Page 107 of Fortunate Misfortune
“I’d love that,” he says. Once a tentative plan is made, he kisses my cheek and heads to the truck to give us some time alone.
This is the first time I’ve seen Mama in person since Christmas, which wasn’t a great time for us. Since then, we’ve done a lot to rebuild our relationship. Although there have been a lot of hard days, each day we get better and work on our relationship. I’m happy to have my mom back, and I know my dad would be proud if he could see us now.
Once the car door closes behind him, she whips to face me with thatI’m gonna say something stupidface on.
“Marry that boy,” she whispers.
I slap her arm. “Did you get a lobotomy you didn’t tell me about?”
“I’m just saying I think he’s a good one,” she says quietly, taking my hands. “Forget about your brain for a moment, Mal. When you think about Kenneth, what does your heart say?”
I’ve never been one to think with my heart. My brain has always been the one to run the show, making logical, realistic, and cautious decisions. That’s why I smile when my heart responds to her question by thumping loudly, but not in a frightened state. Instead, it’s calm and steady, radiating nothing but comfort and certainty. My brain and my heart are on the same page for once.
“It says he’s a good egg.”
“A very good egg,” she agrees.
She pulls me deep into her chest for a hug and wraps her arms around me. For a moment, I’m able to forget about securing an internship, the Brain Bowl, and my budding relationship with Kenneth.
It’s just me and my mom.
“I’m so proud of you, Mal. It’s an honor getting to watch you grow into the woman you are. The strong, beautiful woman I always knew you’d be.”
She sniffles, and tears prick behind my eyes. Mama never cries. While cuddled between my parents as a kid, they’d tell me that I got her energy and my dad’s emotional side. I’ve always been the perfect mix of them.
“Daddy would be so proud of you, baby girl.”
And there it is. Tears slide down my cheeks as I bury my face in her shirt. I haven’t cried like this since the day of his funeral. The day everything changed. But this time Mama is here. We aren’t on opposite sides of the house, alone and drowning in a sea of grief. Nope. She is right here, holding me tight as we keep each other afloat.
Five years later, and we still miss him so much.
After a tearful goodbye, even though I’ll see her tomorrow, I shuffle back to the truck and wipe my face to rid all evidence of sadness. Kenneth seeing me cry again is the last thing I need.
I may break and tell him I’m falling in love with him.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
“What are we?” Iblurt.
During dinner with Mama, finalizing our internship applications, and settling onto the living room couch to watchLilo and Stitch, I asked myself this question a million times.
“What do you want us to be?” he teases, looking away from the television with a silly smile, but it vanishes when he realizes I’m serious.
And I’m so serious. Kenneth is patient, kind, and thoughtful. Slow to frustration and anger. Because he’s human, he messes up, but his apologies are genuine. The man I’m lying on top of is everything I’ve ever wanted in a best friend and copilot. I want to give this everything I have.
As the final stone from the wall around my heart falls, my voice drops to a whisper.
“More, Gray. I want to be yours.”
As if struck by lightning, Kenneth bolts up, taking my body with him as he sits up. My legs straddle his hips, leaving my skirt hiked up around my thighs. He’s seemingly unaware of the interesting position we’re now in.
He doesn’t answer me, his face frozen and mouth slightly open.
“If that’s even what you want,” I stutter, desperate to backtrack. “That was so random. I’m sorry. I was thinking about tonight and… Shit. I don’t even know if you want to be mine—”
“I’ve been yours since the day I met you, Ed.”
I choke on a gasp. “What?”
