Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 89986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 89986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
It had never occurred to me that anything was wrong.
It might have been her fault that Brody had been hidden, but it wasn’t her fault for not telling me. Between being so preoccupied with my own life and not paying enough attention to hers, I had missed what I should have seen clearly. I had misheard what should have been clear as a bell.
My selfishness got in the way of us, and I wasn't going to let that happen again.
“Something smells wonderful,” I said.
“Steak and potatoes always smell wonderful,” Ana said as she pulled away.
“You eat steak?” I asked Brody.
“I eat macaroni and cheese with potatoes,” he said proudly.
“Ah, I figured.”
“I can make you some as well, if you want some,” Ana said.
“What you’ve done is more than enough,” I said.
“Can I take the potatoes out?” Brody asked.
“Of course. You know where the pot grabbers are. Slip them on and let’s get the oven open.”
I walked into their kitchen and sat down at the table. I watched Ana get behind Brody, steadying his arms as he opened the oven. He reached in with his skinny little arms and grabbed on tightly to the pan of potatoes. They were diced and covered in garlic sauce and butter. The smell permeated the entire house and made my stomach growl. I watched as she talked to Brody, speaking lowly in his ear, guiding him toward the stovetop.
“Now set it down gently. Just like that. You’ve got it, Brody. Oh! You’re so strong. Look at those muscles.”
“Can I flip the steaks in the pan now?” he asked.
“Let’s close the oven. Then you can grab the olive oil. You know where it is.”
I watched Brody and Ana move around the kitchen as she taught him how to cook. She showed him how to douse the pan in oil and let him salt and pepper the steaks. He giggled when the oil sizzled as he tossed the steaks in, and he squealed every time a hot drop popped up and hit him in the arm.
Watching, I was in awe of their bond, which tugged yet again at my guilt. I was just as responsible for what had happened between Ana and me as she was, and I had treated her like a pariah. I’d made her the scapegoat for all my insecurities and stress, and it wasn’t right of me to do that to her.
I watched her hold Brody’s hand as they flipped the steaks, cooking them to perfection and filling the kitchen with wonderful smells. My stomach growled, and it made Brody turn and look at me.
“It’s okay, Dad. I’m hungry, too.”
“You want to help us set the table?” Ana asked.
I stood, eager to help my family with dinner.
“Where is everything?” I asked.
“Those three cabinets to the side of you. Plates, cups, and napkins. Silverware’s in the sliding drawer at your hips,” she said.
I set the table while Brody helped his mother carry the food over to the table. Dinner felt easy between the three of us. Ana regaled me with how things were going at the shop, and Brody talked about how he couldn't wait to see his “second grandpa” again.
I gave him the great news that it looked like his “second grandmother” was going to be okay, and he smiled from ear to ear. He kept asking when he could see them again, and I was filled with joy when Ana said my son could see them whenever he wanted.
“Can we go see them now?” Brody asked.
“Not now,” Ana said, giggling. “Right now you’re going to put your plate in the sink and get ready for bed.”
“Awwww. Now?” he asked.
“Brody, your mother said it’s time for bed.”
Ana’s eyes fell quickly to me as Brody sighed. He picked up his plate and carried it over to the sink, then dumped it into the stainless steel cavern. Ana went to get up, but I put my hand on her shoulder and eased her back into her chair.
“Finish dinner. I can tuck him in,” I said.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“I’m positive. Please, let me do it. Enjoy your dinner. It tasted phenomenal by the way.”
“You ate two steaks. I hope it was phenomenal.”
I followed Brody up the stairs to his room, and he walked me through his nightly routine. I stood outside the bathroom while he took a shower. Then he brushed his teeth while he dried off. He wanted me to pick out his pajamas for him, so I dug around and found an awesome set of race car pants. I tossed them to him in the bathroom, and he came out running, taking a head-first dive into the sheets of his bed.
I laughed as I jumped into bed with him, then wrapped my arms around him and pulled him close to me.
“Can you tell me a story?” he asked.