“Well, these internships are out,” he muttered, tossing another small stack into the trash. He held up another sheet of paper and shook his head. “Too risky.”
His phone buzzed against the table, and his face turned an off-shade of pale when he read the unnamed number. He pressed the side button to silence it, his focus shifting from the paperwork to the voicemail alert that soon followed.
Cody picked up the phone and swiped away the home screen, looking like he was struggling with something. He eventually navigated the menu to the voicemail.
“Hey Cody, this is Aunt Sandy. Your father died a few days ago. I won’t speak ill of the dead, but this was a wake-up call for your mom. Anyway, I know you’ve cut ties with this place, and I’m not saying you should come to his funeral, but if you want to come visit me, I’d love to hear all the wonderful things happening in your life. I love you. You’re my favorite nephew, you know.”
He pressed the callback button and held the phone to his ear. The dial tone clicked.
“So, what finally did the fucker in?”
“Hepatitis C.”
“Rest in piss, you piece of shit.” Cody’s tone was ice cold as he picked up another paper. “I don’t mind speaking ill of the dead. Speaking of horrible people, how’s Mom? Still on the pills?”
“She may not be the best person in the world, but she’s still my family. She’s made a lot of unforgivable mistakes with everyone, especially you.”
“She was an awful mother. They weren’t just mistakes. She kept me in that shithole, hungry and dirty just so she and Dad could get another fix.”
“Will you come visit me?”
Cody went quiet, dropping a paper before rubbing his forehead. “As long as I’m not pressured to give the eulogy, because what I’d say wouldn’t exactly be church-worthy.”
“You don’t even have to go to the funeral.”
“No, I want to make sure the man is really dead. And I want it to be an open casket.” Cody paused. “If Mom’s had this huge awakening, why didn’t she call me?”
“You changed your number and told me not to give it to anyone, remember?”
“See, this is why you’re my favorite aunt.”
“I’m your only aunt,” the woman added. “I’ll buy the plane tickets for next week and get the guest room ready. We have a lot to catch up on, and I want to hear everything. Do you have a boyfriend yet?”
Cody cringed.
“I’m more interested in a career.”
“You’re still in your shell, aren’t you?”
“Aunt Sandy—”
“Dating is hard for everyone, not just gay men. Ask any woman over forty. You’ve always been kind of a golden child, despite what your parents did. You’re smart, handsome, driven, but you’re too damn judgmental and closed off.”
“I’m not—”
“Cody, the way you talked about others borderlined being a cynical asshole, and you’re gonna hate me for saying this, but that’s how your father used to talk.”
Damn, that hurt even me, but I was likin’ this Aunt Sandy. Wonder if Cody’ll ever go visit her and let me tag along.
“Ouch,” Cody muttered, briefly pulling the phone away from his ear.
“You hold yourself and others to impossible standards, and that’s only going to make you more miserable the older you get. I know a lot of this falls on bad parenting, but you’re an adult now. It’s up to you to decide how to live your life, and if you’re not happy, you have the power to change it.”
“It’s hard,” Cody said, leaning back in his chair. “I keep trying to put myself out there, but I’ve already been hurt. And I don’t want to be a fucking stereotype.”
“Everyone gets hurt, sweetie, and you don’t have to be a stereotype. There’s no right or wrong way to be who you are, but don’t let that state of mind stop you from letting yourself have fun, even if you end up being astereotype.You should probably start with changing that attitude as well.”
“You’re being spicy today.”
