“Pretty much. My dad left when they were a little over a year old and my mom decided that staying home and taking care of kids wasn’t really her thing. She was around, but in body only, not in the practical sense. She spent her days sleeping and her nights partying. My dad sent checks so it’s not like I was financially responsible for them. But I did all the day-to-day stuff. The laundry, homework, doctor’s appointments, dinner, lunches, baths.”
“Wow.” Ace wasn’t sure what to say. He felt like an asshole for ever feeling sorry for himself and his upbringing.
He couldn’t imagine what it would be like to be in charge of another person, much less two.
“How old were you when your dad left?”
“Six. But my mom didn’t really check out until I was around ten. It started slow at first, her asking me to put the twins to bed or warm up dinner, run a load of clothes through. I actually liked being her big helper at first. But after a few years, she wasn’t asking she was expecting. And if laundry wasn’t done or rooms weren’t clean or dinner wasn’t on the table, I was responsible. By the time I was fourteen she would leave for weeks at a time. Then on my eighteenth birthday she left a note saying that I was an adult now and I could deal with them.”
The urge to wrap her in his arms was so great he was having a difficult time forcing himself to stay in place. He wished he had a time machine so he could travel back and give her the support that he was sure she had needed.
“Sorry.” She shook her head and let out a nervous laugh. “That was probably too much information. I ramble when—”
“No. Don’t apologize for talking to me. I want to know everything about you.” As soon as the words came out of his mouth he knew that they sounded cheesy, like he was feeding her a line, but he couldn’t help it. That was honestly how he felt.
“Everything, huh?” She grinned, not looking convinced before taking another bite.
“Yes,” he answered honestly. He left out the part about wanting to know it now. He’d never been impatient to get to know someone, but that’s exactly how he felt. “Simone mentioned that she’s going to Chicago State, so she’s close. Do you get to see Scott often?”
“Um, yeah. I saw him before I came to the party tonight. That’s why I was late.”
“I was actually starting to think you weren’t going to show up,” Ace admitted. “I spent three hours scanning the room, sure I’d been stood up. I even asked your sister if you were coming.”
The blush that he was growing very fond of spread across her cheeks as she took another bite of ice cream.
Ace had noticed that whenever he complimented her she blushed and tried to move the subject on to something else, so he figured he’d move it for her. “He didn’t want to come?”
“Who?” Her head tilted.
“Scott. He didn’t want to come to the party?”
“Oh, um, no. Well, he was sick because he got upset and so his asthma flared up. He has…he’s got…” Shaking her head slightly she set her empty bowl down on the coffee table and squared her shoulders as she tucked herself back into the corner. “Scott’s had health issues since he was born. When he was two months old he had open-heart surgery for a congenital heart condition. So basically, for the first year of his life everyone was just concentrating on his physical health. But at his one year check-up it became clear that he wasn’t hitting the same milestones that Simone was and they knew something else was going on as well. Over the years he’s been diagnosed and misdiagnosed with a variety of developmental issues. Everything from Asperger’s, bi-polar, disruptive mood dysregulation, to autism. He still doesn’t have a definitive neurological disorder diagnosis. To complicate things he also suffers from seizures and has several respiratory conditions, including asthma.”
Holy shit.
Ace was at a loss for words as he looked at Stephanie curled up in the corner of her couch, looking so tiny, so vulnerable. His voice was thin as he said, “You took care of him? Alone?”
“Well, yeah.” She shrugged, as if it was no big deal. “There was no one else to do it.”
It all made sense now. Just like a foggy mirror clears when you point a hair dryer at it, the reason for her dichotomy of strength, innocence, vulnerability, and independence became crystal clear as she spoke. She’d spent her entire life being responsible for her brother and sister, one of which was special needs. She probably hadn’t been able to party and hang out with friends, like most people her age. She’d been too busy being an adult.
“You’re fucking amazing.” His words were filled with awe.
Like she did every time he gave her a compliment, she blushed and dismissed it shaking her head as her eyes dropped to her hands, folded on her lap. Not able to keep his hands to himself, he reached out and cupped her jaw. When he did, her eyes met his. Her skin felt soft beneath his touch and his thumb grazed her cheek.
“You are.” He repeated, “You’re fucking amazing.”
Her lips were like a beacon calling him home; he slowly began lowering towards her. He’d never put any stock in fate, he’d always been a firm believer in making your own destiny. But this felt bigger than the two of them. He hadn’t planned on kissing her tonight, but in this moment it was out of his control.
Just before his mouth covered hers, she asked, “Are you leaving?”
He stopped instantly. Instead of covering her mouth, he rested his forehead against hers. Both of their breaths came in labored pants. “Yes.”
“When?”
“I’m flying out of O’Hare at eight a.m.”
Pulling back, her eyes widened. “Eight a.m. tomorrow?”