Chapter 19
CHAPTER
NINETEEN
Ker
There was a large black Jeep in the driveway when they arrived at Muriel’s house.
“Looks like Court’s here already,” Ash remarked.
The afternoon was mostly a repeat of the previous dinner Ker had attended. Once everyone had arrived, they sat down to dinner—pork roast with apple dressing and green beans. Conversation centered around what everyone had been up to that week, and Ker found himself enjoying everything about it. It was so unlike dinner with his own family. At home, his dad tended to monopolize the conversation, instructing Ker and his sister on what they should be doing to help the family out.
As they were cleaning up after dinner, Ker noticed Muriel pull Ash aside and whisper something to him. He was curious about it but figured if it was something he needed to know, Ash would tell him later.
They all retired to the sunroom for more conversation, but soon after, Ash’s brothers began to leave, first Finn and Clay, then Mitch, and finally Court. Ker started to stand and looked at Ash when Finn and Clay departed, thinking they should leave too, but Ash gave his head a brief shake, and Ker sat back down.
When everyone else had gone, Muriel turned to Ker. “Earlier, I asked Ash not to leave right away,” Muriel explained. “I wanted a chance to speak with the two of you alone.”
Ker’s stomach dropped. He gazed downward, not wanting to look at Muriel, afraid of what would come next.
“Mom,” Ash started, but Muriel stopped him with a glance.
“I’ll admit I was a bit concerned when you admitted to me that you had a substance abuse issue in the past, but I didn’t say anything at the time. I know a lot of people in town as well as in Plymouth, and I’ll tell you now, I made a few inquiries.”
Both Ker and Ash looked at each other, shock clearly displayed.
“Discreetly, of course,” Muriel continued. “And everything I heard was that you’re a fine, intelligent person with a very generous nature.”
“Not sure about intelligent,” Ker admitted, “seeing as I’ve done some stupid things in the past. But generous? Well, I try to give back when I can. That’s one reason I volunteer at A Helping Hand.”
“You didn’t hear this from me,” Muriel said, smiling warmly, “but Joyce Riordan thinks the world of you. And trust me, she can be a tough judge of character. In any event, I just wanted to say that I think I may have judged you prematurely, and I’m sorry for that.”
“Thank you,” Ker whispered.
“I want all my sons to be happy.” Muriel gestured toward Ash. “And it seems you make Ash very happy. That’s really all that matters to me. I want to officially welcome you to the Reynolds family and let you know that I’ll do anything in my power to help you both. But if you hurt my son, I can’t promise what I may do.”
“It’s not my intention to ever hurt Ash,” Ker said honestly. “I care about him very much.”
“I can see that in your eyes,” Muriel said, “and looking at Ash, I know he cares about you too.”
Ash nodded and took his mother’s hand.
“Now enough of this heavy talk. Both of you give me a hug and say your goodbyes. And Ker, now that you’re part of the family, you’re expected on Sundays every week unless something pressing requires you elsewhere.” She smiled broadly, and there was a twinkle in her eyes. Ker felt like he had just passed some sort of test.
“Wow,” Ker said when they got into Ash’s SUV. “That was intense.”
“Um, yeah. Sorry about that,” said Ash. “I have to admit, though, I’m not really surprised that Mom did what she did. In so many ways, she’s like a mama bear. She protects her young at all costs. And frankly, I won’t apologize for her. The bottom line is that she supports our relationship and is there for us.”
“I understand,” Ker said. “As creepy as it felt, I have to say I think it’s great that she’ll go to any lengths to care for and protect her family. And I’m honored to be part of the clan as it were. I feel like your family is more supportive of me than my own.”
Ker slept well that evening, knowing that he had the support of the Reynolds family as he and Ash began their new relationship.
When Ker got home on Tuesday, all he could think about was taking some beef stew out of his freezer and heating it up for dinner. It had been so good when he and Ash had eaten it on Saturday evening, and he’d been thinking about it all day.
He was just pulling a container out of the freezer when his phone rang. Glancing quickly at the screen, he saw that it was his mom calling.
“Hey, Mom,” he said in greeting. “What’s going on?”
“Hi, son. Just wanted to say hello and see how you are doing.”
Inwardly he felt there might be more to the reason for the call, but experience had taught him that it was best to just wait it out. He’d know soon enough.
“I’m fine, Mom. Work has been busy, but I’m still enjoying it. And I met someone not too long ago. His name is Ash, and he and I are getting along really well too.” He hadn’t said anything about Ash yet to his parents, but he might as well say something now, as it was bound to come out when he was there for Christmas.
“That’s nice, Ker,” his mom said quietly. “So, Christmas is right around the corner. You’re still planning on getting here on the twenty-third, right? We’re all looking forward to seeing you. It’s been too long since you were here last.”
“Yeah, Mom. I’m working that morning, but I’ll be driving out in the afternoon. I should be there by dinnertime.” He tried to keep his tone upbeat even though he cringed inwardly. He’d avoided going home for so long; why he had finally agreed to this year he could only blame on a lapse in judgement.
“Oh, good. I know your dad has a few things he wants to speak to you about.”
And there it was. Dread crept up his spine. He knew exactly what Dad wanted to discuss with him.
“Mom, we’ve been over this before …” he began.
“Oh, I know, Ker, but please just let him have his say. He’s been thinking about this for a while. It’s very important to him.”
And what about what’s important to me? Don’t I get a say in my future? The thoughts swirled around in Ker’s head, but he held his tongue.
“Fine, Mom. It’s Christmas, and I’ll do my best to behave.”
“We just want you to be happy, son.”
“I am happy, Mom.” Why couldn’t they understand that?
“Okay, I won’t keep you. See you soon.”
“Bye, Mom.”
Ending the call, Ker realized that he’d completely lost his appetite. He returned the stew to his freezer and went to bed—too exhausted from that brief conversation to do anything else. But the thoughts lingered as he lay beneath the covers—if a short phone call made him feel that bad about himself, what was it gonna be like spending a few days with his family?