Chapter 53
Chapter Fifty-Three
Emmet
Three months later…
“Thank you so much for all your help, Emmet.”
My father gives me a bright but tired smile.
“You don’t have to thank me, Dad.”
“Your mother would have loved this.”
He puts his arm around me, and we look out at the space we rented for her Celebration of Life party.
It’s nearly Christmas, and we went with a sort of Winter Wonderland theme.
Mom loved Christmas, but always preferred the blue and silver theme over the red and green, so that’s what we chose. There are photos all over the walls. Hundreds of them. Family photos of just us, stuff with her and my dad, and plenty of them with the kids they fostered through the years.
“It’ll be a good turn out,” I say.
“I sure hope so, son.”
“It will be,” I say firmly.
The door opens, and I look over my shoulder. Adam walks in, giving me a smile.
“Adam,” my father greets, letting go of me and going to him. He wraps him in a tight hug. “How are you?”
“I’m great, Mr. Durant. How are you?”
He shrugs. “Good as can be.”
“I’m glad to hear it. It’s so nice to see you.”
“It’s nice to see you, too, especially doing so well.”
I walk over to them. “People will probably start showing up in about thirty minutes. Is there anything else we need to do?”
They both look around the room, and no one can think of anything else we need to do to set up. So we walk over to the bar and have a drink.
“This is so nice,” my father says. “Getting old sucks, but seeing you boys all grown up… being able to have a drink with you?” He chuckles before bringing the bottle to his lips and taking a sip. “It’s real nice.”
“I’m glad you think so, Dad, because we were thinking.” I give Adam a smile.
“Oh? Is that what I smell?” He laughs, and I roll my eyes, but Adam chuckles too, so I give him a little shove.
“We’d like to take the kids to Florida to visit you sometime. Maybe when school is done.”
My father’s eyes shine brightly, getting a little glossy. He ducks his head and shakes it. “Nothing would make me happier.”
When people start to show, we mingle and catch up with people we haven’t seen in years.
Adam hardly knows anyone here, and I remember most of them, but my father?
He remembers every single one of the boys who walks through that door.
He greets them all by name, hugs them all, and asks about their life.
It is by far one of the sweetest things I have ever seen in my entire life.
“Your dad is a good man,” Adam says, coming to stand beside me.
“He sure is.”
“It’s where you got it from, you know.”
“I got it from both of them.”
“You’re right,” Adam says. “Your parents are great. We’re lucky to have them.”
I throw my arm around him, and pull him close to me.
“I’m sorry your parents didn’t get to meet your kids. I can’t imagine that being easy.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not, but I like to believe they have met them. Somehow.”
I nod. “You never know what’s waiting for us on the other side.”
“Hey, Emmet?”
I look to my side, and someone who looks vaguely familiar stops beside us. He’s younger than me, maybe mid twenties. Dark red hair, lots of freckles, bright green eyes. Looks like he goes to the gym a few times a week.
“Hey,” I say with a smile.
He puts his hand on his chest. “Miles.”
My eyes widen. “Oh, shit.” I lean in for a hug. “I’m sorry, but you’ve grown up.”
He chuckles, scratching the back of his neck. “Yeah, I have. You too.”
“I was already an adult when we met. Oh, this is my boyfriend, Adam.”
“Hey.” Adam offers out his hand, and they shake.
“It’s nice to meet you,” Miles says, then turns his attention back on me. “So, I hear you live in Seattle now?”
“Yeah, we do. I’ve been there a year now,” I say.
“I’m actually moving there myself.”
“Is that so?” Adam says. “What area?”
“Don’t mind him. He’s a realtor.”
“Really?” Miles asks. “That’s actually great news because I haven’t found a place to live yet.”
“Well, you’re in luck. Adam is the best.”
“I wouldn’t say that, but I am pretty good.”
“While you two talk, I’m going to get a drink. Miles, would you like something?”
“Oh, no thanks. I don’t drink.” He pulls his hand from his pocket to show me a chip. I nod, giving him a proud smile.
“Good for you, man. Seriously.”
His smile grows, and I hear him and Adam get into conversation about different areas of Seattle while I walk away. I take my time, and choose not to bring Adam a drink while he’s talking with Miles because I don’t want to be an asshole.
I’m sure plenty of men in this room are dealing with a similar thing.
I’m not so naive to think every kid who left my parents went on to live a happy life.
Kids in foster care don’t have it easy, and a lot of times, those problems follow them for a long time.
A lot of them choose to medicate with street drugs and alcohol.
I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the people here are high right now.
It sucks, but it’s the reality of it. Love doesn’t fix everything, but it’s a good starting point.
“God, I miss your mother.” My father sits on the stool beside me. “She’d love this.”
I smile as I look around at all the people who showed up. There’s at least a hundred people in here now, never mind those who stopped by for a few just to pay respects and then left.
“She would have,” I agree. “You did good, Dad. I’m proud of you.”
His smile is sad, and he shakes his head again. “You’re a good kid, Emmet. Now stop with the sappy stuff and buy your old man a drink.”