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I shook my head. “Not really.”
I watched as empathy filled Ramsey’s eyes, his hand reaching across the table to gently hold mine. His silent gesture offered me the strength to continue, to delve deeper into the pain I had carried for so long.
“It wasn’t long before their addiction consumed their lives,” I continued, my voice steady but filled with a hint of sadness. “Eventually, I was placed into foster care, a painful separation from the only family I had known. The day I was pulled out of the house was the day my parents got into a violent fight and my mother’s China was shattered all over the house. They were both left with cuts and bled all over the place. I remember a little teacup was unbroken, but there was blood spattered on it.”
The weight of those words hung in the air, and I allowed myself a moment of reflection before pushing forward. The scars from those turbulent years had healed, but their imprint on my soul remained.
“My father ended up in prison for assault stemming from a bar fight,” I revealed, the words tasting bittersweet on my tongue. “I’ve never seen him since the day I was pulled out.”
“Your mom?”
“I have no idea where she is,” I answered honestly. “She used to try and visit, but she just disappeared. I assume she moved away with some other guy. I don’t know. I’ve never cared to know. They didn’t care enough to stop drinking to get me back.”
The heaviness settled around us like a fog, as if the weight of my past hung between us. I met Ramsey’s gaze, searching for any sign of judgment or fear. Instead, his expression was one of compassion and understanding. He didn’t say anything or offer empty platitudes. He was just there. Sorry didn’t fix things. What happened, happened. I wasn’t interested in anyone trying to fix me.
I felt vulnerable, as if I had lain bare my deepest wounds for examination. But in that vulnerability, there was also a sense of relief, of unburdening myself from the secrets that had haunted me for so long. Ramsey’s grip tightened on my hand, a silent reassurance that I wasn’t alone. His unwavering support spoke volumes, affirming that he was someone I could trust with my most painful truths.
Our meals were delivered a moment later. The vulnerability was gone as we dug into our meal. “It’s really good,” I said around a mouthful of noodles and meat.
“I know.” He laughed. “I’m thinking I’ll get an order to take home for Lily, but I know Izzy has stuffed her with pizza.”
“Maybe we can pick her up a milkshake or something on the way back,” I suggested.
“Good plan.” He nodded. “Her growth is going to be stunted by all the MSG she eats.”
I laughed and took another bite. “Ah, but it tastes so good.”
We finished our meal and walked out into the cold night with blustery winds that cut right through my clothes. He opened my car door for me but before I could get in, he pulled me in for a kiss. I was just starting to think last night had just been a couple of people in desperate need to get laid. The kiss said otherwise. I leaned in to him until his cold hands slid up my shirt.
“Ah!” I pushed him away before laughing. “Not nice!”
“My hands were cold.” He grinned.
“No shit!”
We drove back to his house to find Izzy and Lily sitting on the couch watchingThe Goonies.
“Thanks for hanging out with her,” Ramsey said to his sister.
Izzy looked at me and smiled. “It was my pleasure. You know, you always have a babysitter if you want to grab dinner or go to a movie or anything like that.”
She left and Ramsey and I took her spot on the couch with me on one side of Lily and Ramsey on the other. As we settled in, Lily snuggled up against me and I wrapped my arm around her. I couldn’t help but feel a sense of warmth wash over me. Ramsey put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me in close. We watched the rest of the movie in silence, occasionally laughing at the comical scenes and jumping at the scary ones.
When the movie ended, Ramsey stood up and stretched. “I think it’s time for you to go to bed, Lily,” he said, ruffling her hair.
“Aww, do I have to?” she pouted.
“Yes, it’s late and we had a busy day today,” he replied gently.
“Okay,” she said.
“I’ll tuck you in,” Ramsey told her.
“Goodnight, Lily,” I said and gave her a hug. “I’ll see you in the morning.” At least I assumed I was going to see her in the morning. It was late and there had been no mention of me driving home.
Lily walked out with Ramsey popping his head back in the room. “Maybe you could make us a drink,” he suggested with a smile.
“Coming right up.” I grinned.
