Total pages in book: 178
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 170884 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 854(@200wpm)___ 684(@250wpm)___ 570(@300wpm)
“So let me move back in!” Happy thundered.
Dave boomed, “I’ve been trying to for months. I just didn’t know how!”
To that, Happy had no response. But Twitch did. He put his lips to the shell of my ear, sounding smug as all get out. “And that’s how it’s done.” As I leaned into him, smiling to myself, his arm tightened around my shoulders. When neither Happy nor Dave spoke, Twitch got sick of the way they stood there looking extremely puzzled by the last minute’s exchange. He clicked his tongue, “Bro.” Happy turned back to face him, and Twitch uttered a bored, “You gonna kiss and make up or what? ‘Cause I gotta tell ya.” He made an uninterested face. “I’m kinda done with this bullshit.”
Nikki’s small smile stretched wide as she watched from the sideline, and when Happy took his time, she put her hand to his thigh and gently pushed him toward Dave. And after what felt like a lifetime, when Happy moved, so did Dave.
The two men embraced like lovers reunited, and when they kissed, I felt their broken connection fuse, mending right in front of my eyes. They kissed slowly, and my heart began to swell at the way their love filled the room.
Nikki’s rested her clamped hands under her chin, looking blissfully happy. But when her eyes caught something by the door, her face turned alarmed and she let out a startled, “Uh....”
And when I turned back, I saw why.
A.J. stood there, watching Happy and Dave rekindle their bond. He didn’t look upset or disgusted. Just curious.
The light grunt that escaped me had everyone turning toward my son, and when they did, they stilled completely, frozen in shock.
It took him a while before he spoke, but I knew he would eventually.
“Uncle Happy,” he asked inquisitively, “Why are you kissing Dave?”
My heart stuttered.
Oh, God, I wasn’t prepared for this talk. Why was I not prepared for this talk? I knew it would come eventually. I should have been ready for this talk!
Happy’s looked panicked. “Uh....”
“Well...” Dave’s cheeks were flushed and he swallowed hard. “You see, little dude....” Dave trailed off, not sure what to say, looking to me for help.
An unsuspected hero came to the rescue.
“Come here, bud,” Twitch uttered, patting the small spot next to him. “Sit.” A.J. took the seat next to his father, and when Twitch spoke, I was stunned by what he said. “Uncle Happy and Dave are in love, and that’s why they were kissing.”
Ugh. My heart.
The little monster frowned in thought. “But I thought Nikki and Uncle Happy loved each other.”
“We do.” Nikki smiled sweetly. “Very much.” She peered over at Dave. “But we love Dave too.”
Twitch looked down at our little guy, and explained, “Sometimes dudes fall in love with dudes, and that’s okay.”
Yes, it was, baby. Preach.
A moment’s silence passed.
A.J. turned to Nikki and asked interestedly, “Do you all sleep in the same bed?”
Well, shit.
My stomach dipped violently.
Nikki got over her shock quickly and cleared her throat. “Yes, we do, honey.”
A.J.’s nose bunched as he looked over at Happy and Dave. When he turned back to Nikki, he said, “Don’t you get squished?”
Nikki’s surprised laughter sounded throughout the room, and she nodded. “Well, yeah. Sometimes I do.”
A.J. sat back into his grinning father and threw out a suggestion. “Maybe you should get a bigger bed.”
“You know what?” Nikki stifled her laughter. “That’s a great idea. Maybe we should.”
And while all of this was happening, I just sat there, blinking down at my son. The amount of pride I felt in that moment was incomparable. He really was a beautiful soul. Our boy. A.J was resilient, he was pure of heart, and he continued to amaze me. As mothers often did, I couldn’t wait to see the man he would become. I already knew he would be something special, and the woman who captured his heart would be exceptional in every way, shape, and form.
I, for one, couldn’t wait to meet her.
The afternoon went on, and after I signed the forms, I handed them to Happy. “Thank you for doing this.”
He tucked the Power of Attorney papers into his jacket pocket. “Don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about the house. Don’t worry about anything. I’ll make sure you get the best possible price for it.” He inclined his head to Twitch. “You too, bro.”
I knew he would, but as I looked around the house I called home for the last six years, I couldn’t help but feel a sweeping sadness rush through me. I hugged myself as I looked down the hall. The very same hall my son had taken his first steps in. There were a lot of memories lining these walls. I just hoped they would stay fresh in my mind as we made new memories wherever we ended up.