The room suddenly fills with a jaw-grinding air horn. Everyone jumps except Dad. Emerson screams and then cries. Axl cries.
I glare at Loren as I turn for my baby, and Uncle Noaz picks Emerson up from the highchair to hug him against their chest.
“Loren,” Dad says, frowning.
“You’ve known for thirty years that Uncle Noaz is non-binary, Weston. Get your shit together or leave,” Loren says, voice low and chilly.
Dad raises his head, and I don’t miss the small smile on his lips.
Our grandparents look at each other, both startled and disgusted by Loren’s behavior.
“Furthermore,” Imry says, getting to his feet, “if you have a problem with who I love, you can get bent.” He looks at Dad. “Excuse us.”
He hauls Haze to his feet and drags him from the room. The two/thirds don’t bother to say anything as they follow. I remain where I’m seated out of curiosity alone, but I hand Axl to Brek and encourage him to follow. He does without comment.
“Your children lack manners, Jalon,” Gran says.
“Actually, you lack human decency,” Myro says, crossing his arms.
“Myro,” Dad says.
“No, Myro is right,” Uncle Noaz says. “You’ve protected us our entire lives, Jalon. You’ve picked up the pieces of a broken home when you shouldn’t have had to when our parents took off, shirking their responsibilities as parents, and now they’re here, criticizing you and talking down to the rest of us while thinking they have the right to feel righteous.” They get to their feet, Emerson still in their arms. “On behalf of my brothers”—they look at Jalon—“all my brothers: fuck off. You’re not welcome in this home if that’s the negativity you’re bringing with you.”
Gran’s mouth hangs open as she watches Uncle Noaz and their family leave the room.
Silence settles around the dining room. Only half the bodies are left at the table, and not out of respect. Dad won’t leave until he’s the last to do so. He will always be the last, making sure his kids aren’t left in a bad situation.
But this time, we’re not kids. And he’s not staying to take the brunt of whatever the fuck is going on here alone.
“Why are you here?” Myro asks.
“This is our home. We built it?—”
“Dad built it,” Myro interrupts. “In fact, you didn’t build a damn thing on the Estate, nor did you with VDT. Try again.”
“Myro,” Dad repeats. “Please be respectful.”
“I will be when I’m shown that same respect. Otherwise, if they don’t want to be treated the way they’re treating my brothers, then perhaps they need to be taught some respect.”
Loren places a butcher knife across his plate. Levis stares at it. There’s no mistaking it for the obvious threat it is.
“Why are you here?” Myro demands.
Granddad and Gran look at each other. I’m sure they didn’t expect the hostility they’re receiving. “We want to be with our family,” Gran says. “Our new great-grandson and grandson.”
“You won’t have any access to my child,” I say. “I have no intention of allowing him around the toxicity that you’re filling this place with.”
“Voss is correct,” Dad says. “If this is the atmosphere you’re going to be bringing to the Estate, you’re not welcome here.”
“This is our home!” Gran demands.
“No, Mom. This isourhome. I hold 100% power over this estate and all of Van Doren. You need to read the fine print of the contracts you signed because I specifically outlined the circumstances in which youwon’tbe allowed to reside here. You’re currently in violation of three, namely, disrespecting Noaz, talking down to my sons by commenting on their sexuality—which is not your fucking business—and creating an unwelcoming environment for my family. You have twenty-four hours to fashion an appropriate apology and get yourselves together, orI willremove you and you will no longer be allowed on Van Doren Estate.”
Silence once again fills the dining room. My grandparents look absolutely shocked. This didn’t go how they thought it would.
“Boys. Jessica. Please excuse yourselves. I need to have a conversation with my parents,” Dad says.
Reluctantly, I get to my feet. Myro looks like he’s on the verge of arguing. Loren is the only one who gets up willingly. He takes his knife and hands it to Dad before leading Oakley from the room.
