“Let’s change the subject, shall we?” Clancy suggests.
Jackson lets out a huge sigh of relief. “Yes. Please. Let’s talk about literally anything else in the world.”
“Glad you said that.” Clancy winks at me. “Why don’t you tell everyone about that theory you told me about the other day? You know, the one about how the type of car a person drives reflects the size of their genitals. I’m curious, does that apply to women, too? Would a big car indicate a roomy vagina?”
“Oh. My. God!” Jackson stares at the ceiling, a rash of red springing up along the column of his neck. “You guys are the worst. We have company.”
“Oh, don’t mind me,” I chime in when everyone turns my way. “I’m loving every single moment.”
“As you should,” Sibella says, basking in her mini-victory over Jackson. “There is nothing wrong with talking openly and honestly about the human body.”
“And all of its glorious capabilities,” Tim adds entirely earnestly, lifting Sibella’s hand and bringing his lips to the top of her palm.
Jackson flicks his gaze to mine with anare you seeing this?expression written all over his face. It’s too early for me to tell if Tim is simply a sweet guy or giving cuck energy, so I shrug, flash a neutral smile, and ask Jackson to hand over some more potato salad.
The conversation moves on to non-human body topics after that.
Verity tells everyone about a swift water rescue she undertook earlier in the week after a tubing enthusiast lost control of her raft in the swollen creek. She heads up the local search and rescue when she’s not running the local fire department. I have a feeling she and Ollie would get along like a…house on fire.
Tim boasts about his organization’s paternal leave policy, which he goes to great lengths to point out he played “an instrumental role” in extending from two weeks to six, while Clancy and Pip break off into a side conversation about Clancy’s apricot crop.
It’s all so normal and typical of what a family lunch could be like. And as I’m sitting here, surrounded by such warm, loving people, a heavy longing reverberates through my chest. I never had anything remotely like this growing up.
Mom was always working, even on birthdays and holidays, and Dad was always off doing something. We didn’t know what then, but now that it’s all come out, I don’t even want to think about it.
Our trips abroad were actually Mom’s business trips, with a few days of family vacation added to the tail end.
Worst of all, they simply didn’t care.
I can see how involved Jackson’s family are in each other’s lives, and while I’m sure there’s a downside to that, there’s also one almighty big upside. A person feels loved. Safe. Connected.
The meal ends, and as much as I’m enjoying myself, I don’t want to overstay my welcome.
“Thank you so much for all of this,” I say to everyone, but mainly to Clancy. “I really should get going. Can I help clear any dishes?”
“No. That’s fine. I’ve got it,” Jackson mutters.
As I get up, Verity says, “You should come tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“Yeah. We’re watching the fireworks from here. Bring your brother and nephew along if you like.”
Huh. Verity knows about them? Which means Jackson must have been talking to them about me. I peer down at him, and he’s doing that heavy-breathing, murder-face routine he’s got down pat.
“Oh, I don’t know,” I begin, not wanting to irk Jackson even more.
“We’d love for you to join us,” Sibella insists in a tone that tells me she normally doesn’t have to ask twice. “Bring your nephew. We hear he’s adorable.”
“Are you…sure?” I direct my question at Jackson, who turns to Clancy before looking up at me, his expression unreadable.
“Of course. It’d be great to have you all come over,” he replies in a polite tone I’veneverheard come out of his mouth before.
“All right. Well, thank you for the invitation. I’ll have to check with my brother, but I’m pretty sure he’ll be cool with it. Now, are you sure I can’t help clear anything up before I go?”
“Actually, you can help me with something,” Sibella says. Tim immediately jumps into action, assumes thelift heavily pregnant wifestance, and helps her up. “I ordered Clancy a box of his favorite iced tea. It’s out in my car. Help me bring it in?”
“I can do that, baby,” Tim offers.
