As my father returns to his car and pulls off down the road, I turn and face Joe. “I’m proud of you, son.” As he says the words I have longed to hear my entire life, I know that, even though my mom is dead, Joe will continue to be a part of my life. As we walk towards everyone else, Joe claps his hand proudly on my shoulder. I can’t help but beam with pride. I don’t think that my father will ever come back into my life, but if he does, he better be ready for a few punches.
When I get to Maddy, there are tears streaking down her cheeks, but she races into my arms and hugs me tightly.
Banding my arms around her, I kiss her on top of her head and whisper, “I’m sorry you had to see that, sweetheart.”
Wiping her face on my jacket, she looks up at me with red and puffy eyes. “You don’teverhave to apologize for standing up for your family. I love you.”
“I love you too, Maddy.”
I pull her to my side and walk towards the door. Dylan, Katie and Joe follow behind and we all retreat into the small, cozy place that I now consider a home.
“Hey, man. You ready to leave? The guys are probably starting without us.” Dylan asks peering over the top of my cubicle. “Yeah. Give me five more minutes.” I nod at him and begin shutting down my computer and organizing the files that I’ll need for Monday morning.
I shake my head remembering the first fight Maddy and I had after we moved in back in January. I didn’t text her when I went out after work with some of the guys. I don’t need that shit again.
“Where the hell have you been? You were supposed to be home over three hours ago? Have you even checked your phone? I’ve been texting and calling you non-stop!” Okay, so I guess the pregnancy hormones have kicked in.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and realize, obviously a little too late, that the battery is dead. “My battery died, Maddy. I’m…” Before I can even get the word “sorry” out she’s back at it again with the yelling.
“You could have called. I made dinner and everything, and now it’s ruined.” She storms off into the kitchen of our small apartment – the one that we moved into immediately after I was placed at The Bridge, a chapter of the Gay Straight Alliance where Dylan works. Watching her full hips sway as she stomps off in front of me, makes me smile. If not for Dylan coming to my mom’s funeral and offering me that opportunity, then I wouldn’t be living here to have this little fight with Maddy.
“Wait a second. Did I hear you correctly? You cooked?” Yes, there’s shock in my voice. Maddy does not cook – well, she tries, but it never turns out all that great.
Hands on hips, she’s in full on tantrum mode. Turning to face me, she taps her foot on the floor in front of her and rolls her eyes at me. I can feel the mood lightening just a little bit. “Yes, I cooked. Jerk.” She huffs at me and then turns back to the stove upon which sits one pot.
Coming up behind her, I wrap my arms around her expanding waist. She’s only about three months pregnant and while her slightly rounded belly still fits within the circle of my arms, it’s starting to show and I love it. Nuzzling into her neck and inhaling the sweet smell of her hair, I kiss the spot on her neck that’s a guaranteed goose bump starter. “I’m sorry, baby. I should have called.” Peering into the pot to check out what’s for dinner, I laugh as I say, “If I would have known that mac and cheese was on the menu, I would have left work early even.”
She twirls around within my arms and sighs at me. “Okay, fine. I never said it was a gourmet, five course meal, but you just got done with your first week at work, and I just thought you would come right home.”
She’s so fucking adorable, making me mac and cheese – the blue box kind with the cheese powder and all – just because I completed my first week of my internship. “I’m sorry. Dylan and a few of the other guys just wanted to take me out for a quick beer to celebrate. I didn’t even realize that I was that late.” Kissing her softly, I feel her body melt up against mine as she squeezes me back.
We stand leaning up against the counter for a few more minutes, and as I look around the small, but modern kitchen, I’m still in awe at the fact that somehow everything worked out. Her head is tucked under my chin and she’s nuzzling into my chest. “Baby, I can’t promise we’ll never fight again, and I’m not saying this as an excuse, but I’ve never had to answer to anyone. This is all so new to me. We’ve only been living together for what, like two weeks?” She pulls back and looks up at me. Her eyes are softer; her early aggravation is dissipating. After a simple nod of recognition from her, I continue my train of thought.
“I will most definitely screw up again. I can guarantee that much, but I promise you this – I will try my hardest to at least call you before I do.” I hope the dorky lopsided grin I flash her conveys just how much I love her.
She smiles back at me – a bit less dorky, but still pretty damn cute. “I’m sorry too, Reid. It’s all new to me too. I promise I’ll at least try not to freak out so much next time you screw up. Deal?”
I kiss her firmly and say, “Deal” agreeing to her terms.
We didn’t have to live apart from each other like we had originally thought. Even though there have been challenges, and I’m sure there will be more fights – much worse than this one, I don’t care. I get to sleep next to her every night. We get to share this apartment together, now rather than later. And I still get to do the job I’ve always wanted to do. Life is pretty damn perfect, if you ask me.
Shaking the memories of our first, let’s call it a ‘misunderstanding’, from my mind, I fire off the text.
Me: Hey baby. Going out to grab a few drinks with Dylan. See you around 9 xoxo
Maddy: Have fun. Say hi to Dylan for me. I’ll be waiting for you ;) xoxo
Me: Hmmmm – naked hopefully ;)
Maddy: Guess you’ll have to wait and see – love you.
Me: Love you too. See you later.
Walking towards Dylan’s small corner office, a few of my co-workers congratulate me on my new full time position as a counselor here at The Bridge. Never in a million years did I think that things would work out like this for me. Dylan walking into my mom’s funeral turned out to be the opportunity of a lifetime for me.
After the fight with my father the day after the funeral, we talked for hours and hours. Learning about the Shane he knew was eye opening. I know I’ll never have Shane back in my life, but talking about him with Dylan, gave me back a piece of my brother.
Leaning against his office door, I take stock of the awards and certificates of appreciation that decorate his wall. He looks up from his computer screen. “Finally ready?” he asks jokingly.
