COLLINS
“Mom, Dad!”The smell of dinner being cooked makes my stomach grumble, realizing that I forgot to eat once again today. Partly because I had to work through my lunch in order to leave early, the other because I simply just forgot.
“In the kitchen!” I walk through the family home that Blaine and I grew up in. I was going to call to see if they were home but thought better of it. These two are creatures of habit once dinner time hits and the club is settled for the night. Though after Pax’s text, I wasn’t sure Dad would be here.
“Hey! Oh my gosh, is that spaghetti I smell?” I bypass Dad. He grumbles about me being an ungrateful child while I go straight to mom, hugging her side while taking the lid off the sauce.
“Knock it off and give me a proper hello,” she admonishes, but one of my arms is already sliding around to hug her, my head going to her shoulder, letting out a breath.
“Hi, Mom. HI, Dad.” I wave to him, just to be an annoyance.
“Go give your father a hug, or he’ll growl all night how I’m the favorite and he’s not.” I kiss her cheek and then do like she says, and not because she said so. I do it because as much of a hardass my dad is, I still love him.
“Hey, Daddio.” I wrap my arms around his neck from behind.
“Hiya, baby girl. You must not have food at your place,” he makes an assumption.
“Ha, if you only knew. I’ll have you know I actually went food shopping just yesterday. I stopped by because I just left the doctor’s office.” Mom stops cooking at the stove and turns around, worry on her face. Dad’s body clenches. “No, no, no, nothing like that. This is a good appointment, swear.” I know what they’re thinking. Henley, our family member in Texas, is finally in the clear when it comes to cancer, thankfully.
“Then why were you at the doctor? Swear to God, Collins Michelle, if you tell me and your mom you’re pregnant, I’m goin’ to lose it.” What in the actual fuck is up with him? As far as I know, no one knows that I’m seeing anyone. What Pax and I have, it’s ours, not the club’s, and definitely not my parents’.
“That’s enough. No one is losing anything. If our daughter is pregnant, we’re going to celebrate and support her. Quit being a pain in my ass.” Mom has the pasta utensil in her hand, waving it at Dad. I snicker, moving away from him to take my seat in my usual place.
“I’m not pregnant, though it’s good to know Mom has my back. Dad, the nursing home is looking like the perfect place for you later in life.” That eases the tension in the room.
“Well, please put us out of our misery.” Dad places his hands over his chest. Mom brings him over a beer, and at my slight nod, she brings out two more, one for her and one for myself.
“Fine, you big ole baby. Do you remember in high school how hard it was for me to pass a test? Well, it got worse in college. I figured it was just life. Now that I’m back in college, it’s gotten unbearable. My mind won’t shut off in the middle of taking a test. My notes are fine, and I study using every trick of the trade there is. So, I switched to online classes thinking that would help. It didn’t. I was desperate for help, so I read up online that it could be ADD or ADHD. Turns out it’s ADHD, so I went to the doctor today.” Dad guzzles his beer back as if he needs the sustenance to get through this.
“Shit, Collins, how did I never see this?” Mom is already blaming herself.
“That’d be because I hid it. I was meant to be this perfect daughter who gets the good grades, goes to college, starts a career. I’m really sorry, by the way, that I’ve squandered that money away on a job I hate.” It’s my turn to take a sip of my drink.
“I should have seen it. Never told anyone, not even your mom, but I grew up with a slew of learnin’ issues, dyslexia bein’ one of them. It took years for me to work through it. I’m not sure if it’s hereditary or not, and that’s my fault.” Dad’s eyes look like they’re shimmering with anguish.
“Okay, it’s no one’s fault. The good thing is, I’m going to start my medicine tomorrow. The bad news is, the side effects can make me a zombie at times in the morning. I’ll just hammer coffee to make me more human. What I need you to do is keep after me. If you see me losing weight, make me eat and tell me to get back in with the doctor. And, Daddy, this isn’t your fault. It’s not Mom’s either. I’m an adult; I have been for well over ten years. I should have done something the first time I was going through this in college or come to you in high school when I realized all-nighters and cram sessions weren’t helping.”
“Well, if I don’t feel like I’ve just been put in my place. Not in a bad way, but shit, I’ve really overlooked my kids on a few things, clearly. Hell, you’re struggling, and we had no idea. Blaine is off doing who knows what with who knows whom.” I go to say something, but Dad interrupts.
“Jolie, sweetness, settle down. Our kids are fine. Does it suck that our kids are grown, and we can’t do anythin’ like we would have when they were teenagers? Yes, but they’re adults. We have no control over Blaine, and Collins is doin’ great. So what if she’s changin’ careers. People do that in their forties.” Dad really must get it.
“Okay, how about you two finish your beers, and I’ll finish getting dinner sorted?” Truth be told, I love to cook but hardly get to do it unless Paxton gets a rare night off. Otherwise, it’s usually a frozen dinner for me and whatever he picks up for himself.
“That’d be good. I’ll grab a few more beers for all of us, too,” Dad offers. I shake my head.
“None for me. I’m not spending the night, and I may be an adult, but I’m also aware of your rules.” Though, if I spent the night, there is a chance I could sneak into Pax’s room in the clubhouse and be there when he gets home. Though I highly doubt I can dodge all the cameras, so home it is for me.
“Glad to know you still listen to one of them.” Dad stands up, kisses my forehead, and then we all take care of our tasks. Mom sits down with a small smile on her face. This is when she’s happiest, when we’re all home. The only one missing is Blaine, but he’s like Daisy, Lavender’s sister. I wouldn’t be surprised if the two of them are making treks all along Europe; they are free spirits like that.
“I try.” A guilty feeling hits the pit of my stomach, and I know that soon, things will have to come out in the open; just not today.