Chapter 43
Randy
I have no idea where my mom has been storing all my old toys, but just seeing them floods me with happy childhood memories.
Rachel is intrigued as she passes Sam another army man, which he accepts and places in the back of the yellow truck.
It wobbles in the tray as he walks it around the backyard, my mom watching him intently—her smile almost as big as Sam’s.
“I’m not sure who is having more fun,” Rachel says, her hand resting on my knee as we sit on the back step watching them.
“My mom,” I don’t hesitate to reply. “Honestly you’ve made her day.”
My mom dusts off her knees and stands, walking toward us with a broad smile still stretched across her face. “He is so gorgeous, Rachel. You should be so proud.”
Rachel beams. “I am—he’s my world. I’d be lost without him.”
“You have done an amazing job. And any time my boy here,” my mom head nods in my direction, “can take you on a date. I would be more than happy to watch him if you’re comfortable with that.”
“That’s really sweet, thank you.”
“Oh, no need to thank me. I’m usually home alone. He will be good company for me. He can help me with some baking, and I’m sure I still have more boxes of toys in the garage he can help me find.”
We've been at my mom’s house for the past four hours, and I’m glad to see how well they’re all getting along.
My mom seems to adore Rachel, though Sam may still be her favorite, having already wrapped himself around her heart.
No surprise there. He’s done the same to mine, though his mother owns it now.
My phone rings in my pocket, and I reach for it.
Seth’s name flashes across the screen. “No, I’m not sleeping with an Abigail,” I say, answering the phone with a grin.
Rachel frowns comically and slaps my arm as I shoot her a look.
Standing, I walk to the end of the patio to hear what Seth has to say.
“Walsh lands tomorrow afternoon,” he says, ignoring my comment and getting straight to the point like a typical male. “I was thinking we all go pick him up from the airport and head out to dinner.”
“Just us guys?”
“Whatever you boys want, you have the girlfriends,” Seth replies.
“I’m thinking just the boys. Maybe he might give us some more details if it’s just us four.”
“Agree.”
“Done.”
“Christian is home, I’ll let him know.”
“Cool. We won’t be long,” I say, ending the call and walking back to the two most important women in my life.
“Everything okay?” my mom asks.
“Yeah, Walsh flies home tomorrow, so I’ll go with Seth and Christian to pick him up.”
“Oh, that will be good for him—to get back to his routine. I hope you can find out what happened to the poor boy.”
“Maybe,” I say with a shrug, knowing how withdrawn Walsh has been about it. I turn to Rachel, “The boys were thinking we would go pick up Walsh together. Take him out to dinner, try to get some answers…. just us boys. If that’s okay with you? I mean, if you wanna come, that’s fine.”
“No, I think that a really good idea. You boys just go.”
My mom sighs, turning her head back to Sam. She laughs as he runs around the backyard, completely in his element, playing with my old toys.
“Are you replacing me with a cuter version?” I ask my mom from behind my grin.
“Never, my baby…but I think Sam and I would have a fantastic time together. And look,” she points, “he keeps his clothes on.”
Rachel giggles. “So that started at an early age?”
“I can’t remember a time that he was ever happy to wear clothes.”
“Seriously, Mom,” I protest.
“You had such a cute tooshie and always wanted to show it off. Remember that time in the middle of the shopping center you pulled your pants down and peed in the flowerpot. Your butt cheeks were showing and you were so proud of yourself.”
“Anyway,” I say, reaching for Rachel’s hand as she laughs at my expense. “We should be going.” I pull her up and to her feet.
My mom sighs and steps toward me as I release Rachel’s hand to wrap her in a hug. “Okay, my boy, I’ll see you soon.”
She hugs Rachel next. “It was so lovely to meet you, and that precious boy of yours.”
“Thank you for having us.”
“Oh please, anytime you want to visit, you are more than welcome to.”
Christian: *added Seth to the group*
Christian: Spoke 2 Seth, down with just us guys picking up Walsh. Shelby agreed.
Walsh: I love how Cap has to check with the GM (girlfriend manager).
Christian: I didn’t check with her….
Walsh: Next jersey order, putting her name on the back instead of his. Lol
Christian: *finger emoji*
Me: Cool, I’m in.
We climb in my truck after strapping Sam in, but not before promising Mom we would all be back soon for a visit. Sam also put up a fight as he wanted to spend more time with my mom, which I know secretly made her happy. “You know what’s not fair?” I say to Rachel.
“What?” she says, looking over to me as I reverse out of the driveway.
“That I don’t have twin sisters you have to meet next.”
She laughs at me. “I think all you need to do is bring two tickets to a home game and you’re in with the men in my family.”
“I can do that.” I wink.