Page 174 of The Holy Grail
Beverly sniffed a little, her eyes taking on a watery sheen, and when she spoke, it was with regret. “I’m sorry, honey. I wish I’d known what you were going through.”
“To be honest, I don’t think I knew what I was going through.”
He then continued the story, telling her about Evan’s connection to Jules, which was discovered at the Farmer’s Market, and how everything exploded after that. Malcom told her about the unresolved feelings for Evan, how the triad evolved, and the plan for them all to live in Malcom’s house.
“So, the three of you are … together?” she asked.
“Yes.”
Silence settled between them for a moment, and then she said, “All right.”
“All right?” He looked at her closely, concerned he’d unloaded too much on her and she was now in shock. “You seem to be taking this rather well. Almost too well, actually.”
“Well, I’m not going to lie and say this isn’t a lot to process, because it is, and I’ll need some time, but …” she trailed off. “Everyone’s happiness looks different, and this is how yours looks.”
“I never imagined it looking like this, but being with both of them makes me whole. That’s the best way to explain it.”
“You obviously love both of them.”
“I do.”
“Without reservation?”
“Yes.”
“And they both love you, without reservation?”
“Yes.”
She took a deep breath, her eyes glistening again. “Then that makes me happy.”
“Thanks, Mom.” He released a sigh of relief. “I really needed to hear that.”
“Have Jules’ and Evan’s parents been told about this?”
“Yes.” He then explained about the upcoming trip to meet Richard and Edie, and getting together with Evan’s mom after that. Then they would all have dinner with Beverly.
She pursed her mouth. “What about your father?”
“I’ll tell him in a little while, when I’m ready.”
“Are you nervous about telling him?”
“Honestly? Yes.”
She nodded. “Hopefully he’ll take it well.”
Malcom kept his expression neutral. “Hopefully,” he said, although he didn’t think the chances of that were very high.
Chapter 58
A weekend with ... Bruce Willis?
To the surprise of Evan and Malcom, Richard Shaw looked like a shorter version of Bruce Willis, complete with shaved head.
He’d insisted on picking them all up at the airport when they arrived late Friday afternoon, and after Jules gave her dad an affectionate hug (which she sort of had to lean down to do), she made introductions.
“Dad, I’d like you to meet Malcom Hodge and Evan Malone,” she said, pointing to each man respectively. “Mal, Evan, this is my dad, Richard.”
