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“Yeah, that sounds good…I’d like that.”
Matt cleared his throat before starting again. “I know I need to get used to sharing her…Rakell’s happiness is extremely important to me,” Matt added.
Rakell:Checked in…Send
Jake:Can I call?...Send
Rakell:Yes…Send
“Hello,” she cooed into the phone.
“Mmm…mm, miss this voice. How was the flight?”
“Super turbulent into Jackson Hole. I felt sorry for a couple of the babies on the flight,” she said.
“That’s too bad. Hey, I just got a call from Coach Easton, and he wants me to fly in this week so we can look at some videos before next week's draft pick meetings. I’m flying out to Sacramento on Wednesday for a week and a half. I know you fly back Wednesday night; hate that I’ll miss you, so I was hoping I could get you to Sac Town for your birthday next weekend?” He fell back in his chair, waiting for her answer.
“Um, well, I usually spend my birthday with Matt and…”
“All right, I was just hoping…” He let a deep breath escape, processing his next words.
“You know what? I’d like that…I’ll do a makeup birthday weekend with Matt and Jonathon. Sounds fun. I’ve never been to Sacramento.”
“I’ll have enough furniture in my new place for us to stay there. Maybe you can help me with some decorating ideas—not my strong suit,” he said.
“Sure…so Jake, I feel bad about messing last night up even though…”
“Naw, don’t. I’m dying, but I would’ve had an even harder time putting you on that plane after…well, after finally getting to be with you,” he assured her.
“We’ll celebrate your birthday in style,” he said. “Leaving a little something for you at the front desk…it’s just required attire for the weekend.”
“Oh, so now you’re dressing me.”
“Quite the opposite, Sweets.”
“Now I’m curious, but I don’t need stuff. I just want to be with you.”
“Well, that’s a given, but I get to spoil you a bit.”
Chapter Thirty-Four
The next day, he called his mom. He wanted to get her feedback on a birthday present he had a local jeweler make for Rakell. He’d met with the jeweler before he hadENDedRakell and forgot to cancel the order. In general, he was feeling unmoored and just needed his mom. This was love he was feeling, right? Why did it still seem so complicated, almost tenuous? It wasn’t how he’d imagined things. He had believed everything would fall into place when he fell in love.
They decided to meet for lunch downtown close to the jewelry boutique specializing in handmade avant-garde pieces. His mom suggested Roaring Fork because she knew Jake couldn’t resist their lamb fondue and the Big Ass Burger. He ordered both every time they met at this Austin eatery. He got there a few minutes early and ordered himself a beer and a glass of white wine for his mom.
As she walked through the doors, Jake stared at his mom, really taking her in—her erect, almost perfect posture from years of dancing, her jet-black hair cut into a short bob that edged longer toward the front, the deep red lipstick she always wore. Her exquisite poise, as if she was made of fine porcelain, was something that he always thought set her apart from other women. She, his mom, was the first woman he’d ever known and loved but didn’t necessarily understand. Maybe that’s how it was supposed to be—you know them, you love them, then you spend the rest of your life trying to understand them. He wondered if his dad understood her and if he would ever really understand Rakell, the woman he wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
Jake stood watching her smile widen as she approached him, her arms open, ready to embrace him. His six-two frame grew smaller when her hands moved around him, his imposing stance retreating into the little boy inside. She looked up before kissing his cheek. “Jake, so glad you called.”
He raised his head up, his hands on her shoulders. “Thanks for making time for me at the last minute.” Even as he said it, he knew it was bullshit. She always made time for him. Was that the reason he didn’t think twice about her time? Not really. He saw her time as his time. After all, she was his mom and was always available. It struck him then that he’d been able to count on that his whole life. He’d never really felt grateful because it was just how it was. It was a given—Jake needed his parents, and they were there, especially his mom.
“Jake…when am I not available for you?” Her voice was threaded with humor, but Jake heard the scolding dusting the edges. Sliding into the booth across from him, her dark eyes expanded as she took in her son. It was a rhetorical statement, one she wasn’t going to entertain with an answer. She always had time for Jake, but she also had no problem setting him straight.
He took a gulp of beer. “Mom, have I taken advantage of you? I mean, I just expect you’ll be…”
She tilted her chin, her dark brown eyes finding his blue eyes. “Jake, moms don’t see it from that perspective; anytime we get the opportunity to spend time with our adult children, it feels like a gift. It’s as if somehow the universe lets us take a rare step back in time, especially when they need us for something that isn’t a crisis… So you calling me to approve your gift for Rakell, well, I’m delighted.”
This time, he gulped his beer, trying to swallow the constriction in his throat. He really didn’t appreciate this amazing woman the way he should. His dad was lucky. He knewhis mom was exceptional, and he wanted what his parents had, or something resembling the simplicity of their love. He wanted something he didn’t have to worry about. A relationship that the world couldn’t encroach on. “Appetizers?”
