Chapter Twelve #2
Unfortunately, he did. She meant they had just done exactly what she had been doing to Ben, and it was wrong.
Not to mention dangerous. People who weren’t accepted for who they were ended up depressed, heavily medicated, and suicidal.
He didn’t want that for Ben. Considering how easily Dara had always gotten overwhelmed and hated certain fabrics to the point she couldn’t focus on anything else, he imagined Ben came by it honestly, and the refusal to see that very likely helped fuel her drug addiction.
He wouldn’t kick his mom while she was down by saying that.
Ruth worked on breakfast while she spoke.
She had always been the same, needing a shield to handle the hard talks.
“Before I flew out here, I had already decided maybe I wasn’t what Ben needs.
So let me tell you how beyond irked I am that you haven’t been taking my calls.
Have I ever done anything to you that’s made you feel like we can’t work it out? We talked every day before this.”
She really did not want him to be honest. He had loved feeling like they got along great, but no. She did not make confrontations easy. He took another approach. “Mom, you were a lawyer and a judge. It’s not fun arguing with you.”
She huffed. “I tried my best not to bring that home.”
Blaze smiled. “I know. If it makes you feel better, I had a great childhood. I love talking to you every day. You’re a big reason why I wasn’t scared to follow my dreams straight into success. But, truthfully, coming home for any family gathering has been kind of not fun for a while now.”
She stopped and turned. The way she held his stare let him know she hadn’t noticed and was offended. “Well, you’re grown. Parties are for kids.”
Blaze gave her a look he felt from his soul.
“That’s not the problem. Alcohol exists for a reason, and I can get through anything with a strong enough drink.
But are you seriously telling me you haven’t noticed how Chrissy and Melinda treat me?
You honestly don’t know they hate gays and make sure I know it?
Are you saying you didn’t notice how my brothers stand by that shit?
Bringing German with me on the Fourth was the best time I’ve had in years, simply because he looks scary, so they steered clear.
Otherwise, I’m just the little brother they feel no remorse for shitting on. ”
His mom looked furious. “The hell you say. I didn’t raise my kids to be that way.
I made sure all of you understood equality and standing up for others.
” She marched into the family room and came back with her phone.
“Not my kids. I’ll call them little hussies right now.
You know they’re teaching my grandbabies that same shit. I’m not having it.”
Blaze set his hand over hers, stopping her from calling anyone. “Stop. It’s okay.”
“It’s not okay!” Her anger took Blaze by surprise.
She never lost her temper. Ruth lowered her voice.
“It’s not okay,” she repeated. “I’ve got a son who doesn’t want to come home because of the way he’s treated.
I have a daughter who acts like I don’t exist, and I don’t even know why.
Then I’ve got two sons acting like complete assholes.
” She covered her eyes for a second. “And I guess that explains why Denise is scared to bring her secret wife around. Fuck.” She paced away.
“You know about Sonya?” Blaze couldn’t have been more surprised if she smacked him with a flip-flop.
She kept pacing. “Of course, I do. I might be retired, but I still have friends at the courthouse. Fran called to congratulate me on my new daughter-in-law after they exchanged vows there. She obviously had no idea that I didn’t know.
I don’t even know what’s happening to my life.
” She stopped. A sob escaped her. “I very likely have a daughter dead somewhere, and I don’t know what to do.
” She barely got the words out through her tears.
Blaze pulled her into his arms. “We’ll figure it out, Mom.
I can hire some people to look for her. She has to have left some sort of trail.
But I refuse to believe she’s dead. Dara is way too hardheaded for that.
” God, he prayed he wasn’t lying. He no more knew what was going on than his mom did.
Dara had looked so determined when she had shown up at that hotel. He didn’t know what to think now.
Blaze hugged her tighter. He spoke against her temple. “Is this a bad time to tell you German and I are getting married?”
A watery-sounding laugh burst from her. She took a step back and wiped her eyes. “I’m happy to hear it. You’d better move fast. That’s not the type of man you let get away.”
Blaze smiled. “I know. Like where did he even come from?”
Ruth laughed again. “Right? No way in hell your dad would’ve taken one of my sister’s kids. He never even stayed home with any of the kids he spawned.” Ruth waved him away. “You should go take your cute little pj pictures. I’ll handle breakfast.”
“Are you sure?” Blaze didn’t want to leave her again if she planned to cry some more.
She nodded. “Go. I need a few minutes alone.”
Blaze backed toward the door. “Okay. Just yell if you need some help and I’ll send German.” He laughed as she tossed a hand towel at him. “Brat.”
Blaze jogged out of the kitchen, laughing and dodging. He found German and Ben on the floor, putting together a racetrack. “Hey, guys. This looks great. Is it okay to hit pause and take pictures before we all fry in these outfits?”
They were on their feet in a flash. “Please. I’m sweating like crazy under this thing.”
Ben nodded, looking serious. “He said he was sweating like a jalapeno’s coochie.”
Blaze bent at the waist and fought for his life. He didn’t know if he had ever laughed harder.
German groaned. “Please don’t repeat that.”
For sure, there was no way German had expected Ben to mimic him. Blaze didn’t know why. There was obviously no one Ben loved more. Of course, he would want to be just like him in every way. But that was exactly why Blaze knew Ben would grow up to be a great man. He had the greatest example.