Page 87 of Fight Or Flight

“Dad?

He lifts his chin, and his bloodshot eyes bore into mine.

Shut the front door…are those tears. No fucking way.

“You better learn how to fucking piss straight,” he rasps.

It’s not the answer I was looking for, but the look on his face is all the confirmation I need.

They support me, they fucking support me.

Brooklyn chuckles next to me, diverting my dad’s eyes to her, and I watch him wink at her.

“Last night you said maybe you’d make us proud,” Mom starts and squeezes my hand. “Eric, you drive us crazy and your father is getting grayer by the day, but we are already so very proud of you. You know, no one raises their child to be a hero, but when he volunteers to become one…” Her voice trails as more tears fall down her cheeks. She doesn’t have to finish that sentence because it’s written in her eyes.

I release her hand, kiss Brook’s before letting go of hers too, and then I’m on my feet, stepping around the table that separates me and my mom. She lifts her head and I pull her out of her chair. I wrap my arms around her and hug her with all my might.

I told you…I’m a mama’s boy.

Forever.

Til the day I die.

“I love you,” I say, kissing the top of her head. I lift my eyes and watch my dad cross the room. He wraps his arms around Brook.

“I’m feeling neglected,” he says.

It’s a lie.

He hugs her because she’s got tears in her eyes. He hugs her because she just lost her mom and seeing me with mine makes her miss Joss even more. He hugs her because she’s part of this crazy family now. He hugs her and as his eyes find me, he silently vows to always be there for her.

You know, like when I’m off fighting the bad guys and doing hero shit.

Pulling away, my mom lifts her hand to my cheek and forces my eyes back to hers.

“I want to meet with your recruiter,” she says. “I have questions.”

“Eric can answer all your questions,” Brooklyn supplies. “He answered all of mine last night.” She looks at me and raises her hand to her forehead, saluting me. I grin at her before turning back to my mom.

“She’s right, you know, I’ll tell you everything. I’ve been wanting to for a long time.”

“After dinner tonight, then.”

“It’s a date,” I say, giving her cheek a peck.

“And one more thing,” Mom says, glancing between me and Brook. “We’re going to have to set some ground rules for this relationship of yours. I’m too young to be a grandma, and I never want to talk about a snake in my son’s pants again.”

---