Home.
I know he just means Evergreen, but my mind latches onto him meaning with me, to my house.
We haven’t broached my offer for him to move in with me again, but when he graduates, I plan to ask him again. Right now, he has enough going on, what with his exams and doing all his requirements for grad school. When he’s unburdened by his current duties, I’ll make sure he knows I want him with me every day.
“Yeah, little lamb. Wherever you want to go.”
I should have amended my statement.
Especially as, a few hours later, we’re sitting in the dainty living room of an older couple, both of them looking like Luca.
His grandmother places cookies on the coffee table and hands me a glass of cold lemonade before offering her husband and grandson the same. His grandfather’s face lights up when his wife speaks to him, as if her very presence makes him so happy he can barely contain it.
I hope that’s how they perceive me when I look at Luca. He’s my light, my heart, my soul.
Luca sits beside me, wringing his hands, but looks lighter and happier than I’ve seen him in a while. “Grandma, Grandpa. I’ve told you about Maddox.”
“The professor,” his grandfather says without inflection, so I’m not sure what he thinks of me or my position.
After a quick glance at Luca, I clear my throat and say, “Yes. Theater.”
“Oh!” his grandmother says, clasping her hands together. “That’s admirable, dear. Tell me how you got into that.”
“You don’t look like you’d be into theater. More like football,” his grandfather adds, his eyes bouncing from my shoulders to my biceps.
“He played football in college,” Luca says, resting a hand on mine. “That’s how he got into Evergreen.”
“Didn’t want to go pro?” his grandfather asks. I wish I could get a bead on him. His tone and expression are so placid that I’m not sure if he approves of our relationship or not.
“No, sir. I’ve always loved theater. It was my first love, actually,” I admit, wanting to give them a piece of me that only Luca knows. “I’ve wanted to teach since my freshman year. It’s where my passion lies.”
“That’s wonderful,” his grandmother says before taking a sip of her lemonade. “I’m glad to hear you’re taking care of Luca. He’s a special boy.”
“Grandma,” Luca says in embarrassment, his cheeks pinkening.
“She’s right,” I say, shooting him a small smile. “You are.” Looking back at her, I say, “I hope I can continue to take care of him. He’s my… everything.”
Luca gasps beside me, and for the first time I see a crack in his grandfather’s exterior. His eyes brighten and he smiles, justa quick tilt of his lips, but that’s enough. “Well, that’s good,” he says.
“Yes, it is,” his grandmother says, then her face clouds with that protective instinct I recognize from a mother who loves her child. “If I hear a word about you mistreating him, just know, my daddy taught me where to hide bodies so they’re never found. And not to leave any evidence.”
“Oh my God, Grandma,” Luca says, resting a hand on his forehead.
“What?” she says. “I’m just sharing one of my hobbies. Shooting.”
“And I love your grandmother’s hobbies,” his grandfather says, making me smile at them.
“Jesus,” Luca says, then mouths, “Sorry,”to me.
I love that Luca has people who are willing to go to the ends of the earth for him. Not just me and Zander, but his grandparents too. They love him and accept him for who he is. Just like I do.
“Don’t worry,” I say, threading my fingers through Luca’s. “He’ll always be safe and protected with me.” I look over at Luca, whose eyes have gone soft. “I swear it. I love him.”
“Love you too,” he whispers, his voice a little wet.
“Are you two staying for dinner?” his grandmother asks, then talks over Luca when he tries to decline. “What am I asking? Of course you are. Go on and get washed up. I’ll have dinner on the table in less than ten minutes.”
As promised, dinner is ready and we sit around the table as I get to know Stella and Raymond. They’ve been married for nearly forty years and raised Luca since he was small.
