"Hey, Dad." My dad, Billy, opens his arms for Charlotte to climb into the chair with him. He looks up and smiles at me, then gives Remington a curt nod. "This is Remington."
"Nice to meet you," my dad says and he doesn't hide his lack of interest at all in his tone. I give Remi a tight-lip smile and we sit down on the opposite end of the couch. I immediately curl into Remi's side and his arm goes around my shoulder.
We don't really talk much. No one asks Remi about his life like his family did with mine. Remi's family all know I work atthe coffee shop, half of them promising to stop by and see me if they're in the area. The silence is awkward here. I want them to ask questions, to talk to Remi. I'm so proud of all his work he's done to build his business. Everything he's done for me.
It's only ten more minutes until Mom is calling us back to the table. Everything is set and I sigh internally that my family loves to use actual plates instead of disposable.
"Billy, can you say grace?"
We pass the food around after Dad blesses everything. I get a scoop of each dish, still full but knowing my mom will comment if I'm not eating something. My plate is full and it's stressing me out a bit that the gravy is starting to run onto the green beans and roll.
Our conversations aren't as hectic over this meal. One meal with Remi's family and I want that, not this half silent, shallow topics only talk. Bea gives us an update on Charlotte's milestones and Dad talks about his work. He's worked the same job for forty years, refusing to retire because, "I'll just be bored".
"Remington owns his own property business," I say with a smile when there is a lull in the conversation. "He built it himself from the ground up."
"Is that right?" My dad, at least, seems interested in that fact. I can see my mom and Bea sharing glances and it's making me uncomfortable. "How is that going in this economy?"
While Remington answers, he leans back in the chair and casually puts his arm over the back of mine. His fingers graze over the back of my shoulder. I could listen to Remi talk about his job all day long. He is such a hard worker and I really hope that the trip this weekend is successful for him.
"Austin, do you mind helping me get the dessert?" Bea asks. "I think Mom made a couple of pies."
"Yeah." I stand and take Remi's plate this time. He thanks me quietly and goes back to talk to my dad. At least they have something to talk about, I think as I walk into the kitchen. Mom is following behind me. "What kind of pie did you make?"
"Austin." My mom's voice catches my attention. It isn't a question and I'm not sure how to read her tone. I tilt my head and look between both of them. I get the sense that I'm being cornered right now.
"Remington seems nice," Bea cuts in. "He's… older than I expected."
"Okay? He's only ten years older. It's not that bad, considering I'll be thirty-one in February." My fingers graze over the buttons of my shirt and I want to pull the bowtie from around my neck.
"But he's…" My mom starts and stops, her mouth fishing as she tries to find whatever words she thinks isn't going to hurt my feelings.
"Are older men your thing?" Bea asks outright. My mouth is gaped in disbelief that she even asked that. It didn't matter, did it? Nothing I was doing was hurting anyone. "I just mean—" She looks over at our mom, like they've had this planned and were tag teaming. "He's older than your last boyfriend."
"Fiancé," I correct. "Paul was my fiancé, not just a boyfriend. Yeah, Remi's older but I don't care. I like him." I'm not about to tell them I love him. Not when I have a sinking feeling where this conversation is going.
"Whatever he was," she dismisses and it stings. Paul was my love and now Remi is as well. I won't have them dismissing that or questioning it. It's my life, anyway. "Isn't he…"
"He's older than your sister, Austin. That isn't strange to you?"
"No, it isn't. He's my boyfriend and we're happy together." I know I'm getting defensive but I don't like them talking about myself and Remi like we're wrong for being together. I cross my arms, hoping it comes across as annoyed when really I just want to curl in on myself.
"But what happens when he gets older?" Bea asks.
"What do you mean by that?" I look over my shoulder. I can hear the guys still talking but I want to make sure Remi doesn't hear this conversation. I don't even want to hear this conversation.
"We're just concerned, Austin." Mom says. I can feel tears of frustration hitting the back of my eyes. "You need to think about what your future is going to look like. You're so young, sweetie. Think about what's going to happen when he— When you outlive him."
"Think about it? Mom, I lived with it. For three years. This is the first time I feel happy since Paul died. I'm not going to focus on forty years from now when something could happen tomorrow. I'm learning to take joy in each day. Remi taught me that."
I don't stand up to my family. Not growing up, not even with Paul. For three years, I've heard them dismiss my past relationship. I knew they weren't a fan of the age gap between Paul and I. This is exactly what I was worried about bringing Remi over. We had such a good time this morning with this family. My mom's face says everything I need to know. Nothing I say will change her mind just because of some shallow reasons.
I turn my back on the two women and walk into the dining room. The second Remi sees me, conversation stops and he'sout of his chair and holding me. I hug him back for a minute before I look up at him.
"Can we go home now?"
Chapter Nineteen
IsaygoodbyetoBilly and Chandler without another word from Austin. I can see the tears ready to spill from his eyes. I help him into his coat and zip it up before opening the door and walking down the steps. The moment the car door closes and we're alone, Austin loses it.
