Hands on my hips, I glare. “Well, I clearly came to the wrong house for help.”
“Help?”
“Yes, Mom. Help. But clearly kindness is runnin’ a little low around here.” I cross my arms with a sniff.
“Oh now, don’t go gettin’ all dramatic on me. The only reason you ain’t laughing is because it happened to you. Now come on in and tell me what kind of help you need.”
As I follow her into the house, I tell her all about the shit show that me baking cookies turned out to be. By the time we enter the kitchen, she’s dang near doubled over again.
“Cooper, son, I don’t know how you get yourself into these kinds of mess. I ain’t never heard of someone burning down a kitchen with cookies.”
“I didn’t burn it down,” I squawk. “I only singed one dish towel.” When she just raises an eyebrow, I admit, “And burned the pot holders to a crisp. But they needed replacin’ anyway!”
She just snorts in response. “So what exactly are you needin’ my help with? Clean up? Replacements? Alibi?”
“Alibi?! Jesus, woman! I was just hopin’ you’d show me how to make them properly. You know, without involving the fire department. But I’m glad to know you’ll be down to ride or die.”
“Oh, is that all? Sure, I’ll show you.”
“Do you think we’ll finish in time for me to surprise Teddy at work? I’d uh… I’d like to thank his coworkers for, you know, saving my life and everything.” I still struggle to look people in the eye when talking about my previous attempts, but trying to hide from Mom has always been pointless, so I keep my gaze locked on her. Her face softens, and she walks around the counter to give me a hug.
“Yeah, Coop, we have the time. Let’s get to work, shall we?”
Like she did when I was a kid, Mom guides me through the process of making the dough, gently making corrections when I mess up. It takes all of fifteen minutes to prepare.So how the fuck did it take me a whole hour on my own?We’re rolling the balls of dough in a cinnamon-sugar mix when Mom speaks.
“I’m real glad you stopped by, Cooper. It’s been quiet here without you. I’ve missed the light you bring whenever you enter a room.”
“I’m glad I stopped by too. I’ll admit I got nervous that you wouldn’t want me around without Teddy, but I know that’s just my anxiety talkin’.”
She takes my face in her hands, the sugar gritty against my cheeks. “Damn right it is. You’re my son just as much as Everett is, and this is your home. You never need permission to be here, nor do you need an escort.”
“I love you, Mom. So much. And I’m just so sorry it took me so long to come home.”
“Hush now. There’s no need for apologies. You came when the time was right, and that’s all that matters.” She pats my cheek before releasing me and moving over to the counter.
I learned a long time ago not to argue with Nyla Davenport, so I let the subject drop. Instead, I decide to tell her about the step she inspired me to take.
“I do have some news.”
“Oh?” she says, tilting her head my way without pausing her cleaning spree.
“Well, you inspired me to do something I should’ve done a long time ago.”
“I am pretty smart.”
I chuckle at that before sobering. “I went to the police station yesterday.” Mom’s hands still, her spine stiffening. “I’m pressing charges against him.”
Slowly, she turns to face me. “How do you feel about all this?” I can hear the caution in her tone.
“Terrified. Nauseous. Ashamed. But also angry and relieved and optimistic.”
“My brave boy. You tell me what you need from me, and it’s yours. If you need me to stay in the background and let you dothis yourself, I will. If you need me to hold your hand the entire time, I will. If you need to play it by ear, we can. Just say the words.”
“I want to face him. I want to do as much of this on my own as I can. Ineedto do as much of this on my own as I can. But I also need to know that you and Teddy will be waitin’ in the wings to pick me up when I crumble.”
“Baby, you won’t get the chance to crumble. It’s not just the three of us anymore. You have an entire family standing at your back now. We’ll hold all your pieces together if we have to, but I think you’ll be surprised by the strength you have.”
Everett
