"I-I'm so sorry, Francine."
It felt lame to say, but I was shocked and very ashamed. Here was this woman who had taken the time to learn my family's names, yet I couldn't even pay attention long enough when she told me about her husband's medical condition.
Francine waved off my condolences with a wobbly smile. "You're so sweet."
I wished she would stop saying that because 'sweet' was the last thing I had been to her.
Once she finished moping her eyes, she took a long look at me, taking in my Ralph Lauren long-sleeve blue polo shirt and tan chino pants. "Oh, don't you look dashing. Hot date?"
"Uh...no." I was still stuck on her situation, my mind trying to conjure up a solution, something to help her out, make up for my indifference to her. "No hot date. I'm heading to my mom and dad's for dinner. My aunt, uncle, and cousin will be there, too."
"Well, a family dinner, how nice. I hope you're leaving space for a young lady. You're too young and handsome to be holed up at home without a date."
I hid a smile. "Yes, ma'am. I'll be sure to do that."
As I drove to my parents, I chuckled at my neighbor's parting quip. Two months ago, I would've laughed aloud at her suggestion that I was at home - dateless.
The truth was, it had been two months since I'd slept with someone or even taken a lady out on a date—something of a record for me.
It wasn't that I didn't have options. I had two "sure thing" hookups in Helensville. They had both texted me weekly, more than once, to check whether I was free for some...sexual release.
I was starting to run out of excuses. Sooner or later, they would stop texting me and move on. And I really couldn't muster up the energy to care.
The weekend of Barron's engagement party had really done a number on me. Not only because I was on the receiving end of three verbal beatdowns that caused me to take a long hard look at myself but also because it was the start of a major obsession I was starting to have with a certain curly-haired beauty with golden eyes.
When I pulled up to my parent's place, my aunt, uncle, and Barron were already there.
I had to admit; I felt a little nervous seeing Barron again. I hadn't seen him in person since that weekend, but I had spoken to him since.
A few days after leaving New Haven, I texted to apologize for my behavior. His reply back was a very impersonal"Don't worry about it. It's all good."
Which told me that things were definitelynotgood. It had ''Eden is forcing me to accept your apology'' all over it.
Undeterred, I planned on apologizing in person tonight. Hopefully, doing it face-to-face would make my cousin see how sincere I was in my remorse. Because I was definitely sorry.
"Hi, Son," my mom greeted me with a warm hug.
"Hey, Mom. Dinner smells good."
My mouth watered as I got a whiff of her beef bourguignon simmering away on the stove. My mom's bourguignon was my favorite. I wondered if Sofia had a specialty dish she liked to make. I bet her mom taught her a thing or two in the kitchen.
I shook my head, wondering where that completely random thought came from.
Barron was seated at the kitchen island next to his mom. My uncle Gavin was in the living room with my dad, watching some old western movie on TV.
"Hey, Aunt Kelly." I bent to kiss her cheek.
Back in the day, when I used to stay with my cousin frequently, I thought my aunt was the shit. I adored her. She was easygoing and kind. My uncle Gavin, too, was awesome. He had a wicked sense of humor and always made time for me.
"Hey, Barr." I reached my hand to him.
Barron paused and glanced briefly at my outstretched arm. For a moment, I was worried that he would ignore me. But to my surprise, he gave me a small smile before pulling me in for a hug.
My body relaxed as I returned his back slap. I was under no illusions that this act of brotherly kindness smoothed over any underlying strain between us. I still planned on apologizing. I was just grateful that Barron appeared receptive to me.
"Hey, Si. Good to see you."
"You too, man." I glanced at my aunt, who was busy chatting with my mom. I didn't want to prolong what I wanted to say to Barron, so with both sets of parents distracted, I
