He buckled up and said, “Is everyone going to be there?”
“Yes. It’s Friday family dinner.”
He chuckled and shook his head. He started the truck and said, “Okay, Ma. I’m going home now. I’ll see you tonight.”
“You’d better bring us Ryleigh.”
With a laugh he said, “It’s like you don’t even care whether the rest of us shows up.”
“That’s not true. I love each and every one of you. That’s why I’ve spent most of my life parenting and helping you all grow up in the wonderful beings you are. The least all six of you can do is show your face once a week during family dinner. That’s not such a big deal, now is it?”
“Okay. You’re right. I’ll see you tonight.”
They hung up, and Keenan drove back to his house. Feeling dirty from a long day working construction, he walked straight up to his bathroom. He pulled his long-sleeved shirt with the Mills Construction logo from his back and kicked his favorite work pants into the corner.
After a quick, cold shower, he walked into the kitchen and noticed that Ryleigh had curled her hair for the occasion.
He gave her a kiss to her temple and said, “You’re stunning.”
Her face went from beaming to frowning when Tommy said, “Yuck. She looks like a red doll.”
“Tommy Aiden Mills, apologize to Ry.”
“It’s okay, Keen. Let’s just go to your parent’s house.”
He knew Ryleigh wanted to avoid confrontations. But being a parent meant they needed to face this head on. He couldn’t have Tommy disrespect Ryleigh like that.
When she was his nanny, she would have never accepted this behavior from Tommy. It seemed like with the lines blurred, not only Tommy was still seeking his footing.
“No, darlin’. Tommy can’t speak to you like that. And he knows it.” He held his son’s stare as he spoke.
“Whatever,” Tommy said and stood from the dinner table. “Are we going to grandma or not?”
“I want an apology first, and then we can go.”
“Fine. I’m sorry,” Tommy said with his head bowed. “Can I still take my tablet with me?”
“Not tonight. I really want you to think about how your words affect others.”
“Yes, Dad.” With his shoulders hunched, Tommy walked out of the kitchen and into the living room.
“We need to be strict, Ry. I can’t have him lash out like that.”
She hugged his waist and said against his chest, “I know. I’m sorry. I think I’m better at being a nanny than—”
He took her face into his hands and kissed her lips. He didn’t like to hear her talk herself down.
“You’re the best. He’s just testing you. He’ll come around. We’ve been on our own for three years, and with you starting out as his nanny and now being my girlfriend, I think he has a hard time to place things. A lot has changed for him. But with guidance and time, he’ll get there. I’m sure.”
“If you say so.”
He rocked her in his arms and joked, “I’m always right. Okay, let’s go.”
“Please give me a straight answer. I hate feeling out of place when I meet new people. What do your sisters wear during these dinners? Or your mom?”
His eyes tracked her fingernails as Ryleigh’s teeth attacked them one by one. He remembered she’d said something about needing a smoke when she first met them, to help her cope with her nerves.
“Are you thinking about smoking?”