AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That’s not true.” His mother’s gaze shifted around the room. It locked on the shot glass with a baleful eye that Celia had given Malcolm when she’d first moved back. “It’s nice.”
Katie shuffled forward. “Are you here to check up on me? I told you, Blake and I will still come over every Sunday.”
“But Malcolm won’t be there, will he?” their father said. His eyes couldn’t quite meet Malcolm’s. “We thought maybe we should talk before our granddaughter arrives. You know, clear the air.”
Malcolm pressed his fists into his sides. “The air is as clear as it’ll get.” He watched as his father flinched, acting like he’d hit him or something. “There’s nothing that needs to be fixed.” He’d long ago become comfortable with their lack of a relationship. It was something he didn’t want, not after realizing exactly who his parents were.
“Now, Malcolm, that’s not true, and you know it.” His mother’s hand covered his father’s, where it trembled on her shoulder. “It’s not fair to Katie if things become awkward at the hospital during her delivery.”
Malcolm bit back the words that pressed in on him. Katie wouldn’t have time to take care of them, not while she was in the middle of giving birth. He glanced at his sister, hating the question in her eyes as she stared back. Everything would be fine. He’d handle them when the time came.
His father’s back straightened. “We’re going to be there with our daughter when it’s time,” he said.
“Like you were there when her appendix burst?” Malcolm wished he’d bit his tongue.
His mother pressed her free hand to her chest. “Well, really, Malcolm. We were at the hospital with her, just as you were.”
They’d arrived late and had fluttered around like broken birds themselves. Malcolm closed his eyes, knowing there was no point in arguing. His parents would never be who he wished they were. For the most part, that was fine. He opened his eyes, his gaze moving to Celia, taking in her fingers as they twisted her rubber band.
He sighed. “I’d never keep you from the birth of your first grandchild.” He should have felt a twinge of guilt that they thought he would, but it didn’t come.
“Well.” His father deflated. “Good, then.”
Their mother’s gaze darted to Celia, then back to Malcolm. “We miss you. What if—”
Malcolm shook his head, not wanting to hear the perpetual ask. “Let’s leave it there.”
His mother’s lips thinned. “You’re unfair, Malcolm.” Her eyes shifted to Celia. “We did everything you asked for, but still you act this way.”
He shouldn’t have had to ask. Malcolm swallowed the words, remembering the way they’d justified knowing what was happening to Celia over the years and doing nothing. That it wasn’t their place. That she was stronger for the hardship. Even after Malcolm had forced their hand and they’d taken their niece into their home after she’d been stabbed nearly a dozen times, Celia had had to cover her own expenses. It was a truth he’d found out later, after they’d spent the majority of what she’d provided to them. He’d convinced them to return what was left as a graduation present, but by then he’d lost all respect for them.
“Are we done now?” he asked. His chest was already at the bursting point.
His mother’s mouth snapped shut.
His father squeezed her shoulder. “We’ll leave you to your…” His brows drew together as he took in the tavern that Malcolm was so proud of. “Business.” They turned to the door.
Jami slipped from her stool, stepping in front of them.
His parents stopped, similar frowns crossing their faces.
“Can we help you?” his mother snipped.
Malcolm’s palms went damp in his curled-up fists.
Jami shook her head. “I just wanted to tell you how wonderful your son is.”
Malcolm’s breath caught as she looked at him. His hands loosened as his fingertips began to itch.
“He’s helped me out a lot recently,” Jami continued, returning her firm gaze to his parents. “Malcolm takes care of everyone around him. He really is wonderful.” Her arms crossed as she said it a second time, but her smile was gentle. “I just wanted you to know, since you didn’t seem to.”
The ache in his chest was joined by a knot in his stomach.
“He’s very strong,” Malcolm’s mother said. Her head tilted as she studied Jami. “Are you his girlfriend?”
“Oh, no.” Jami looked anywhere but at Malcolm. Her arms loosened, falling to her sides. “I’m just a waitress here, that’s all.” She swallowed. “He kind of takes care of me.”
“He’s good at that,” Malcolm’s father said.
