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Rose and Angela talked about the roast and what adjustments they’d made to the recipe. Becca leaned closer to Ethan.
“Go ahead,” she whispered. “It’s going to be just fine.”
He squeezed her hand once more, then nodded and cleared his throat. When that didn’t get anyone’s attention, he did it again, louder this time. Both his mother and sister stared at him.
Ethan took a deep breath and released it. “I have something to tell you.”
“This doesn’t sound good,” Rose murmured.
“It’s not what you think,” he hurried to add.
Becca glanced at him and back to Rose. A silent communication passed between the siblings, one she wasn’t privy to. Part of her wanted to be worried, to get hung up on the fact that the man she loved was keeping something from her.
Fortunately, she was able to push that thought aside. Ethan loved her. He wouldn’t keep anything important from her. Rose deserved her privacy.
Ethan shifted in his seat and brought it closer to the table, the wooden legs screeching against the tile. “The thing is, I’ve had some tests run and it turns out I have a severe form of dyslexia.”
His family stared at him in surprise.
“What? No, you don’t,” Rose started. “I’ve seen you read stuff.”
“I can read,” he confirmed, “I just can’t read well or fast. It’s incredibly difficult for me and I’m finally going to get some help for it. There’s a program in Billings that can help me overcome some of the difficulty I haven’t been able to manage on my own.”
The room went utterly silent.
Becca wanted to jump out of her chair and demand that his family be supportive. They needed to show him that they would do whatever it took to make sure he felt loved and cared for.
But before she could stand on her soap box, Rose broke the silence. “Well, I’m proud of you.”
Ethan stilled. All his fidgeting left him as he stared at his sister. “You are?”
“I am. It’s hard to admit when you can’t do something or when you have challenges. I think this is great news that you’re getting help and a big step for you.”
He swiveled his focus to his mother and Becca could practically read the fear in his eyes that she would be disappointed in him. But Angela did what only a mother could.
She smiled and held out her hand so he would take it. “I know school wasn’t the easiest thing for you. We pushed you—both of you—so hard so you would have a secure future. We didn’t want you to struggle like we did. I wish I’d known why things were so hard. I would have tried to get help.”
“Hey, Mom, it’s all good.” Ethan got up and went to his mother and squatted down beside her covering her hand with his. “You know how things were then. This wasn’t common and people didn’t understand it. Not teachers, and especially not parents. It’s not your fault.”
His mother smiled and nodded. “That may be true, but I still wish I’d known.”
“That’s fair, I guess. But we’re here now and you’re supportive. That’s all I need.”
Ethan stood up and started to go back to his seat when Angela grabbed his hand. He turned and looked down at her, squinting slightly.
“I’m proud of you. Not just for this, but for all you’ve accomplished. You’re a good man. I’m sure if your father were still with us, he’d agree.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
Becca got to her feet, and Ethan gazed over at her with curiosity. “Where are you going?”
“To grab us some ice for our drinks.”
“I’ll come with you.”
She laughed. “I don’t think it takes two people to bring one bowl of ice.”
“Geez, Ethan. You’re acting like you and Becca are an old married couple joined at the hip.” Rose snickered.
