Joey shoots me a look.So…you two are just, what?Hanging out today?
Yeah,I say carefully.We thought maybe the three of us could do something.If you’re up for it.
His answer is immediate.Obviously, I’m up for it.
***
We end up back at my townhouse, a grocery bag in Sidney’s hand.
You know you don’t have to buy us food every time you come over,I say as he unloads it onto my counter.
Technically, I haven’t bought you anything yet,he says.Right now, it’s just ingredients waiting to be combined into a masterpiece.
Joey leans against the island, watching.You cook?
Some,Sidney says.I taught myself some key dishes so that all my meals wouldn’t be protein shakes.
Joey’s eyes narrow.Like…actual food, or just eggs and pasta?
Sidney pulls out chicken, limes, tortillas, and a bunch of herbs.You can be the judge.
Joey looks impressed despite himself.What can I do?he asks.
Wash your hands,Sidney says immediately.Then you can help me make the marinade.
Joey obeys without complaint, which is maybe the clearest sign yet that he’s massively in awe of Sidney.He’s gone in a flash.Minutes later, he walks back in with damp hands and a clean sweatshirt.One that looks a lot like the sweater Sidney is wearing.
I watch them work together, a smile on my face the whole time.I don’t have to lift a finger, but I stay with my boys so that I can be in on the fun too.It’s so refreshing to watch Sidney explaining what each ingredient does and how it adds to the dish.
Joey makes a face at the raw chicken when asked to pick it up and move it to the cutting board for seasoning.He goes a little pale but pulls it off.I guess he’s been spoiled with frozen chicken nuggets.I don’t usually have a ton of time to cook between my weird work hours and Joey’s hockey.
They then get into a very heated discussion on spice levels and enter into a hilarious bout of negotiations.They try to drag me into the debate, but I decline and tell them I’m impartial.
The more time we spend in that tiny kitchen, the more I see a bright and dazzling future.Sidney is so natural with Joey, so comfortable in our little space.There’s no forced bonding or going over-the-top to impress him.Sidney doesn’t have to use lame jokes or bribes to get Joey to spend time with him.Joey likes him.
Sure, it might have started out as celebrity idolization, but he’s grown out of that the more time they spend together.Now, he looks up to Sidney as a mentor.
I’mnotgoing to say father figure.Definitely not going down that line of thinking.
There’s genuine interest and patience between the two of them.Sidney lets Joey help without taking over and lets him make small mistakes without sighing or snapping.He treats Joey like a capable, slightly chaotic person instead of a nuisance.
When the food is in the oven, Joey wanders off to set the table and then pulls out his controller.
Sid, you want to play?he calls.I’ll go easy on you.
Bold,Sidney says, wiping his hands and joining him in the living room.
I linger in the kitchen, listening to them tease each other over virtual goals and missed saves.
I’d built a world for us—Joey and me—out of necessity.Tight, controlled, and contained so that no one could hurt us or use us, like my family did to me.I’d convinced myself that was the safest way to live.Sure, it had been a little lonely at times.There had been moments of weakness where I prayed for someone to come help just so I could get a moment’s peace.
Yet, all in all, life had been wonderful.Full of ups and downs, but Joey and I were a team.
But watching the two of them together—Joey’s laughter louder than I’ve heard in months, Sidney’s low chuckle answering it—I begin to accept that our team is growing.We’ve added someone new who would watch our backs and save us…if we wanted saving.
As if sensing my contentment, Sidney looks over the back of the couch and smiles at me.We share a moment of silent understanding, knowing that what we’re building here is something worth working for.
Dinner ends up being incredible.
