Page 55 of A Baby for the Firefighter
“What did you want to talk about?”
“Mom’s gone to the hospital again and she asked if I wanted to go with her to, you know, talk to Dad while he’s actually awake.”
“Oh.” Eli was quiet for a moment as he digested this information. “What did you say?”
“I didn’t say anything and then she just went without me.”
“I see.”
“I don’t really feel like that was the right choice,” I admitted. “Iambusy with work and all, but we can’t avoid it forever, can we?” I saidwepurposefully because I wanted to know what he intended to do about this situation as well.
“We’ve managed to avoid it for a pretty long time, though,” he said. “And I’m not sure why we should be the ones to take the first step.”
“Are we?” I asked. “Because I know Mom’s been calling you.”
“Yeah,Mom’sbeen calling me. Don’t think I ever talked to Dad. I doubt he’s ready to forgive and forget. Not that I feel a burning need to be forgiven. Wait, I need to go somewhere the kids won’t hear me.”
“Okay.” I heard some rustling on the other end of the line as well as a door opening and closing. “You don’t think Dad’s ever going to change his mind?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” Eli said. “Maybe yes, maybe no. I try not to think about it.”
“I’m sorry. I just want—”
“I know you want everyone to get along.” He sighed. “I’ll talk to him if he talks to me first. Is that a deal you can live with?”
“Yes, thank you.” That was enough. It had to be. Maybe next time my Mom went to the hospital I’d go with her and see if there was anything to be done.
“I owe you a lot, Griff. If there’s anything I can do to make you feel better…”
“Well, actually…”
“What?”
“There is something else,” I said, remembering the other reason I’d called. “Don’t worry, though. It’s got nothing to do with our parents.”
“Well, that’s good.” He breathed an audible sigh of relief, as if I was being especially taxing this morning.
“I might need your help this Friday, if you can make it.”
“What’s happening this Friday?” A note of curiosity seeped into Eli’s voice.
“Dean and I have reason to celebrate, so I decided to make him dinner.”
“I don’t know what to be more suspicious of,” Eli said after a moment. “Whatever your reason to celebrate is or that you want to cook.”
I found myself wishing that I’d gone over to have this conversation in person so I could give him a not-so-light pat on the back of his head now. “Dean’s decided to take a job with the local fire department. That’s what we’re celebrating, not whatever you might think. And I can totally prepare a meal.”Totally!
“Yeah, right.” He laughed a little, the bastard. “Still, that’s great. But what do you need me for? To do the actual cooking?”
“I can cook!” I insisted again. “I just need you to um… help me pick out an outfit. Something that’ll help me… uh…progressour relationship.”
“Ohhh. My little brother wants to get laid!”
“Eli!”
“Well, it’s true, isn’t it?” His voice turned a little more serious again. “Do you think you’re ready?”
“Yeah.” I wanted to be, at least. “I trust him.”
