Page 33 of A Case of You
Eileen had spent her first couple of years after high school struggling, until she’d gone to work for a farm equipment dealer, in their parts department. Having been raised on a farm and being familiar with the equipment had helped her get the job.
Their parents had been proud of her, although they’d warned her several times not to get too “pushy” with male customers, in hopes she might meet her future husband there.
“I’m proud of you, Sis,” Stuart said. “I’m really proud of you. I know you can do it.”
Now she did break down into tears. “Thanks. You’re the first one outside of John’s family who knows. I wasn’t going to tell Mom and Dad or anyone until after I got my degree.” She sniffled again. “I wanted to be able to throw it in their faces later. If I tell them now, they’ll just tell me it’s a waste of time and money.”
“I know, Sis. I’m sorry.”
“You’re still coming?”
“I am. I promise. Brandon and I will be there. Say hi to them. Jeff and Brandon are sitting here with me.”
She let out a shnurffly laugh. “Hi.”
“Hello,” Brandon and Jeff said.
“This is Jeff,” he said. “Sorry I won’t make it, but congratulations.”
“No, it’s okay. I understand. I don’t want you to be in pain. It’s already cold here. We might even get a snowstorm that weekend if the long forecast holds.”
“This is Brandon. I’m looking forward to meeting you and your fiancé.”
“So how much of a jerk was Mom on the phone to Stu when he talked to her?”
Brandon nuzzled his head against Stuart’s. “Not enough to scare me off, that’s for sure.”
“Good. I’m really happy he’s happy. I hope one day I get to meet Jeff and Emma.”
“If you and John want to send us both friend requests on Facebook, feel free,” Brandon told her.
“Thank you.” She let out a sigh. “I should get back out there. Happy Thanksgiving to you guys, and I love you, Stu.”
“Backatcha, and I love you, too, Sis.”
Stuart ended the call and stared at the phone for a moment. Jeff and Brandon didn’t interrupt, didn’t speak while he tried to compose his thoughts.
“I wanted you to hear that directly from her so you understood what Ifinallyrealized when I was talking to Mom. My parents will never change. They don’t want to change.”
He retraced his mental steps for them, including other memories.
“So take that mindset, and multiply it by a factor of five for Jake,” Stuart finished. “That’s what we’ll be dealing with.”
Jeff turned Stuart’s face so he could kiss him. “I’m sorry I can’t go with you,” he said. “I’d love a chance to call them all out.”
“See, that’s the thing, if you do, it won’t change them. The harder you try to change their minds, the harder they’ll fight against it anyway. It has to be…organic. Like me and Eileen.”
“What about your other brother?” Brandon asked.
“I don’t know. Robert was never like Jake, but we’re not super-close. He’s stayed friends with me on Facebook. Maybe because me and Eileen were bullied by Jake, we saw the world differently. I don’t know. I don’t know if Robert does, too, or not. I don’t want to kick that bear before the wedding, though.”
“Agreed,” Brandon said.
Chapter Nine
With Stuart’s call out of the way, Brandon took the phone from him and set it on the bedside table. “Okay, time to shut a good boy’s brain off for the rest of the night.”
“Yes, please, Master.”
