“I can’t believe you never forgot about me.”
Silence greets his words.
After several moments, Emil is the only one who can speak. “We’ve never forgotten you, Ant. We celebrate your birthday, and we buy you gifts for Christmas. Not having you here with us has felt…”—he looks off, biting his upper lip as he comes up with the words—“like a missing limb. My wife, my son? They have never been the same since you were taken from us. Your uncle would’ve gone anywhere that alert told him to go. Any corner of the earth. Terrible people tried to break this family, but they did not succeed.”
Ant shakes his head. “No, they did not. I’m going to need a little time to process, but I didn’t know I could feel like this. I’m sad about what I missed out on, but all I feel is love and joy. Like maybe something inside of me just got put back together.”
All five heads nod in agreement.
“Can we talk to you again tomorrow?” his grandfather asks, his voice papery and kind.
Ant bobs his head. “Yes. I would like that very much.”
They wave at each other and blow kisses as we end the call. I hit the button and let out a big breath. We all look at each other and stand, ending in a big, snotty group hug.
“I’m probably not allowed to have favorites, but I don’t give a shit. This was my favorite reunification,” I whisper in Ant’s ear.
“I won’t tell anyone.”
Javier stands back, wiping his eyes. “I don’t know about you two, but I’m exhausted and starving. Can I make breakfast for us?”
“Sure,” Erik says from the corner of the living room.
I forgot he was there, but the tall Norwegian is a mess like the rest of us. Ant laughs and walks over to him, throwing his arms around him.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
“Anytime, buddy.” Erik hugs him with strength and gentleness, burying his nose in Ant’s hair.
I share a glance with Javier. He reaches out and pulls me into a bracing hug.
“You have put my nephew back together. If there’s anything I could ever do to repay you, please let me know.”
“I’ve got a few guys coming over to help build a deck on my trailer this Sunday. Wanna help?” I ask, completely joking.
“I’m actually pretty good with my hands and would love to help.”
“I’m kidding!”
“I’m not,” he says, pulling back to wipe away tears through his smiles. “I need to work through these emotions somehow, you know?”
I have a few suggestions…
Seriously, Lev?
“Alright, gimme your number, and I’ll let you know when we get started.”
Ant holds his tongue, but just barely. Instead, he tugs on his uncle’s arm. “I believe you promised us breakfast.”
4
JAVIER
Emotionally wrung out, I peruse the refrigerator. For a single guy, Erik’s got a pretty good food selection. Ant is hovering nervously in the background.
“You don’t really have to make us breakfast, you know.”
“I have to do something with my hands, or I’ll go crazy.”
