Page 39 of Emeric

I smiled. A mafia boss brought us together, one I wanted nothing to do with in the past. Oleander, Sylvan, and I were just starting out. People might think we were going too slow or doing things the wrong way. Fuck them. I liked our speed and how we were getting to know each other. It made this all the sweeter.

17

OLEANDER

I was nervous, and I wasn’t. They both knew about my mom. There wouldn’t be any surprises there.

Growing up, I understood my mom was different from other parents. When I was young, I remembered her being a lot of fun. Then I met Sheldon and noticed the bruises on his body. I saw my parents in a new way after that. It didn’t matter that my mom wasn’t like the other kids’ moms. Or that she came to my concerts dressed differently in flowy skirts with dangling earrings on, or her hair was different colors, while other kids’ moms were dressed like they were coming from important meetings. The bracelets she wore would sometimes hit each other, making a sound. While some might have thought it was distracting, I found comfort in knowing she was close. She talked about crystals, plants, the phases of the moon, and much more. Other kids’ parents probably spoke about nights out or lavish trips. I never felt like I missed out.

My mom was always there for me. She never missed an event or a chance to brag to others about me. I didn’t need what others had because I had it great at home.

There wasn’t a point when I wanted different parents. Even if my parents didn’t love something, like a food or a video game I’d asked for, as long as it was appropriate for my age and I behaved and got good grades, they let me enjoy it. I wasn’t restricted to only vegetables; I never had to give up cakes. Life wasn’t waiting for me to live it. I already was.

Maybe it was Sheldon who made me realize it. Maybe it was the way I felt loved and accepted, no matter what. I didn’t question my family and how they cared about me.

When I lost my daughter, and then when my wife left, my family was there. No questions. No judgment. Sure, they probably had their own feelings about my wife leaving me. They focused on my well-being and what they could do to help me. She wasn’t in my life and hadn’t been for a long time. When we divorced, all ties were severed.

As to why I was nervous tonight, it came down to my parents meeting my… boyfriends?

This was a different kind of relationship than I was used to. We didn’t meet at a club and fuck senseless all night. There was no accidental connection where our fingers brushed, and our eyes met, knowing there would never be a moment like that again. My world wasn’t full of kindness and fairy tales. I was grounded in reality, where I shed blood, hunted down assholes, and guarded people who mattered. Would I have liked those other moments? Sure. I didn’t need them though.

Our start wasn’t conventional. Yet, as I glanced in the rearview mirror at Emeric, where he sat in the back seat of the Navigator, then at Sylvan as he sat next to me, I wouldn’t change a thing. We came together this way for a reason. Why question it if it worked?

“Doing okay?” I asked Sylvan. I couldn’t help but notice the way his hands twisted in his lap.

“Yes. I want to meet them. I’ll be fine once we get there and I’m inside. The initial meeting is more anxiety-inducing than anything. I’m sure we’ll get along fine.”

“You will.”

“And me?” Emeric asked.

“Feeling left out?” I grinned. Teasing him was so much fun.

“What would you do if I said I was?”

“Make it up to you later?”

“Jesus,” Sylvan whispered.

I laughed. “We are going to have a great time together.”

Before they could respond, I pulled down the driveway and parked the SUV. My dad waited on the deck along the front of the house. He sat in one of the chairs, a smile on his face when we exited the vehicle.

He stood as we approached. He was tall, which I got from him. His red hair and blue eyes didn’t match mine. I had my mother’s. “Son, it’s good to see you.” He stepped forward to hug me.

I embraced him back. “You too.” When we separated, I stood off to the side. “This is Emeric Saylor.”

“Emeric, it’s nice to meet you.” They shook hands.

“You too. Thank you for inviting us to your home.” Emeric handed my dad a plant in a beautifully painted clay pot. I wasn’t sure where he bought it, but the look on my dad’s face meant he loved it.

“This is very kind of you. You’re welcome here any time. Same to you, Sylvan.” He offered his hand to Sylvan.

I quickly took the dish Sylvan had brought so he could shake my dad’s hand.

“Thank you,” Sylvan said with a slight shake in his voice.

“You’ve known our Ollie for years, haven’t you?”