Prologue #2
I didn’t expect they’d talk to Lena. She’d be going off to college soon and we were all going to be cranky not having her around anymore.
“How’s Kid?” I asked, picking up a wrapped burger with my name tape to the outside of the wrapper.
Kid was Bishop, Lena’s boyfriend.
Though he’d wanted to start university a year before, his portfolio wasn’t up to speck and the universities he’d applied for all rejected him.
He’d been heartbroken when Lena started school. He worked hard, taking on freelance work. Kaos hired him to rebrand the club and with word of mouth, he was able to build a better portfolio.
“He’s okay.” Lena eased a wrapped burger across the space to me then dropping a pack of fries on one of the paper plates. “Just received his university acceptance in the mail and he’s acting a fool.”
I chewed.
“What do you mean?”
“Well.” She bit her burger. “He doesn’t want to go because it’s a different school than mine. Which makes no sense because he’s worked so hard to earn that offer.”
I smiled.
“He wants to go into video game designs and the best place for that accepted him.” She continued. “I mean, sure. We won’t see each other every day. But we can do weekends and some over nights—we have ways now.”
I sighed.
“He’s scared,” I said.
“Of what? That I’m going to cheat?”
Shaking my head, I unwrapped my burger to pull it apart and added some ketchup before assembling it again.
They’re so young.
“I don’t think that’s why he’s scared.” I explained. “I think he’s not used to being so far away from you. Usually, if he missed you, he could just drive over. He could surprise you at school—now if he wants a hug, he’s going to have to wait and wait—”
Lena hung her head.
“Try not to be too hard on him.” I patted her head. “He’s young and he loves you. I think he has no idea how to stay close to you especially from so far and that’s weighing on him.”
Lena sighed.
“I didn’t see it that way.” She told me.
“That’s why you have me.” I told her. “He’s just not used to being so far away from you.”
“You think so?”
“He’s a man, Lena. He’ll never say it outright.” I paused to chew. “We always try protecting our pride and ego or whatever you call it. There are a lot of changes coming. Major ones.”
“Bishop doesn’t like changes.” Lena smiled, admiration on her face. Remember how long it took him to accept his nickname?”
I chuckled.
Kaos started calling Bishop Kid. It was a name that stuck, and he didn’t take to it for some time.
“Now think about this whole school thing.” I continued. “New home, new classes, teachers, faces. And the days when all of that overwhelms him all he can do his suck it up. He can’t run to you.”
“Some of that did dawn on me.” She admitted in a small voice.
“It’ll be fine. I think the two of you have your heads on right. You’re strong. You’ll see.”
“I’m glad we had this talk, uncle.” Lena nodded. “I think I get why he’s so hesitant. I don’t want him giving up his dreams for me or anyone else. We have to make this work.”
I nodded.
“But as hard as being long distance will be, this will be good for our relationship.” Lena didn’t sound convince. “I hope.”
“Oh, that’s a thought.”
“And good for his career. And it’ll only be for two years. I mean, my program is three years, his is two—but it will be hard.”
I nodded.
“Oh gawd. He’s going to be sad all the time.”
“I’m sure you guys can make it work.” I told her. “And keep in mind, you have the summers to be together at home.”
“Makes sense.”
I smiled at her.
Spending time with Lena always brought so much joy to me. She was a lovely child—only she’d gone through so much. From her father’s drug addiction, to being kidnapped—it all would be too much for most.
Luckily her father was serious about his sobriety now after relapsing many times before.
That may have had something to do with Kaos threatening to kill him if anything happened to Lena again.
Then there was her mother’s death—the catalyst for why her father had fallen down such a dark hole.
But she’d refused to live with him again. And to make any kind of decisions on her behalf, Kaos and Zoom had taken on being her guardian.
It was a situation that would change to adoption if her father fell back into old habits.
Lena wasn’t’ taking anymore chances. She’d been happy living with Kaos and Zoom. And after her father started rehab again, she decided to stay.
The firefighter and her soldier husband didn’t mind having Lena around.
“It was good to see you, Lena.” I admitted to her. “You know that, right?”
“Of course, I know.” Lena leaned in. “You love me—so, I know.”
“The ego on this one.”
She giggled and waved a French fry at me.
“Don’t tell him I told you. Uncle Moose was worried about you.” She admitted. “They didn’t want to seem as if they’re checking up on you, but they were checking up on you. Everything okay? Why are they worried?”
I nodded.
“Just tired and I was a little off while Moose was here. Been kind of burning the candle at both ends with Zoom out.” I told her. “When Zoom comes back, I’m going to take some time to relax.”
“Good idea.” Lena approved. “Maybe visit your favourite niece at uni?”
I laughed and patted her head.
“You’re my only niece.” I reminded her. “But of course, I’ll visit. Have to keep an eye on these little boys.”
Lena giggled. “What little Boys? I have Bishop.”
“True.” I winked at her.
I changed the subject to her schooling. She lit up talking about the school and her program.
In that moment, I felt the world slowly sliding off my shoulders.