Eventually, after I’ve casted successfully a few times, we head back to the shore and George holds my hand as he tries to help me through the water. Once we’re on dry land, he laughs as I step out of the hip-waders and my heart beats a little faster. His laugh is deep and rich, achingly beautiful. “So, what did you think?”
“It was nice,” I admit, sheepishly. I can’t look into his eyes; I’m afraid he’ll see all my thoughts. I think I’m starting to like George. Am I crazy? But out there, in the water, with his body pressed to mine, I reacted to his touch. I wanted him against me. What the hell is wrong with me? After a beat, I manage, “Thank you.” I look around for Ike, but he’s nowhere to be seen. I frown, wondering where he went.
“You did good,” he lies with a smirk.
“If by good, you mean sucked ass, then yes, I did good,” I grumble and am blessed with another knee weakening George McDermott laugh.
“I’m glad you liked it,” George says, as he takes my hand and leads us toward the house. “Now it’s time to eat.”
The evening is amazing. I’d been nervous about this dinner, but I’ve loved every minute of it. The McDermott family is warm and inviting and after being cold and alone for so long, it brings a kind of contentment I haven’t felt in a long time; a feeling of home.
After I tell them where I’m from and some very vague details about my family, avoiding discussing Axel at all costs, we have dessert. Beverly made tiramisu, just as she promised. Afterwards, Beverly assigns the men to dish duty and she leads me into the family room. The walls are filled with family photos of Ike and George in football and baseball uniforms. The boys at a young age, fly-fishing with their father. There are even pictures of Cameron as a baby. I’m staring at a photo of him with a pair of sunglasses on at the piano; my guess is he’s impersonating Ray Charles.
“We didn’t get Cameron until he was twelve. We managed to get the baby photos of him from a relative of his.” She smiles as she looks at the very photo I’m holding. “That boy has so much personality. I thank God every day for bringing him into my life.”
“He seems like an amazing guy,” I agree.
“His mother worked for Henry and passed away in a car accident. Cameron had always been around the office after school, and Henry insisted we take him in if Cameron agreed. Luckily he did, because in the last year laughter has run short, and Cameron seems to always find a way to keep it here.” She pauses for a moment before stepping toward the wall.
“And this,” she pulls a frame from the wall, “is my Ike. I’m sure you’ve heard, but we lost him in Afghanistan.” Her features soften and her eyes glaze over with emotion.
“I have heard, and I’m so sorry for your loss.” She hands me the frame and I smile at Ike dressed in a tux for what I would guess was his senior prom. The girl beside him is wearing a long, red dress and smiling brightly. They look like they were the cool kids, prom king and queen. This must be the high school girlfriend he spoke of.
“I want to be angry he’s gone . . . blame God or everything, but I can’t. That beautiful boy came into my life, and it was my honor to love him every day he was here.”
Something causes me to look back, and I see Ike has returned. He’s watching us, his expression soft as he listens to his mother speak about him.
“If you could say anything to him right now, and know for sure he could hear you,, what would you say?”
Her brows furrow as she stares at his photo. “I’d tell him he made me proud. Every day of his life I was so proud to be his mama. I’d tell him that I love him more than words could ever convey, and he’ll always be in my thoughts, every day for the rest of my life.”
Tears threaten to spill from my eyes with her words. “I bet he’d tell you what an amazing mother you are,” I speak for Ike. Anyone can see this woman is mother of a lifetime material.
She smiles and hangs his photo back on the wall. “I’m glad you came tonight, Charlotte. I hope you and George become good . . . friends.”
I chuckle. “Our friendship thus far has been very futile.”
“George is a bit of a mess right now, but I think he just needs to find a nice—”
“You ready?” George interrupts from the doorway leading in to the family room. His jaw is set and his mouth is in a hard, flat line. It’s not hard to tell he’s unhappy about something.
“We can stay longer if you’d like.” I actually want to stay. I’ve really enjoyed this evening.
“No. I need to go. Meeting up with someone in a bit,” he says, irritably. I glare at him. Probably meeting up with Misty. I fight the urge to say something shitty to him as his mother is standing right beside me.
“Why don’t you go say good-bye to my father and Cameron. I need to speak with my mother for a moment,” he states curtly.
The tension is thick in the air as I turn to Beverly and hug her. “Thank you so much for an amazing dinner. I truly enjoyed it.”
“Anytime, dear. You’ll come back soon, won’t you?”
“I’d like that.”