Page 95 of Unravel Me

“Uncle Rhett!” Jessie and Jenna call out as they run clumsily in their pink rain boots towards me.

“What are you supposed to be, a unicorn or a princess?” I ask, pulling the wings attached to Jessie’s back.

“I’m a fairy unicorn queen, obviously!” She flips her hair, and my sister strolls up behind them, carrying a casserole dish, rolling her eyes at me.

“Don’t even ask. She hasn't taken those wings off for five days now, and I can’t do a thing about it.”

“Noted,” I nod, going back to focusing on the grill in front of me. It’s finally cooled down outside with the start of October just days away. There’s a slight breeze in the air that wasn’t there a week ago, a promise of changing leaves, a slowdown from summer. I’m usually a fall person. I love the cool weather, when I am not drenched in blankets of humidity in my workshop or melting in my old truck. But an uneasiness has overcome me these last few days that I just can’t shake. It’s driving me fucking nuts.

“Thanks for hosting dinner here tonight, honey. My oven is still on the fritz.” My mom saddles up next to me.

“It gives me a chance to grill. I didn't get to do that much this summer.” I bite my lip, not wanting to open an invitation into that subject. “I’ll stop by after my appointment Tuesday to fix it. It’s probably the sensor.”

“Whatever you say, baby. It gives me a break from cooking,” my mom replies, winking at me. The girls run by, the dogs chasing them through the grass.

“What’s different back here?” my mom asks, pushing her sunglasses up into her hair, which is piled messily on top of her head. The same way Audrey used to wear it. The thought flickers through my mind, uninvited, and I shove it away before it can take hold.

“I finished lining the garden with pavers, hauled some junk away, and started power washing the house. Me and Ky are going to paint it this Friday after work,” I rattle off.

My mom’s eyes grow wide, and she smirks, popping a blueberry from the salad into her mouth.

“Don’t say it, Ma,” I add, half joking as I turn to check the sizzling steaks.

“I’m not…I'm glad you’re getting stuff done.”

I turn off the flame, placing the steaks on a wooden board and bring them to the table, avoiding eye contact with the one woman who can read me like a damn book. “I had other priorities. I was going to get to it all eventually,” I reply roughly.

“Why the sudden change?” Her voice is cool and light, but when our eyes lock, I know my irritation is glaringly obvious.

“You know,” I mumble, and she offers me a small shrug and sad smile.

“Dinner’s ready!” I call to the girls who come running towards us, pink blurry visions of messy blond hair and fairy wings. Mabel’s on their heels, hopeful she’ll get a trim of meat.

“How’s work going Rhett, you busy again with new clients?” my sister asks. Both she and my mom are watching me closely as I slice into my steak.

I feel like an ant under a magnifying glass and my shoulders grow tense.

“It’s going. I’m busy,” I add slowly, knowing what she’s not saying.

You barely worked this past month. What the hell is going on? Are you back to normal or do we need to worry about you?

Desi smiles real big and says, “Good, I’m glad. Good to stay busy!” She was talking to me like I was one of her daughters and I groaned, barely audible enough for them to hear over the music playing. I also installed outdoor speakers for the workshop and movie nights outside.

Solo movie nights.

“Hey girls,” I said, and the twins looked up at me from their dinner plates. “I have a whole new setup for the outdoor theater. Maybe one of the weekends your mom will let you come over and do a movie night.” Their eyes light up, and they turn to their mom, toothless grins spreading on their small faces.

“Mom, can we, please?” they beg in unison.

My sister nods, “Of course.” But then she turns her attention to me. “A real outdoor theater? That’s pretty fancy for you, Rhett. Sounds like the perfect date night set up.”

Scoffing, I point my fork at her. “Great Desi, you can borrow it anytime you want for a date.”

“Mom, you have a date?” Jenna asks horrified and I laugh, but Desi doesn’t think it’s funny. Her eyes narrowed at me.

“I have no dates set for the foreseeable future. But you might, you never know.” She pinches her lips together. She couldn’t accept her big brother likes his solitude.

Or was trying to get used to it again.