinnamon?”
“If I do, it would be in the cabinet to the left of the stove.”
I walked into the living room, where Joey was pushing buttons on the video game controller but not really accomplishing anything. He was a cute kid, his dark hair and hazel eyes reminding me of Andy at his age.
“Joey, you ready for some bacon and eggs?” I asked him. “And I’m about to start some toast.”
He set the controller down and got up from the couch, stopping halfway to the kitchen to go back to the couch and get his stuffed elephant.
“I like your elephant, man,” I said. “What’s his name?”
“Trunkie.”
I ruffled his hair. “We better get him some breakfast, too.”
It had taken less than half an hour for my life to be turned completely upside down. I didn’t want to tell Mom or Andy about Joey right now; they had enough on their plates. For now, I’d have to rely on my Mavericks family for help.
CHAPTERTEN
Jolie
I leftthe lab early to go to the rink. I needed my skates sharpened and wanted to have a little time to decompress. Ellen had been on my case more than ever lately, and I couldn’t figure out what it was. Jealousy? It didn’t seem possible since she already had her PhD and I was still working on mine. She had a fiancé, and I’d only seen the guy from a distance a handful of times, so that couldn’t have anything to do with it. It was just exhausting to be on my best behavior all the fucking time, like some kind of kid.
Academia came with its own set of pressures, prejudices, and struggles, but it was the world I knew best. I was willing to work hard to get where I needed to be, even when that included kissing asses I didn’t like and burning the candle at both ends to get everything done. But Ellen’s personal attacks and ongoing torment seemed unfair.
Nothing in life is fair, I reminded myself as I handed my skates to Gil, the guy who ran the pro shop.
“Hey, Jolie.” He smiled. “Give me about fifteen minutes, okay?”
“No rush. Thanks, Gil.” I turned in time to see Boone coming into the rink with a little boy I’d never seen before.
