She pulls back and holds my arms. “I know that. But it doesn’t mean I’m any less sorry for whatever he’s done or said this time. I love you, sweetie.”
“I love you too, Ma.”
Turning to face Scar, she says, “Perhaps the five of us can get lunch when you’re back in town next week. Your father is traveling for work over the next few weeks,” she points out, telling me without blatantly telling me that he won’t be joining us.
“We’d love that, Mrs. Wilson,” Scarlett answers.
“Please, call me Kathy, I insist,” my mother tells her, and Scar simply nods in response. “How about we leave the restaurant selection up to these two,” my mom says pointing to Gemma and Gunner.
“Oh, I don’t know. If we did that, they might choose a fast food chain,” Scarlett replies.
“I’m not picky,” my mom informs her. “Let them pick wherever, and you have my son send me the time and place and I’ll be there. I can’t wait to hear all about your schools and hobbies,” my mom says to Gemma and Gunner.
Scarlett places her arms around the two of them, guiding them toward the foyer after she’s thanked my mom for having them and I hang back for a second before following the three of them out.
“Thank you for bringing them to meet me, sweetie. I hope to get to know them more soon,” my mom says in a hushed voice as I turn to face her. “Congratulations. I’m excited to have them be a part of the family.”
“Thanks, Ma. At least one of my parents is happy for me.”
She pats my arm. “He’ll come around.”
“Doubt it. But I don’t care if he does or doesn’t. Either way, they’ll become my family. If he wants to be a part of my life, he better get on board.”
I give my mom one more hug and place a kiss on the top of her head the way she used to do to me when I was little.
Once we’ve pulled up to Scarlett’s house, I turn off the ignition and walk them inside. Thankfully, Scar accepts my offer to cook dinner now that our plans have changed.
I’m just pulling the steaks off the grill when Gunner joins me outside on the back patio. Setting the steaks aside, I squat down so I’m just about eye level with him.
“Hey there, Champ. How was school today? I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to ask you about it yet.”
Gunner scuffs his shoe across the ground, avoiding eye contact with me. “It was fine.”
My brows furrow at his change in demeanor. “Just fine? I thought today was your pajama party with your class.”
“Yeah, it was fun.”
“That’s good to hear. Did you guys get to watch a movie or have popcorn?”
“Did I do something wrong?” Gunner throws me off with his question, still not meeting my eye.
“What do you mean?”
“Did I do something bad at your mommy’s house?”
“No, buddy—” I start but he asks another question, cutting me off.
“Why did we leave? I like your mom.”
“We left because of some grown up stuff with my dad,” I answer him as honestly as I can, given the circumstances. “You didn’t do anything wrong, I promise.”
“I don’t have a dad anymore. He’s in heaven with my mama,” Gunner tells me and his words cause a fissure to crack down my chest, especially when he finally looks up at me with tears in his eyes.
“Scarlett told me, I’m sorry to hear that,” I tell him.
Gunner wrings his hands together. “Scar goes with me to my mom days at school. Are you going to go with me to my dad days?”
Unsure of how I’m supposed to answer that, considering Scar and I haven’t discussed situations like these, I give it my best shot at sharing the truth with him. “As long as I’m not out of town for work, and Scar is okay with me joining you, I’d be honored to be at your dad days.”
