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“She deserves it,” he informs me in a tight voice. I’m starting to get the idea he’d kill anybody who looked at his mom the wrong way. It’s almost endearing.
Not as endearing as the reaction we receive upon entering a room a few doors down from the big, sunny lobby. She’s sitting in a rocking chair by the window, wearing a red velvet dress and a sprig of holly tucked in her gray hair. “My boys are here to see me!” Her voice is weak but sweet and full of love.
She adores them. Her sons are hitmen, and she adores them.
We leave the presents in front of a cute little tree in the corner. “Merry Christmas, Mom.” Evan leans over and gives her a hug. Her smile is almost painfully joyful. The same happens when Mason hugs her. She kisses his cheek before patting it.
“My handsome boys. Better looking every time I see the two of you.” Then she notices me—except for a second, where she looks confused, her smile never moves. “And who is this?”
Mason slides an arm around my waist. “Mom, this is Frankie.” He’s holding me almost tight enough to hurt, but I manage to smile. Not for their sake. For hers.
“Mrs. Pavlis, it’s so nice to meet you. I hope you don’t mind me being here on Christmas.”
She reaches for my hand and takes it in both of hers. They’re small, the way she is, but there’s strength in them. “Sweetheart, you’re the first girl either of my sons has ever introduced to me. That makes you special.”
She has no idea.
Evan clears his throat. “That’s not true. Remember Becca from high school?”
“Her.” She rolls her eyes, and I see where Evan gets his attitude from. “She doesn’t count, that little floozy.” Mason chokes on his laughter, and I can’t help but giggle when Evan’s face goes red.
She then eyes all the presents. “You know you don’t need to go to all this trouble.” Though it’s obvious she enjoys it. What she enjoys more is when her sons pull up chairs and sit close to her while she opens them.
At first, I thought coming here today was a joke. That Evan and Mason couldn’t have the hearts to actually care about their mom. Now, I think I’m starting to understand why they tried so hard last night to talk me into this. They adore her.
She slides a look my way. “Did Mason ever tell you how different things used to be for us?”
“No,” I reply while her sons look like they’re ready to choke.
“Mom, she doesn’t want to hear about that,” Mason informs her.
Like she cares. “It wasn’t always like this. When I lost my John, they were only five and three years old. It was just the three of us after that. From as soon as they were old enough to earn money, they helped keep the lights on.”
I can only imagine what they did to earn it, but she doesn’t seem to think there was anything sketchy about it.
“It was too much for a couple of little boys, all that responsibility.” She shakes her head with a sigh.
“We wanted to help you, Mom.” Evan pats her shoulder, and I can’t help but notice how his voice has changed. He’s softer. Sweeter. “You never asked us to. It was our pleasure to take care of you after you took care of us all on your own.”
She smiles lovingly at him. “When my health declined, they insisted on moving me into this fancy place. I get waited on hand and foot like I’m a queen. But no matter how many times I tell these two I don’t need something so nice, they pretend they can’t hear me.”
“You deserve it.” Mason kisses her cheek. “Just like you deserve all the presents.” The three of them go through everything she received, folding sweaters and blouses, and putting the jewelry away.
They’re just a family. I don’t think I’ve ever felt this conflicted in my entire life.
“Excuse me.” I stand and pick up the purse Mason bought me for today. “Where’s the nearest restroom?”
“Out in the lobby, dear. When you get back, I want to hear all about how you two met.” Mrs. Pavlis winks, and I give her a little smile before backing out of the room. Neither of the guys seems to notice I’m leaving. They’re too busy going back and forth over whether Mom should have a safe in there with all this new jewelry.
I’m in the lobby before it hits me.
I’m alone. Finally. I don’t know for how much longer, either.
I can go to the bathroom, or I can get out of here. The way my chest tightens at the thought of leaving Mason and Evan here is exactly why I have to go. What I saw from them back there in that room is almost enough to make me see them as whole people. Little boys who grew up in poverty without a dad. Who did what they had to do to take care of themselves and their mother. No wonder they turned out like they did, but they’re still devoted to her.
Sorry, Mrs. Pavlis, but I can’t live with your sons. Not if I want to avoid falling for them.
That’s why I hurry through the front door without even bringing my jacket. It’s freezing out, but I’m free. That’s what matters. I have a little money in the bank, enough to afford a bus ticket somewhere. Anywhere.
