“Some days I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life to meet my other half. The moment I laid eyes on Lacey, something inside me shifted. I can’t even explain it, but it happened.”
“Welcome to love, brother. The same thing happened to me when I saw Miranda for the first time. I didn’t know that was what it was, but I finally figured it out, and look at us now. Happily married with two kids.”
“You’re definitely the picture perfect family,” I tell him.
“Far from it, but I’m glad from the outside it appears that way. Don’t let anyone fool you into believing they’re picture perfect. We fight, argue, but we also love with a deep unconditional love that is so powerful. I know you’ll find that someday, and if it’s Lacey, then I’m happy for you. Just do right by her and her kids. Don’t get involved if you don’t think stepping right into dad mode is something you can handle. Even if their dad is in the picture, if you’re in her life, you’ll be in theirs. I know I’m preaching to the choir, since you grew up with a single mom, but now that I have kids, I can’t understand how parents can push their kids aside when relationships between the parents fail.”
“He’s not in the picture at all. Do you remember a few years ago that guy from Sweet Valley who was arrested by the feds?”
“Yeah,” he says, looking up at me. “Why?”
“That’s her ex-husband.”
“Oh shit. He’s locked up for a long time, right?”
“Yeah, over twenty years,” I tell him.
“Damn. Is she handling it okay?”
“She’s definitely come out of the whole ordeal strong, but I think there’s still some lingering effects. She was completely in the dark about his misgivings, so was blindsided when the feds showed up at her doorstep. I think taking things slow is also a repercussion of what she went through with him, and I don’t blame her one bit for that.”
“Fuck, man. Just be careful. You need to protect you as much as she needs to protect herself and her kids.”
“Thanks. I’m going into this with my eyes and heart wide open. When we were together last night, it just felt so right. I didn’t want the night to end, nor did I want her to leave my arms.”
“That’s all you can do, brother,” he states. “Can you grab the door for me?” he asks as he picks up the platter of burgers and hot dogs we’re grilling up for lunch.
I open the back door and follow him outside, taking a seat on one of the deck chairs. I’m super proud of my sister and her husband. They’ve made a good life for themselves; one I hope to mirror sometime soon.
* * *
Lacey:Hey, what are you up to?
Garrett:Not much, just got home from the grocery store, what are you up to?
Lacey:Watching the kids splash in the kiddie pool I picked up today while running errands. Also working on the never-ending laundry pile.
Garrett:I bet they’re having fun with that!
Lacey:So much fun! They were so excited when I pulled the box out after all the groceries were put away.
Garrett:I bet.
Lacey:I had an idea.
Garrett:What’s that?
Lacey:I want to see you more than the short time you’ll be at the bakery tomorrow, but I’m not ready to have you over at my house. I think that’s a bit much for my kids.
Garrett:Ok, so what did you have in mind?
Lacey:Harper suggested maybe doing a bbq at the park. I can invite a few people, some friends with kids and that way it is a relaxed setting, and they won’t wonder what’s going on. I know that puts you meeting my kids and probably my parents really early in whatever this is that we’re doing, but it was an idea and I understand if you don’t want to come.
Garrett:I’d love to come. I told you sweetheart, you set the pace. So, if you’re at least comfortable with me meeting your kids tomorrow night, then I’ll be there. They don’t have to know we’ve been on a date or that I’ll be wishing I could steal more kisses from their mom all night long. All they need to know is I’m a friend and can be their friend too. Do you want me to bring my glove and ball to see if Ben wants to throw one around?
Lacey:You never cease to amaze me, Garrett.
Garrett:I’m sure I’ll mess up at some point, just go easy on me when I do.