Page 50 of Cinnamon Strudel
“You don’t think it’s odd? I mean, we only met a few weeks ago and I don’t want to come across as a freak.”
“If you’re serious about someone, why hold back? Wouldn’t it be a waste of everyone’s time if you included the family later on, only to realise you didn’t get along with them. I’m sure if you wouldn’t, you’d seriously consider me as your partner.”
“I would.”
“So, it’s better to get all these things out of the way at the beginning. A good match isn’t just between the two partners, but their whole social circles.”
“What about your parents? You said they lived in Dallas, right?”
“And we are on a need-to-know basis.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shrugged and took a sip of his cocktail. “Part of my brothers being so bold about my blindness and not coddling me is them. Once my parents figured out I had impaired vision, they treated me differently. The older Manuel and Alexander got, the more they realised how much my parents were holding me back.”
“And it caused a riff?”
“Yes, over time. At some point, when we were becoming successful, they made comments about my attribution not being as valid as theirs. I was used to it, but both Manuel andAlexander exploded. Now we barely talk, and I’ve found that I have more peace without their belittling voices in the back of my mind.”
“But you still talk, because you said on a need-to-know basis?”
Morgan nodded, eyes still sparkling but not nearly as much as before. “They are still my parents and if they aren’t doing well, I would want to know. They get cards for special occasions, and we talk on the phone from time to time.”
“Do your brothers know?”
“Yesanddisapprove, but they’ve never made me feel bad about it.”
“How would your parents handle Alexander’s sexuality?”
“Dad would go off the rails.”
“I’m sorry.”
“How wouldyourparents react to something like that?”
“With way too many inappropriate questions and suggestions for adoption agencies and surrogates.”
“Because they want grandchildren?”
“More than anything. I mean, they already have one but if you leave it up to them, they’ll have a whole football team.”
“And you?” he asked, turning his hand palm up to ask her to take it. “Do you want children?”
“I do—like the whole nine yards, with my dream being a stay-at-home mom.” She thought being honest and admitting that right away would be best. It had worked so far.
“I’d better keep you around then. I would spoil you and the littles rotten.”
“So, kids aren’t a turn off?”
“Not a chance. More like let’s get started.” He ran his thumb over hers. “I mean, not right away. First, I would like to enjoy us, but yes I would like mini me’s in the future.”
“Can I ask you something regarding that?”
“Anything.”
“Is your sight defect genetic?”
“You mean if I can pass it on?”
