Connor raises his chin slightly, as if he’s sizing me up. “Is this really happening? I mean, you’re both not going to change your minds, are you?”
I scratch my chin, proud that he is protective of his mother, the way he should be. “I don’t think so. In fact, one day I hope to marry your mom. It’s like this, Connor, everything was already there, every little amazing part that you need to make a relationship that lasts forever, except there was one missing piece, but now we decided to take that piece and add it to our lives.”
“What’s the part that was missing?”
I laugh and gently nudge his shoulder. “Well, I think you noticed we weren’t romantic with one another. That’s no longer the case. I want to kiss your mom all the time.”
“TMI, Dad.” He looks at me with funny disgust that is all in good fun. “Does this mean we are going to live together?”
“Can you do me one favor?” He nods. “We will talk about where we will live, school, dog or no dog, and what this all means for our familyafteryour mom sits her exam in a few weeks. Right now, she needs us as her cheerleaders, and questions come later.”
“Right, I can do that.”
I smile. “Good. Now, tell me, how do you feel about all of this?”
Connor takes a moment and eats the last of his ice cream, making a point to drag this out because my boy got my streak of humor and games.
“I think…” he begins, “this is the best news.” A smile spreads on his face.
Placing my hand on his shoulder, my face is elated. “I was hoping you would say that.”
“What if I said I didn’t like it?”
“Connor, as much as we do everything for you because you are our number one, sometimes your parents get to put themselves first, and then it would have been our job to prove to you that we are the real thing, and we make one another happy.”
“This news is kind of cool.”
We look at one another with an understanding that I’m proud to have with him. It’s the type of dynamic that I missed with my own folks. Maybe that is why Brielle and I are so damn good at parenting; we learned what we needed to do better. And here I am in an honest and open conversation with my son, listening and being patient.
The thought of my parents brings a near scowl to my face. “Listen, I know you talk to Gramps and your grandparents via text sometimes. But let’s wait to tell them the news, okay? We’ll save everything for a few weeks from now.”
“Uh-huh. Now is stress-free time for Mom, so just the pool, ice cream, and kissing at dinner when you think I’m not looking,” he lists.
He grabs my attention as my head perks at his words, and I connect a few dots. He moves to throw away his napkin, but he doesn’t get far because I gently take hold of the back of his shirt.
“You saw us last night, didn’t you?” I have to grin.
He shrugs his shoulders. “Maybe.”
“That’s a yes. Were you going to bring it up or…” I wonder.
A cheeky smile spreads on his mouth. “You told me we were going for ice cream, just you and me. Everyone knows that means a talk is coming. It’s a classic parent move.”
“So, you let me sweat it out for a little?”
“For sure, Aunt Violet said I should too when I texted her.”
I laugh because this is an unexpected turn, and I find humor in it. My sister means well, and I like that she is a sounding board for him, so I’m not mad.
“Anything else?”
Connor shakes his head. “Nah, I’ll save the sibling talk for later.”
“Yeah, you and me both, kid. Come on, we need to go to the store and get home to Mom.” I stand and wait until he is off the bench.
We begin to walk back to Main Street, and I’m relieved that we can finally focus on being the family we always wanted.
16
