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Pulling up to my place, I saw Cage’s truck parked out front. Going inside, we found him and Mama on the couch in front of the TV. When she didn’t turn around to look, I stared at my mother.
What was she keeping from me? What could be so bad about my birth? And after a lifetime of asking, how could I get her to tell me now?
“Dinner’s ready if you’re hungry,” Cage said turning to greet his boyfriend with a kiss.
Sitting around the kitchen table, for the first time I realized how small it was. With four people, the plates could barely fit at the same time. As the smallest person, Quin was tucked in the corner. There was no wonder he was willing to buy a house. Dealing with all of this had to be a nightmare for him.
“When are you planning on showing me the place?” I asked Cage.
Cage looked at Quin and Mama. That was when I realized that he might not have told our mother yet.
“It’s a nice house,” Mama said to my surprise.
“Oh! So, I’m the only one who hasn’t seen it?”
“You haven’t been around,” Cage explained.
“That’s because I have games on Saturday and classes during the week.”
“We know. We’re not saying anything about it. Just, that’s why you haven’t seen it.”
I looked at the three people in front of me. Everyone’s lives were moving forward. And, they were doing it without me.
“So, when am I gonna see it?”
“Tomorrow morning. Miss Roberts said she can open it up at 9.”
“Why so early? It’s a Sunday. Don’t you people sleep in anymore?”
“She said she has to be at the Salon by 10 for appointments.”
“People get their hair done on a Sunday?” I asked having lived here my whole life and never realizing it.
“Church. Bingo. Get-togethers. It makes sense,” Cage explained.
“I guess.”
I looked at the three people I cared most about wondering if this was the time. It wasn’t. I was going to let Cage and Quin show me their house first. That was the better plan.
After Cage and Quin took care of the dishes, they headed off to Quin’s bed and breakfast. I joined Mama on the couch. Her mental state had been night and day since Cage had entered our lives. It made me wonder if her life would have been better if I was the one who had been snatched instead of my perfect older brother.
“You good, Mama?” I asked putting my hand on hers.
“I’ve been feeling good, son. In fact, I’ve been meaning to tell you, I’ve been thinking about looking for a job.”
Her words stunned me speechless. Seven years ago, it was her unwillingness to hold a job that made me have to support us. I was a kid doing things that no kid should have to do.
Now she was telling me that she was ready to get back to work? What the hell was going on?
“What inspired this, Mama?”
“I’ve been feeling better. Having Cage back has made all of the difference in the world. Don’t you love having your brother back?”
“I do. He’s good for you, Mama.”
“He’s good for all of us.”
“Yeah, he is,” I said wondering if her improvement also had to do with her secret.
