Page 31 of Highway To Destiny

Kyle opened the door, walked back into the kitchen, and slammed it shut. I stood there and sobbed into the late afternoon briskness. I needed to cool down and compose myself. I’d never yelled at my brother before. It was foreign to me, and I began to shake.

After a couple of minutes, Mom came out and saw me crying. She had wrapped a shawl around herself, and as she took me in her arms, she wrapped her shawl around us both.

“Shhh, it’s okay,” she said softly. All it did was make me cry harder. She gave me a minute before continuing. “Your brother left with Bunker. He said he wasn’t feeling well and wanted to head home.”

Her comfort helped stifle my tears. “I’m…I’m sorry I ruined our Christmas,” I choked out, looking down at my feet. She raised her hand, lifted my chin, and gave me a sweet smile.

“You didn’t ruin our Christmas, sweetheart. Your brother was outwardly rude. I’d say his behavior was the cause of what happened between you two. You both probably said some hurtful things to each other.” She brushed my tears with her thumbs. “You know your brother loves you, and I think once he saw Mason, his reaction was impulsive. The rest of us will still have a nice dinner together.” She pulled back and lifted my chin. “I want to know more about your special friend, Mason.”

We stood there for another minute, and even with the shawl wrapped around my shoulders, I shivered. It was probably more from emotion than from the chill.

“Let’s head inside,” she said as she wiped my cheeks again.

When I stepped into the kitchen, I took a deep breath to calm down. Mom hung the shawl up and went back to the task of getting dinner put together. I headed into the living room once I’d felt my composure had returned. Mason and Spencer were in a fit of laughter when I walked around the corner, and that helped my spirits some.

Even with what happened with my brother, maybe the rest of Christmas Day could be salvaged.

23

MASON

Spencer had been regaling me with humorous stories about his family, and I did my best to ignore the muffled yelling out on the back deck. Sometime later, I heard Kyle tell his mother something, and then he walked through the living room and stated he wasn’t feeling well. We didn’t have the chance to say anything before he rushed out the door with Bunker in tow.

Connor walked in from the kitchen, and I could tell he was upset as his eyes were red from crying.

“Hi,” Connor said quietly. “Sorry you had to hear or witness the drama.”

Spencer stood and walked over to Connor and gently rubbed his back. “You okay?”

“I’m alright. Just a disagreement with Kyle.” Connor replied shamedly. I knew it wasn’t the time to pry about what went down. I had my suspicions, so I just gave him a sympathetic smile. Sharon walked in, announcing that dinner was ready, and placed a couple of steaming dishes on the table.

The mood at the table was quiet and somber. Sharon had the forethought to take away Kyle's place setting before we sat down. I guided Connor to the table and pulled his chair out for him. I did the same for his mother when she brought the rest of the food to the table.

There was enough food for a battalion, and everything looked perfect. I’d need to really hit a gym after all the food I’d consumed on this trip.

I had cracked open the Sauvignon Blanc earlier and gave each of us a healthy pour. Before I sat down, I raised my glass and gave a toast. “May our troubles be less, and our blessings be more. Merry Christmas.”

Connor and I stared at each other from across the table as all four glasses clinked together. I glanced at Sharon and Spencer, but my eyes went back to Connor. I hoped that made him feel better.

The meal was fantastic, and the underlying somber mood of Kyle’s departure lifted as we ate and conversed. We had turkey with all its trimmings, numerous side dishes, and pumpkin pie to finish. I think we all had seconds at some point. It bothered me a little that Kyle wasn’t here to enjoy it.

Sharon asked me about my business and life as a trucker, my family, and where my hometown was, and even inquired about what sports I liked to watch.Connor piped up when our talk touched on my favorite football team.

“When I first saw Mason and asked for a lift, he was wearing his San Francisco cap,” Connor said. “That explains his obsession since he’s from California.” He gave me a wink, and I lifted my wine glass in a quick salute. Connor seemed to remember everything, and it pleasantly scared me.

When Sharon asked about my family, I was torn as to how much I wanted to reveal at the dinner table. But the truth always comes out, and secrets become a burden. I started by revealing that my parents had been tragically killed in an automobile accident when I was nineteen. I also told them that when I was thirteen, my ten-year-old sister drowned in a freak public swimming pool accident. A teenager had cannonballed into the crowded pool on top of her. She lost consciousness and drowned before she was discovered. Sharon placed a hand on my forearm.

My mind raced, and I weighed if I should talk about Claudia’s death. Since Connor already knew about her, I felt I didn’t want to hide it and then have him question me later about not mentioning her.

His mother was quite welcoming, which I appreciated, but my mental fight centered around what happened between him and his brother. Their rift made me uneasy. Even I fought with our age difference, let alone why I was suddenly attracted to a man after being straight my entire life.

“I lost my wife ten years ago,” I said as I looked down at my half-eaten plate of food. I took a big sip of wine.

The table went still, and all we heard was the crackling of the fireplace, soft Christmas music playing from the stereo, and the laying down of forks. Sharon looked at me, then over to Connor. I could tell she was trying to put the puzzle of Connor and me together.

“She had ovarian cancer that eventually spread to the bone. She fought it for two years.” Sharon’s hand never left my arm. I glanced at Connor, who had a look of empathy and fondness.

“Mason, I’m so sorry for the losses you’ve had throughout your life,” she expressed with a sorrowful tone. “We never truly get over our grief. I’m sure Connor told you about Kevin, my late husband, and that he was killed in the line of duty when Connor was just a baby.”

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