Chapter Thirty-One #2
Mom laughed. "You had to double-check, huh? Might I remind you, I raised six boys."
"I know, I know. And you’re right. Even the doctor recommended this type of cracker. I just didn't get around to buying them. Want a coffee?" I asked her as we both sat at the dining table.
"No, I'm good. Just a bit worried about the little one."
"Doctor checked him. It's really just food poisoning."
"I keep trying to think what it was that he ate. I think it was that sandwich he asked for when we went to town. It's the only thing I didn't have, too, or else I’d probably be ill."
"It could be a number of things. Maybe even something you had too. Kids are more sensitive."
Her chin wobbled. "I feel so guilty."
I shook my head. "Really, Mom, there’s no reason to."
"How are you two coping without Riley?"
"Well, Jeremy keeps asking about her."
"And you?" Mom asked.
"I'd want nothing more than for her to just be here with us. She actually really wanted to come by. I told her not to."
"Why not?" she asked sharply.
I sighed. "Because she's starting a new job. She needs to make a good impression." Even as I said this, I thought the song was getting old, so to speak.
"Oh. You do make a point."
"It's something that's been on my mind lately," I confessed. "She's so young. She needs to focus on her job. I can't help but feel that…"
"The two of you are going to hold her back?" she said when I didn’t finish.
I narrowed my eyes. "Griffin talked to you?"
"Yes, he did." Mom looked at me with a kind expression.
"Duncan, listen. I know you're used to being in control of everything. Your dad and I fully accept the blame for that. When you kids were young, everything spiraled downward, and I’m sure our unstable marriage impacted you kids. Everything felt out of your control."
"I don't blame you for anything, Mom. You both did your best."
"Well, we tried. I'm grateful that you don't blame us. But regardless, I think there’s some impact that probably affects us all.
And I think those years really affected you most of all.
" She looked down at her hands and back up at me.
"Because, well, you were older and always trying to look out for the rest. You can't always pave the way and make it smoother for everyone around you, be that for us, or Jeremy, or Riley. "
"But I'm going to try damn hard," I said.
"I know you will. But if Riley wants to be here for the two of you in every capacity she can, then it's not really up to you to tell her no. If you love her."
"What?" I asked, though I shouldn’t have been surprised that my whole family had apparently figured out how deeply I felt for Riley.
"I know. What a strange concept, right? That woman loves you. And you really care about her."
"I do," I said, still shocked that Mom could read me so well. "But the timing of this…"
"No, don't do that," she said, shaking her head.
"The timing is never right. I mean, look at me and your dad.
We did everything by the book, the way everyone back then used to do things: get married young, start a family, buy a home.
And then it all crashed and burned. And now, in the winter of our lives, we…
well, I don't want to get ahead of myself, but we're finding our way back to each other. "
I groaned. Talking about it was simply awkward. "So, it's a sure thing, then?"
"No, not at all. But, between you and me, I think you inspired him. He's taking me on a weekend away to New York."
"Good for you," I said. "You've always wanted to see New York."
"Yes, I have. But I've always wanted to see it with your dad, too, and what do you know? Thirty-five years later, we’re getting the honeymoon we never had.
" She pressed her lips together. "Don't wait for the right time. Because I can tell you, it’s always going to be right now, not some time in the future. Okay?"
I nodded. "You're right."
"All right. Well, since Jeremy's asleep, I'm just going to go. Tell him I stopped by and that I can come whenever he wants me to."
"I will, Mom. Thanks."
She smiled. "Of course. Anything for my grandkid."
Over the next few hours, I doted on Jeremy. The plan was consolidating in my mind. I was so focused on it that I forgot that Knox, Finn, and Griffin were stopping by in the evening. They wanted to check on Jeremy. To my surprise, Knox came with a bottle of wine.
"I was in Napa this weekend," he said, "and the team at the winery gave me a bottle of the handcrafted vintage they had in storage.”
"Want us to open it?" I asked.
He cocked a brow. "No. It’s for you. Rumor has it that you might need it to impress a certain lady."
I stared at him. Finn and Griffin both start laughing.
“Griffin talked to you?” I asked.
"Yeah, obviously," Knox said.
"I'll take it," I said. “Damn, you move fast.”
"Yeah, you all give me shit for flying by the seat of my pants, but that's how I get my best ideas," Knox said.
"I won't argue with that," I said.
“Yeah, you do you, brother,” Griffin said, patting his shoulder.
Jeremy came running from his bedroom, smiling at the group. He looked much better.
"Buddy, you look good," Knox said. "How about you spend the weekend with us?" He looked from Jeremy to me.
"Yes, Dad, can I? Can I go with my uncles after we make our plan?"
Since Riley was with her mom and Paula on Saturday, we needed to put our plan in motion on Sunday. “You can spend Sunday evening together. After we go to Riley’s house.”
"Wait, you’re both going to Riley’s house?" Knox asked.
"Yes. We’re going to surprise her,” Jeremy said.
"We can pick you up from there,” Finn said.
"What do you plan on doing?” I asked my brothers.
“Take him to the movies,” Finn replied.
“Sounds good,” I assured him.
Knox glanced at the wine. “Good thing I brough this bottle. You need all the help you can get with Riley.”
I laughed. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
Griffin rolled his eyes. "Talking is not your forte. Brother, if you’re serious about her, then don’t let her doubt it.”
“That’s unexpected advice coming from you.”
“I want the best for you. And you’re different around Riley. Doesn’t mean it’s what I want for myself. Dating is enough.”
I raised a brow. “A whole lot of dating.”
“Which all of social media knows about, apparently.” It was the first time he’d seemed frustrated about it. “But this isn’t about me. It’s about you. And Riley. Don’t mess this up.”
“I won’t.”