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“How do you feel about having a brother?”
“Oh, fuck, Dad, don’t even go there! Jace is awesome. And, Dad, Ruby’s awesome, too. Don’t get everything twisted. It’s just two sides, you know?”
“You feel uncomfortable with the change and you’re happy that you have a brother.”
“Hm. More like I am happy I have a brother, and that Ruby is with us, and I feel like the odd man out. Does that make sense?”
I stepped away from the door.
My heart ached.
Vander
George’s words played over and over in my head all night. I hated that he felt like the odd man out. I couldn’t even deny it. While he always belonged with me, no matter where I was or who I was with, I saw his point. Moving him into Jace and Ruby’s house was not optimal, but I’d put Ruby last for so many years, she had to come first this time.
Not just this time.
All the time.
Still.
It hurt.
The next morning, before heading to work, I popped in to talk to Yiayia.
“Ela, agori mou. Come in, come in,” she exclaimed. She threw her good arm up in the air. “I can’t even offer you a coffee!”
“It’s okay, Yiayia. I brought you a coffee from Tim Horton’s.”
She shuffled her way into the kitchen, opened the fridge with her good hand, and retrieved a container of cookies. She placed them on the table and brought me a plate. She watched me quietly while I sipped my coffee.
“I’m here on an official capacity today, Yiayia.” I smiled.
Tears came to her eyes. “You gonna ask for my Ruby’s hand?”
I shook my head. “No. Not asking for her hand. That, I’m taking. I’m asking for your blessing.”
She shook her finger at me. “Ech, I boil you!”
I laughed.
She leaned forward and placed her hand softly on the side of my face. “She wait so long for you. You take good care of her, agori mou.”
I nodded. “I promise, Yiayia.”
“I have something for you.” She stood. “I be right back.”
She went to her room and came back with a worn velvet box in her hand. “I don’t know if you buy a ring yet, but I want to give you this. You take this for my Ruby.”
I opened the box to find her ruby ring nestled inside. I glanced at her hand to see a plain wedding band where her ruby used to be.
“You sure, Yiayia? Isn’t this your engagement ring?”
“No. Pappou, he bought it for me for twenty-five years. Is three stones.” She rubbed the tip of her finger over the stones. “Past, present, future. You give it to Ruby so she remember she have all three, always.”
