Did I simply start mirroring him? I’m not sure, but I never get it when it comes to emotions. Some say I don’t have them, but I do not agree. I’m just more reserved in showing mine. I don’t see the need to outwardly express every single one of them.
“But you’re a man. Men need a good wife to survive.” This is a fact. Men who are married live longer.
“I won’t argue with the fact that I would not survive without your mother.”
“Speaking of Mom, she will not be in favor of this.”
“Then I suggest we don’t tell her until you make a decision.” My mom keeps out of the family dealings. She doesn’t shy away from hearing things, but she also doesn’t seek them out. I have no clue how she manages to do this.
Knowledge is power, and I need to know everything. That way I can dissect it and plan accordingly. I don’t like the element of surprise unless it’s me or my family enacting it.
“You know our agreement on that.” If my mom asks me a question or I feel the need to tell her something, I will, and I have always made that very clear. She is the one person I cannot deny. My bond with her is different. It’s why I know that I can feel.
I just don’t offer reactions, or maybe it takes me longer to grow a bond. I’m not fully sure. I have always stuck to my family, although recently I made a friend, but she is married to my cousin. That might count as family, I suppose, but even before they were married, I would have been upset if she died. That’s how I measure most relationships.
“I agree, but there are additional options to consider here. I think we could add to the prenup he suggested.” Yes, that was interesting too.
My mind has been racing trying to figure out why he would offer such a thing. What is his angle? I know how men can be with their needs. It’s a weakness you can often exploit.
“In death, everything becomes mine as well.”
“Yes.” He would be so lucky for me to kill him. I might do just that so I stop with all the weird winking thoughts.
“You should think this over.”
“I will, but I believe I will agree in the end. We’ll need to fine-tune the details, that is all.”
My dad’s face softens. “All right, I’ll reach out and invite him back. A dinner?”
“That works for me.” I stand. “Is there anything further we need to discuss?”
“Not for now.” I’m thankful for that today. Normally, I enjoy keeping busy, but my mind is elsewhere. It’s annoying.
“I’ll see you later.” I turn to leave his office.
“Love you,” he calls after me.
“Love you too.” They tease me that I never say it first. I forget. I do love them. I don’t understand why I have to keep saying it. I’ll let them know if it changes. In an email.
Mom catches me the second I step out of Dad’s office. “Hey, honey.” She kisses my cheek. “Are you okay?” I don’t know how she does that. I swear she has some sort of super power.
“I’m okay.” I think.
“All right. Don’t forget we have family dinner.” I nod. We do it weekly. She gives me another kiss before entering my father’s office. I pull out my phone and call Bonte.
“Yellow,” she says, answering.
“What are you doing?”
“I got twins!”
“We do not dabble in human trafficking.” It’s actually one of the reasons we want to control the docks. We make sure it’s not happening, and those government officials are happy. Their streets are clean. It’s twofold.
“I did take them from their mama.” I hear multiple meows in the background, and I know those aren’t from Binx.
“You got kittens. How does Binx feel about this?” I rather enjoy cats, and at the moment, Binx is my favorite. If I had to pick. They are prickly. I can relate.
“I did, and before you get mad that I didn’t tell you, I was about to call you and invite you over for the baptism.”
