“Val, you’ve got two kids who have been missing you these last few weeks. Even with his parents helping, I’m sure David’s ready for you to come home.”
“David’s fine,” Valerie said. “My children are angels.”
Andrew snorted. “I love my niece and nephew, but angel is not the word I’d use to describe Alva. She’s a terror.”
“I’m telling her you said that.”
“Don’t you dare. I’m her favorite uncle.”
“You’re her only uncle.”
“Doesn’t matter. I won’t have her knowing that she scares the living daylights out of me. I have to keep up the appearance I’m the one in control.”
Valerie cocked her head to the side. “I’ll think about it.”
“I have cancer,” he said.
Valerie narrowed her eyes. “Fine. But that’s the last time you get to use that on me. I love you, little brother.”
“Love you, too.”
The sound of sniffling alerted Andrew of his mom’s approach. Valerie gave him a look that said good luck and stepped aside.
“Mom…” he began, pulling her close. Her head came to his collarbone.
“Do you”—she sniffed—“want me to stay? I can send Valerie and Rhonda back with the car and rent another one to drive home when you don’t need me anymore.”
He winced above her head. “No, Mom. I’m fine. Really. You’ve seen for yourself, it’s not that bad.”
“But the doctor said it gets worse as you go.”
“I’ve got a good support system going here. Jeni, Logan, and Dan…and Dr. Patel is the best there is. I live close to the cancer center. It’s been great having you here, but you’re not putting your whole life on hold for months while I get chemo. Dad needs you back at home. You know he can’t cook worth a damn.”
She nodded into his shirt. “That’s the truth.” She pulled back a little and looked up. “I’ve kept him in the loop while we’ve been here. He loves you, you know.”
Andrew blinked. “I know that.” His voice was a little sharper than he intended.
She noticed. “He’s just…having a hard time with this.”
“He’s having a hard time with this?” What about me?
His mom gave him that look, the one where her eyes went all soft and her lips turned down at the corners. It was the same look she’d given him as a kid, when he hurt himself playing too hard and needed tending to. “Be patient with him. He’s not good with emotions, and he’s even worse when he’s scared. I’m afraid he’s dealing with both, and his default response is to shut down.”
“He’s kept me at arm’s length for the past eight years. We really gonna pretend it’s about the cancer?”
“Andrew,” Jeni chided from nearby.
“I’m not getting into that right now,” his mother said with a sigh. “I just want you to know that he’s thinking about you, and he cares about what you’re going through.”
He has a funny way of showing it. His dad hadn’t called him once since the diagnosis.
“Okay, Mom,” he said. His mother had enough to worry about, and he hugged her once more. “Thanks for being here. Have a safe drive back.”
He and Jeni stood by and watched the women climb into the car and drive away. When the SUV was out of sight, Andrew turned to his twin. “How does it feel to have your house back?”
“I was just thinking I’d open a beer to celebrate. Want one?”
“Nah, I think I’ll head home. Let you enjoy the peace and quiet.”