“We’re thinking of telling Tina’s parents about the engagement today.”
“But we wanted to know what you two thought about it,” Tina says, looking between the two boys. “This is your day, after all. We don’t want to steal your thunder.”
Jared laughs. “Steal our thunder. Please.”
“Yeah. I have no problem with that. This party feels a little weird.”
Jared nods his agreement. “Right? It’s like ‘congratulations for having alcoholic junkie parents who died or didn’t want you. Here’s Tina and Nick as consolation’.” He snorts a laugh. “I mean, you guys are great and all, but still…it’s a weird thing. And we’re nearly eighteen, anyway. You guys didn’t really need to adopt us.”
It’s a conversation we’ve already had, but both Carson and Jared like to remind us every so often that we didn’t need to adopt them. It’s taken a while, but we’ve almost convinced them it’s what we wanted. They still sometimes have a hard time believing that anyone actually wants them, after what both their parents put them through. It’s something they’re working on it in therapy.
Tina gasps, clutching imaginary pearls. “You shut your mouth,” she teases. “Of course we needed to adopt you. This is the only way we can leave our legacy for the next generation. If it weren’t for you two, I’d have no one to bequeath my creepy teapot collection to.”
Carson shakes his head and chuckles. “I can’t believe you convinced Jared to help you with those. Coming into the house to see you two hunched over the coffee table while you craft tinycorpses and headstones is so weird. The only thing weirder is the murder podcasts you listen to while you’re doing it.”
Jared scoffs. “That’s not weird. What’s weird is you helping Nick with his duck collection every weekend.”
“Hey.” I interject. “I’ll have you know he’s not just helping me with my collection. We’re out there spreading the ducky love while running other errands.”
After the boys moved in, I realized I’d need a bigger vehicle. I drove a regular sized sedan at the time, but with two growing boys, and Tina, we needed something bigger. That’s when Carson introduced me to the wonder that is Jeep ducking, and convinced me I needed a Jeep so I could get in on the action. Now, when we go out in the new Jeep, we bring a selection of brand new ducks (because besides that one I gifted to Chief Woodcock for reasons no one but the two of us will ever know, I would never give away one of my babies), hoping we’ll find other Jeeps to leave them on. And sometimes, when we’re lucky, we get ducked back. It’s become one of my favorite things, especially since it’s something that I can do with Carson. I still train with Jared every day, but my basketball skills are almost as bad as my cornhole skills, so it’s harder to find things to do with Carson. Driving around putting ducks on Jeeps is something we can do while spending time together.
Jared rolls his eyes, then grins. “Yeah, I know. I’m actually surprised you didn’t already own a Jeep. This duck, duck, Jeep thing has been around for a few years. You should have been all over that.”
He’s not wrong. I’ve lamented the missed duck opportunities many times since Carson told me about the game. Imagine if I’d had a Jeep while I was still traveling for fights? I could have ducks from so many places. I’m working on a plan to fix that, though. When the boys are off to college, I plan to take Tina on a road trip to places important for both of our hobbies.She can visit some of the oldest graveyards in the country to get inspiration for her creepy teapots, and I can collect and dispense ducks everywhere we go.
“That’s what I like to see.” Wade strolls around the corner, hands in his pockets and a rare smile on his face. “The Falcone-D’Onofrio family enjoying a little quality time away from the madness of this crazy little town.”
Tina sits up and smiles. She and Wade have a strange relationship. She still won’t tell me all the details, but from what I gather, she knew Wade a long time ago, and they reconnected when she moved to Tuft Swallow. Despite his reputation around Tuft Swallow for being a little rough around the edges, he’s always been nothing but kind to her. I’ve asked her a few times what exactly she knows about his former ties to the mob, but she keeps that information pretty close to the vest. No doubt that’s one reason Wade likes her so much. I imagine a man with ties to a criminal organization values discretion. But really, it doesn’t matter to me who he used to be, because I like the man he is today. He’s good to Tina and the boys, that’s all I care about.
“Wade, you know Jared and Carson are keeping their last names,” Tina says, still smiling at him. “Besides, Falcone-D’Onofrio is a bit of a mouthful, don’t you think?”
The older man shrugs. “No worse than Biddescombe. But never mind that. I ain’t here to talk surnames.” He reaches a hand into his jacket, pulling two envelopes from the inside pocket. “I have a gift for you,” he says, handing one envelope to Carson. “And for you.” He gives the other envelope to Jared.
The boys tear into the envelopes, their faces becoming twin masks of bewilderment when they see what’s inside.
“The address of a used car lot?” Jared asks, his brows drawn in confusion.
“Wade. But-but…what?” Carson says.
Wade shrugs and shoves his hands back into his pockets. “I’ve known kids from rough backgrounds who didn’t get out. You have that chance now, with Tina and Nick, and I wanted to do my part to make sure you both have a good future ahead of you. It’s not a lot, but…” he shrugs again. “Go there and tell him I sent you. He’ll hook you up with anything on the lot. It’ll help with getting around while you’re in school. Or with whatever the hell else you decide to do with the rest of your life. You’ll still have to work damn hard at whatever you do, but this will help you get there.”
Tina jumps up and wraps Wade in a hug. “I knew you had a soft heart behind that grumpy exterior.”
The older man fights back a grin and gives Tina one pat on the back before clearing his throat and stepping out of her embrace. “I’d appreciate if you don’t tell anyone else about this,” he says, schooling his features into his usual frown. “I’ve got a reputation to maintain.”
Tina purses her lips and gives him a tight nod. “Of course. Your secret’s safe with me.”
He shakes his head and narrows his eyes at her. “Right. Okay. That’s enough sappy shit. “
He turns to leave, but before he takes two steps, Jared and Carson launch themselves toward him and wrap him in another hug. The way Wade’s eyes widen at the contact is almost comical.
“Thanks, Wade. I won’t let you down,” Carson says.
“Me neither,” Jared adds. “Thanks for believing in me.”
I can’t stop the grin from creeping onto my face as I watch Wade try to fight back his tears while the two teenage boys hug him tightly. I wonder what he’d think about being called Poppa? Kids can’t have too many grandparent figures in their lives, especially those who care as much as Wade evidently does. I’ll have to ask Tina what she thinks about it later.
“Okay, boys. Let Mr. Biddescombe go. You’re cramping his style.” I call the boys off. “I’m sure he has other places he needs to be.”
