“Yeah. He came to make amends.”
My friend raises an eyebrow. “Seriously?”
I laugh. “Your expression mirrors what I was thinking when he said it, but apparently he’s working the program.”
“You believe him?” Tristan asks.
I nod. “Until I have a reason not to.”
He braces a hand on my shoulder. “I’m here if you need me.”
“Appreciate it,” I tell him. “I’m going to take off for the afternoon.” I decide to visit with my dad and fill him in on my visitor. I think he’ll want to know Trick showed his face, but as a retired judge, he’ll also appreciate that Trick is trying to do right with his freedom. “I’ll be back before we open tonight.”
“Take your time.”
I head back to my car, buckle up, and pull out of the parking spot. I call my mom, who answers on the first ring.
“Hi, honey. How are you?”
I smile at the sound of her happy voice. “I’m good. You?”
“Just fine. I was just about to go out and run some errands.”
“Oh. Then is Dad around? I wanted to stop by and talk.” It’s been a while since I’d seen them face to face. We speak often and I know they’ll be at the gala but after seeing Trick, I feel the need for family.
“Your timing is perfect. He just got back from a morning round of golf. I’ll let him know you’re coming. And I’ll wait to leave so I can give you a hug before I go.”
“That sounds great,” I tell her as I turn onto the turnpike and drive to the place they bought after Dad retired. They downsized to a still large house in Coral Gables. Which is why I was so shocked when I walked into their mansion after my biological parents passed away. The enormity of the house compared to the shack I’d lived in had floored me. I never thought people withmoney would want kids from a shit neighborhood to dirty their floors. I couldn’t have been more wrong.
Jacinda had been unable to have kids and they’d fostered, children rotating in and out. Until me. For reasons I’ve yet to understand, I came, stayed, and they adopted me. I’m certain I was the biggest pain in the ass they’d dealt with, but we clicked. Matthew was the first man I learned to respect. And Jacinda’s were the first arms to hug me with love.
I pull into the driveaway, careful not to block my mother’s side of the garage so she can do her errands, and cut the engine. I’d stopped on the way to pick up her favorite coconut patty candies. I grab the bag, exit my car, and stride up the walkway, passing the pink hibiscus my mother favors.
Before I can ring the bell, she opens the door. Her short blonde hair is pulled back in a low clip and she’s wearing a floral dress and sandals, looking as attractive as ever. In my eyes, she outshone all the other moms when she picked me up from school because she didn’t trust me to come straight home.
Greeting me at the door, she pulls me into the hug I’ve been craving, and I return the gesture, before stepping back and leading me inside.
I’m happy to get out of the oppressive heat. “I brought you a present.” I hold up the bag and she claps her hands.
“You shouldn’t have! But I’m so glad you did.” She grabs the gift and waves for me to follow her past the entry and into the great room across from the kitchen. “Matthew! Lucas is here!” she yells because no doubt Dad is watching golf on television at a loud volume.
I hear Dad before I see him, the tread of his footsteps announcing his arrival. He joins us. He’s wearing a pair of cargo shorts and a light blue polo short-sleeved shirt. His hair is graying at the temples but both my parents are fit and active.
“Hi, son.”
I smile at the word. It never grows old. “Hey, Dad.” We exchange brief hugs.
“To what do I owe this visit?” he asks. “Sit,” he instructs.
“Mom, would you mind staying? I think you’ll want to hear this story.”
She and Dad exchange glances. “Of course,” she says.
Once everyone settles into a seat, Dad beside Mom, I lean forward in my club chair. “You won’t believe who came to visit me today.”
“Who?” Mom asks.
“Trick showed up at the club.”
