Page 103 of Snapping the Ice
My gaze swept to Mom, standing on the pathway, her fingers held to her mouth, tears glimmering on her cheeks.
“Ezra? Can I hug you too?” She took a step toward me.
Was she as nervous as I was? With a hard swallow and a quick nod, I fell into her arms, my eyes stinging. When her arms enveloped me, emotion simmered in my chest and spilled over. Hot tears tumbled down my cheeks, falling into her hair as I rested my head on her shoulder.
With soft sobs, she wept with me for a beat, hugging me tightly.
I glanced at Maddy and Lucas, both wiping tears from their faces.
I had to get ahold of myself. With a calming breath, I freed Mom and stepped back. “Uh, sorry.”
“No, I’m sorry.” Mom swiped her cheeks. “My mascara is going to run.” She chuckled.
“Mom, I told you to wear waterproof for today.” Maddyclicked her tongue and pointed her thumb at Mom. “She thought she’d be strong and not cry. Ha!”
Mom dipped her head, and then her gaze crawled to mine. “I didn’t know what to expect. I thought you might still be angry with me.” She worried her lip. “Even though we spoke on the phone and you agreed to meet me, I thought you might…I don’t know. Yell at me when I got here.” She clasped her hands at her waist. “I’d deserve it. What sort of person kicks their child out when they need them most?” She wiped under her eye.
“Mom, we have a lot to talk about. I’m working with a therapist on how to forgive. We can’t change the past, but we can acknowledge what happened, learn from it and start new.” I glanced at Lucas, giving silent support. “I’m not going to lie. I’m still angry and hurt, but I want to heal.” I focused on her. “Mom, I was going to ask this later, but…would you see my therapist with me?”
Tilting her head and wrinkling her forehead, she said, “Of course. Anything you need me to do, I’ll do it.” Stepping to me, she squeezed my hand. “I love you, son.” Her gaze swung to Lucas. “And you look like a fine young man.”
“Oh, this is Lucas, Mom. He’s my boyfriend.” My lips tugged at the corners. Lucas was my rock.
“Hello, ma’am. It’s so nice to finally meet you.” Lucas walked to Mom.
“Call me Anna. Hug?” She held her arms out.
“Absolutely. Nothing better than a mom hug.” Lucas hugged Mom briefly and then turned to my sister. “Maddy? Pleased to meet you as well.”
With a giggle, she flew at Lucas and gave him a swift embrace. When she backed away, she said, “You’re all muscle. Damn, Ezra. You scored.” She smirked at me.
“I sure did.” With a grin, I glanced at Stella’s apartment.
She stood in the window and waved at me with a big smile on her face.
Warmth bloomed in my chest. That woman had been instrumental in me being here today. With a wave, I said, “Come on in. I have some tea sandwiches and fruit salad.”
“Oh, my favorite. Do you have some with cucumber?” Maddy giggled. “Did you make them yourself?”
“I have cucumber and yes, I made them. I had help from Lucas.” Snatching Lucas’s hand, I led everyone inside my apartment.
After getting everyone drinks, water and iced teas, we sat around the dinette, Mom across from me, Maddy on one side and Lucas on the other. I held Lucas’s hand on the table.
Mom glanced at our entwined hands and took a bite of her sandwich. “I keep wanting to tell you how sorry I am.” Her gaze lowered to the table. “But I was hoping to explain myself.”
“Okay, go ahead.” I sipped my iced tea. This would be interesting.
Her attention drew to me. “I was raised in the church, the church you left behind.” She pushed her lips together. “I don’t fault you for it. It’s just a fact.” She lifted her chin. “Before you, I’d never known a gay person. And I was told many terrible things about them, their lifestyle, you know.”
“What sort of things, Anna?” Lucas set his sandwich on his plate and studied Mom.
“Uh…” Her gaze darted across the table. “I don’t want to say. It’s not nice.”
“Mom, just tell them. I think Ezra should know the full story.” Maddy placed her hand on Mom’s.
With a sad glance at Maddy, Mom said, “They told me you were all pedophiles.” Lines formed between her brows. “But how could you be a pedophile at eighteen? You were only a child yourself.”
“I’m not, Mom.” Pain sliced through my chest. Fuck, how was this bullshit still being spread?
