Page 6 of Reaching Roland

She ignored me. “You need to get back out there.”

I adored this precious woman so much. With her advanced years, she was a virtual fountain of wisdom and knowledge, which she shared generously. Nadine had met Miss Georgina after my wife died when she’d been desperately searching for purpose and something of her own outside of Bart and his cruelty while Indie was at school. She’d found joy working withthe seniors here, growing close to this wonderful woman, who’d go on to be Indie’s guardian angel here on Earth and his chosen grandmother after his mother died. But she’d never known Rhonda. She’d never seen the connection we’d shared, how we’d completed each other in every way.

“If you’re implying I should date, then the answer is no. Not many are as blessed as I’ve been. I grew up with my soulmate. Married her and had a beautiful life. I’m extremely grateful for all I’ve been given, every second. I promise you, Miss Georgina. My life is just fine.”

She tutted her tongue but respected me enough to change the topic. She’d made my favorite, French apple pie, so I gorged myself on two slices while drinking a cup of coffee, and she sipped on her tea. We chatted about her various neighbors and some of the work they needed done, about Indie and Cameron, and I prepared the menu for Sunday dinner, which the four of us had together as often as possible.

I kissed her soft cheek before leaving, but I hadn’t even made it to the front door before her words about living and getting out there came back, clanging around in my head. I truly felt like my best days were behind me, but Kenny’s weren’t. The young stylist hadn’t experienced the soul-consuming love that I had yet. I wanted that for him. He deserved it. I didn’t know why I felt so strongly about this, but I knew in my gut that this mattered.Hemattered. My instincts rarely led me astray, so I knew that Kenny needed something, someone, and come hell or high-water, I’d figure out a way to help him. It was what I did—fix things.

Chapter Three

ROLAND

“Hi Rolly, I'm home.”

I chuckled and rose from my kitchen table and headed toward the front door where Indie entered, followed closely by his friend, Luca. Embracing Indie, my chosen son, I said, “What's with all the nicknames? You're calling me Rolly and Kenny with all of that Daddy nonsense.” I regretted saying that almost as soon as the words were out of my mouth. There’d been lots of teasing about Kenny calling me Daddy, and I didn’t want to perpetuate it. Especially since I wasn’t sure what all they were saying to Kenny. He didn’t need any grief because of me.

Indie reached up and patted my cheek. “Well, I can't call you Daddy because, ew, that's what I call your son. Dad is what I called my sperm donor, and Father sounds too formal. Therefore, you’re my Rolly, a special name for the parent I chose.” As happy as I was about dodging the bullet in regards to the Daddy comment, it was far superseded by Indie’s rationale for calling me Rolly. I had an Indie-sized space in my heart that no one could fill but him.

Luca hip-checked his friend out of the way, and I hugged him, too. “Don't worry, Roland, I’ll never call you either of those. Rolly makes me think of roly polies, which are gross. And I have a funny feeling Harrison would have a problem with me calling you Daddy.”

Pulling back from him, I smiled. “I’m happy that I don’t remind you of a bug that rolls into a ball. And how is that Daddy of yours? Everything going okay?” Those two had become a couple around Christmas time. From what my kids had told me, Luca had been in serious denial about his feelings for the older man. A thin line between love and hate and all that, but miracle of miracles, or maybe Christmas magic, they'd figured it out.

“He's great. Driving me bonkers, as usual, but?—”

Indie cut him off. “But you've never been happier.”

Luca’s shoulders fell. “Yeah, okay, and I've never been happier.”

“Good. I'm happy to hear that.” Clasping a hand on each of their shoulders, I steered them toward the kitchen. “Why don't you guys come on in, and I'll make you some coffee.” It had taken some getting used to referring to my children and their friends as kids or guys. I’d spent the majority of Cameron’s life calling them boys, but the connotation to this these days made that awkward. I wasn’t anyone’s Daddy, no matter what Kenny said. I bit back a snort.

Indie rubbed his hands together. “That sounds perfect. I need to talk to you about something serious.”

I stopped halfway to the counter where I kept my supply for the nectar of the Gods and spun to face him where he’d sat at the kitchen table in his normal spot. “What's wrong?”

Luca rolled his eyes. “Nothing’s wrong. Indie, don't be a jackass. This is a good thing.”

Indie scrunched up his nose like he smelled something hideous instead of replying.

“Well?” I asked him, quirking my eyebrow. I’d learned quickly when the kids were young that they didn’t have it in them to deny the eyebrow.

“Sorry,” he said sheepishly. “I know I said that a little dramatically. I think I still get in my head a little and need the reassurance that you care. Which is silly since I obviously know how much you love me since I’m your favorite.”

He added the last part on for levity, but his cheeks had pinkened, so I knew he was embarrassed. He'd been through so much since his mother passed away. Those three years I lost with him because of his father’s actions were three years too many. Now that I had him back in my life, I was determined to be the father he needed, which, in this case, meant letting it go in front of his friend. Turning back to preparing our coffee, I said, “You can battle that out with Cameron. I love both of you equally as far as I’m concerned, so I’m staying out of your bid for favorite.”

Then I let him gather his wits. Indie was more than a survivor, though, so I knew he'd get it together quickly. “Anyway,” he said, proving I was right. “Anson brought up me becoming a speaker for the Takoda Outreach Center again. Specifically for the transitional housing and the career center.” Anson worked for the Outreach and had become a good friend to Indie since they’d met when he’d helped Indie with housing in the Takoda Tiny Home Park and found him the job at The Tap Tavern. I credited him with bringing Indie back into my life, something I’d forever be grateful for.

“I told him I think he should go for it,” Luca said.

I turned and leaned back against the counter, crossing my arms over my chest, and studied my kid. Right now, he was sporting teal hair, which he paired with a white graphic T with teal lettering that saidI Disagree, But I respect your right to be Stupid. He tapped his fingers against the tabletop nervously, drawing my attention to his nails, which were painted black with some sort of teal sketching. When we first found him, his hair was the colors of the rainbow, and I suspected back then, some of that was to hide from the world. But these days, this was all Indie. He carried himself through life boldly and confidently. I knew he credited Cameron and me for that, but it was all him.

“What do you think?”

“A part of me really wants to. But then…”

Knowing how much my son, his Daddy's, opinion mattered to him, I asked, “How about this? What does Cameron think?”

“He told me he'd backed up whatever decision I made. If I speak, he'll be there. If it's too much for me, then that's fine.” He shrugged, a small grin peeking up at the corners of his mouth. “You know how he is. All he wants is for me to be happy.”

---