“With Psalms and Rugger as his parents, I don’t think he could be any other way.”
“He’s special.”
I agreed.
“I need to spend more time with them.”
“The children?”
“No,” I pushed out a shaky breath. “Mercer, Malachi, Makai, and Milo.”
“You should. I’m sure they’re happy to have you near.”
“It feels–I feel like–”
“Like he’s still around?”
I nodded as if she could see me.
“It doesn’t matter how much time passes. I miss having him around. Sometimes I need that hug.”
“The one he hates?”
“Yes, but can’t resist. That one. And his wisdom. I miss seeing him whenever I needed. Whenever I wanted.”
“He misses it, too. As happy as he is, he’s just as sad. His children are out in the wild without him.”
“His children. Funny, girl.”
“You know he believes you are. I don’t think he knows Richie and I are your parents. I believe we’re surrogates in his mind.”
“That sounds about right.”
“He visited.”
“Of course.”
“Ishmael loves the water, too. He reminds me of Teddy in many ways.”
“So does Priest, Psalms, and Israel. Saint is–”
“Perfect for Rome.”
“Yes. Because, as much as we’d like to believe otherwise, she is too much like him.”
“She’s his baby.”
“She’s his baby,” my mother repeated.
“He wants to win this election fairly.”
“Let him.”
“It won’t work out in his favor if he does. They need him, Mom.”
It wasn’t often I used the term, but it was sweet on my tongue each time I tasted it.
“They don’t always know what’s good for them.”
