Page 25 of Under One Roof

Out of all of us, Taryn works the hardest. She’s always on the go, conquering the world, a single mom and manager of the bed-and-breakfast. Her ex-husband is a piece of shit, refusing to lighten an ounce of her load, and the only thing I’d love more than punching him in the throat would be for her to take a nap.

“I’m all right,” she says, as always.

“How are the kids?” Ian asks, as always. He’s our older brother, with eight years on me and nine on Taryn, but in a lot of ways, he’s more of a dad than our own ever was. Even now, when we’re all coming up on middle age, he’s the one who makes sure we meet up for coffee and checks up on our kids. For holidays and birthdays, he’s the one who gets us together as often as possible.

“Kids are good,” Taryn says after a sip of her coffee. “Jake’s been working hard, training for soccer, and the school musical is coming up for Maddie.”

“Right.” Ian taps his finger on the table a few times. “I want to make sure I get tickets.”

“Me too,” I add, and Taryn flips her cell phone around to type something in.

“I’ll send you the link. Seats are first come, first serve.”

Ian drags his hand over his graying beard a few times. “My kids will be there too, so I’ll make sure to go early and save everyone seats.”

Ian’s kids are all in their early twenties, and between his biological ones and the “strays”—as Taryn so aptly puts it—he’s picked up along the way, he’s got half a dozen or so. I can’t keep track, but I can say I love spending time with the entire family. Especially if it’s to support one of the kids. We make sure we all show up for them since we know what it’s like to grow up with a single mom who scrimped and saved and struggled to make it work. In her honor, we try to be better for our children.

Which is why I feel so bad about mine.

Their whole life, they’ve only ever had me, and I sort of hate that for them. I’m not the best dad. I’m better than my own, but I often doubt my own abilities. It’s why I need a full-time nanny, because my kids need more than I can give them. And I know I’m hard on them, but I don’t know how else to be.

Our dad was a drunk, in and out of our mother’s life, and because of that, I crave stability and order. Didn’t need the VA’s psychologist to tell me that, but he did make me realize I had to do something about it.

I need my kids to know I will always provide for them. I will always keep them safe. I would quite literally die for those I love before I let anything bad happen to them.

I try to shake off my dark thoughts as someone calls out, “Well, if it isn’t my favorite family.”

We all look up to find Clara walking toward our table while Marianne orders their drinks at the counter.

“How are we today?” The three of us mutter some type of greeting, and she laughs. “Just rays of sunshine, you all are.”

Ian lifts his coffee in silent salute.

Clara pops her hand on her hip and tips her chin to me. “I know you have that fundraiser for the fire department next month, and I had a thought. What about a calendar?”

“A calendar?”

“Yeah. A sexy one, you know? Oil all of you up, and I could take some pictures. I bet you’d raise a lot of money.”

Taryn snorts. Ian slaps his hand on my back again. “How ’bout it, Cappy? Or should I say, Mr. July?”

Clara beams. “Oh my god! That would be perfect for you. With your face and background? It’s perfect for July Fourth.”

I slice my hand through the air. “I don’t think so.”

Clara sighs in time for Marianne to appear with their coffees. “Here, babe. Why are you pouting?”

“Our esteemed fire captain shot down my calendar idea.”

“Surprise, surprise,” Marianne says, not at all surprised. She and Taryn have been friends since they were little. At this point, she and Clara are basically part of our family.

“Come on, Griffin,” Clara goes on. “You’re hot. Make some money off it. Get a couple of your buddies. The ladies will love it.”

“You’re gonna make my brother self-conscious,” Taryn deadpans. “He’s real shy.”

“Shut the fuck up,” I grumble and take a sip from my coffee.

Marianne gestures to me with her to-go cup. “How’s it working out with Andi?”

---