Jack
“Doyou think she’s going to be okay? After all of this?” Benny asks quietly. It's been over an hour of driving now, and he hasn’t said much. I knew he would be anxious and worried today. I am too. It's been almost three months since Kathryn checked into this rehab program. We all know that the hardest part for her is what’s next. Remaining sober when she’s dealing with her everyday life. Our mother never even got this far, so already, she’s ahead of where the worst could exist.
“Your mom is one of the strongest people I know. And she’s not a coward, she’s not about to back down from this fight. I know she’s going to work really hard.” When I look over at my nephew, I don’t see the adult he’s becoming, but a nervous kid who wants nothing more than his mother to be the grown-up for a while. I didn’t realize how long he’d been covering for her, and not just socially for her being out drinking or upstairs in their apartment sleeping it off. He’s been the one making sure the bills were paid when they arrived in Strutt’s and the refrigerator stocked with food. I’m pissed at her for that. For making him rush into adulthood.
“I know. Do you think she’s going to understand about me taking time off after graduation?”
“I don’t know what she’s going to say, but you’ve got me in your corner. And I’ll be around to check in on her while you’re living your life for a bit, kiddo.”
“Thanks, Uncle Jack. For staying. For everything, really.”
I reach over and squeeze his shoulder. Getting to spend time with him was a privilege, not a burden. This kid stole a part of my heart when he was born, but the man he’s becoming has made me so proud, and I appreciate him even more. I thank the universe for letting me know him, learn from him.
Five hours later, with my sister in the passenger seat, we’re on our way back home.Home. There’s never been a place that’s ever felt more like what that word is supposed to mean than when I’ve been in Strutt’s Peak. I never thought a physical place would give me all the things I didn’t realize I had been searching for.Family. Real relationships. Love.
With tears in her eyes, she gets a complete recap from Benny about everything he’s been doing. Most of it, she already knew from phone calls. But talking in person just sits differently, and I know she wants to absorb his energy with all of the excitement behind some of what she’s missed. “It sounds like you’ve done even more than I thought since I’ve been gone, kiddo. I’m proud of you. How did your chem lab project turn out?”
I look at Benny in the rearview mirror as he squirms. I know he didn’t do the best on that one, but his GPA is high enough that even if he pulls out of that class just passing, he’ll still maintain a B+ average.
Kathryn looks over at me. “I guess not so great, then?” She turns around to look at him in the back seat.
“I’ll still be able to pass the class, but there’s no way I’m going to bring home anything higher than a C at this point.”
Kathryn lifts her left shoulder and surprises him by saying, “Can’t be great at everything, my love. Now tell me about prom. Have you decided if you’re going to go yet?”
The rest of the car ride is light on conversation. I can tell more than anything she just wants to catch up on the little things she may have missed. I know there’s more she and I need to say to each other, but right now, this is about her and her son.
After a few minutes of silence, there’s a song that comes on from the playlist that Benny made a while ago. John Mayer croons about the things that parents pass on to their children. Will it wash out in the water, or is it always in the blood? I can tell they’re both listening to the lyrics, and out of the corner of my eye, I see my sister shield her eyes.
She looks over toward me, and without words, we squeeze each other's hands. Her watery eyes meet mine, and we smile at each other. She unbuckles her seatbelt and climbs into the back with Benny, and I turn the music up a bit. I can hear her apologizing to him and vowing not just to make promises but to show him she’s worthy of being called his mother.
I wipe away the tears as they spill over to my cheeks before they can reach my chin. The tension that had been pulling throughout the day has finally loosened, and I’m relieved to see two of the most important people in my life begin to heal.