Chapter 27
The knock on his front door caught Marcus off guard as he stepped out of the bedroom fully dressed.
He turned to see Ma standing beyond the window.
“Fuck,” he whispered under his breath.
But she’d already seen him. The unlocked knob turned, and she let herself in.
“Good morning,” she said with a sunny smile.
“Morning, Ma.”
“Are you up early or staying up late?”
“I took last night off.”
“I hear you’re taking tonight off too.”
“I am.”
Ma peeked around, as if looking to see if Flynn was inside. “You’re alone?”
“No, she’s in the bathroom.”
Ma’s brows rose. “Oh.”
He wasn’t about to keep secrets from her. Plus, he was a grown man. If she didn’t want to know, then she shouldn’t have come knocking.
“So, that’s how it is. You’ve clearly made your choice,” she said.
“Have you ever felt like God makes some of your choices for you? So you don’t mess them up?”
His mother pinned him with a stare. “You think this is one of those?”
“I think this was a gift.”
Her lips pressed together for a moment, and then she smiled. “You’re my little boy, even if you’re a grown man. All I’ve ever wanted is for you to be happy, Marcus. If she makes you happy, then I’m happy for you.”
“Come here, Ma.” He held out his arms, and she came in for a hug. “You’re the best—you know that? I’m a lucky guy to have you for a mom.”
She squeezed him back. “You’re going to make me cry, Marcus.”
“I guess I need to keep saying it so you get used to it.”
She pulled back and wiped a tear. “You say it plenty. That doesn’t mean I won’t cry every time. I love you.”
“Love you, Ma.” He kissed the top of her head. “Now, what can I do for you?”
“What kind of cake does she like?”
He grinned. “You’re making one?”
“Of course. How can it be possible no one has ever made that girl a cake? She might be younger than you, but that’s enough years on earth to have a homemade birthday cake.”
He knew his mom would gather Flynn up under her wings like the rest of her chicks, wanting to keep her safe and make sure she was loved and cared for.
It was what his family did. It didn’t matter who was blood and who wasn’t.
People who needed the love of a family got adopted by the Quinterros.
Like Gabe and Bump when they’d shown up out of nowhere nearly twenty years ago now.
“Let me ask her.” He crossed to the bathroom door and tapped on it. “Hey, baby. What kind of birthday cake do you want? Ma’s asking.”
With his ear close to the hollow wood door, he heard the water splash.
“I don’t need a cake. It’s fine. It’s no big deal. Tell her not to bother. I’m good.”
“Flynn, simple question. Chocolate, vanilla, yellow, lemon, coconut, German chocolate, red velvet … just pick one, okay?”
“But—”
“Don’t make me get bossy. And if you don’t pick, she’ll make three instead of one, just so you get something you like.”
He glanced at his ma, and her expression was unreadable.
Then she tilted her head. “You’re not wrong.”
“Vanilla,” Flynn said through the door. “Wait, no. Chocolate. Wait. Lemon? Hold on …”
Marcus laughed. “Tough decision, Stiglette.”
“Chocolate. Final answer. Chocolate.”
“You hear that, Ma?”
Flynn gasped, clearly just realizing his mother was in the house.
“The doors in this house are paper thin, Marcus. Of course I heard her.”
“Do you want chocolate cherry, chocolate raspberry, chocolate buttercream?” his mom called to Flynn.
There was a long pause, and he opened his mouth to repeat the question, but she finally answered, “Chocolate cherry. That sounds incredible. Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure, dear. We’ll see you at six for dinner. Come hungry.” Ma paused. “Do you like enchiladas?” she asked Flynn through the door.
“I love them. Thank you. You really don’t have to go through so much trouble.”
“Of course we don’t have to. We want to.” She looked at Marcus. “Don’t be late.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“See you soon, Flynn. Happy birthday.”
“Thank you.”
Ma turned for the door. With her hand on the knob, she paused. “Do you think she’s never had a birthday party?”
“Not everyone’s as lucky as us, Ma.”
Ma shook her head. “Well, that ends today. That girl needs a family.”
“If it’s up to me, she’s got one now.”
Ma’s smile turned up to a thousand watts. “I started to give up hope too. St. Jude always comes through.” She blew him a kiss. “Have a good day, Marcus.”
“Love you, Ma.”