Page 59 of Outlaw Heartstrings
Mom covers the other woman’s hand with her own. “I’d like that.”
My eyes burn, but I blink back any tears that want to appear.
Serving the community always meant a lot to my mother. She took her volunteering role seriously and running the church’s food bank meant a lot to her. But she really had a soft spot for the Raines family. I saw at least a time or two where she sent homemade meals with the boys. And she was always finding an excuse to drop off secondhand clothes when she found something in the church’s lost and found that might fit any of the Raines boys. But now, hearing the two women talk, I’m wondering if she did even more to help them out.
I smile privately, glad Jagger’s grandmothers are hitting it off.
For a long time, Mom’s entire identity was wrapped up in being a wife, a mother, a volunteer. When my father left, he took more than the money in the bank account. He took a part of her soul. I hate him for that every single day.
I’m so proud of Mom for walking away from our family home when Dad was put on house arrest. I know it was hard for her, especially being the loyal and devoted wife that she always was. But when she signed those divorce papers and moved out, she took her power back.
Even still, she wobbles emotionally from time to time. That’s why it’s so important for me to always be there for her.
Pushing up from the table, I give the women their space, and finish cleaning up. Then I start setting out tubs of ice cream, along with a bunch of bowls. I call out to the boys, telling them it’s time for dessert.
But when I open the silverware drawer, I blink in confusion.What the heck?
“Where are the spoons?” I shout out to whoever’s listening.
“Huh?” I hear Mom say in response.
I repeat myself. “The spoons. There’s none in there.”
“What in the heavens?” My mother mutters, as she and Monica get up to help. All three of us are now searching the kitchen for the spoons and not having any luck.
I call out into the living room where the guys are. “Hey, did one of you already grab the spoons or something?” Seriously, how do a bunch of spoons just get up and walk away?
“What? Why would we have the spoons?” Easton responds, and I hear his footsteps approaching.
“Do you guys mind checking around?” I know it’s a strange request but I’m starting to feel like I’m losing my mind.
Now everyone’s up looking for the missing spoons and grumbling. Meanwhile, the ice cream is probably starting to melt. This is getting out of control.
But then I hear it.
The quiet snickers coming from nearby. Suddenly suspicious, I follow the sounds. That’s when I find Jagger and Cameron in the hallway, belly laughing, bent over and unable to keep themselves upright.
“Boys…” I deadpan, a smile dancing on my lips. “What did you do?”
Jagger and Cameron are laughing too hard to answer.
“Boys,” Cameron’s dad appears behind me, a knowing look on his face. “Where are all the spoons?”
The mischievous little ones guide us around the house. Spoons are hidden everywhere. Under couch cushions. In the refrigerator. Behind furniture. In grandma’s bed.
“Good grief,” Mom says, shaking her head, even through the ghost of a smile on her lips.
Easton and Lincoln make a half-hearted attempt to do the ‘stern dad’ thing. But Rocco and Oliver high-five the kids for pulling the ultimate prank. I can't help but laugh at their antics, too. Yet still, I send them straight to the kitchen sink to wash all the spoons so we can use them for dessert.
At the end of the evening, Easton’s family gets into their huge SUV and drives off. But Easton stays behind, explaining that he drove here in his own rental car.
He walks Jagger and me up the stairs to our apartment.Our home is not much, but it’s been perfect for us. It’s been nice being so close to my mother. It’s handy because she’s close enough to help me with Jagger. But also because I’m able to keep an eye out on her.
When we get inside, Jagger immediately drags Easton to his bedroom. He’s so proud to be able to show his dad hisroom. I trail along, watching Easton’s reaction when he steps inside and sees that the walls are covered with hockey decor and posters of Easton.
“See?” Jagger says excitedly. “I told you you’re my number one favorite player!”
“Wow,” Easton breathes, looking a bit emotional. “Come here, my man.”
