Total pages in book: 82
Estimated words: 79319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 79319 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 397(@200wpm)___ 317(@250wpm)___ 264(@300wpm)
“So she didn’t know Eddie would be…different.”
“Nope. She opted out of every test and probably ignored the doctors.” Mason took a deep breath and continued. “I will never forget seeing her at the hospital, a stricken look on her face and that piece of garbage boyfriend of hers crying that this was her fault. I didn’t know what was going on. Eddie looked like any ol’ wrinkly newborn to me. I heard words like special needs, health concerns, but I just saw a kid who needed to be cared for.”
“So you stepped up.”
“I had to. Eddie’s bio dad was a motherfucker, and Mom was a mess…and there was this tiny little baby in the middle of all this ugliness. I wanted nothing more than to hightail it to Aunt Carla’s, but I couldn’t leave Eddie with them. I was a teenager, but I was almost as big as I am now, and I was done being intimidated. I kicked the asshole out and asked my aunt to help us again. This time, for Eddie’s sake.”
I ran my hand along his spine and rested my chin on his shoulder. “Wow. You’re a hero.”
He huffed incredulously. “Am I? I don’t think so. It wasn’t like I put my life on hold for Eddie. I wouldn’t have a career if I hadn’t worked my ass off, but yeah, I did what I could.”
“How?”
“I don’t know…I learned how to make a bottle and feed him. I played with him, and later on, I helped deal with the specialists and therapists. My mom reconnected with other family members around that time through her sister, so this village came out of the blue and made life a lot easier. I was able to be a typical teenager too, but Eddie was always a priority for me. We bonded right from the start.” Mason smiled. “He’s so fucking happy and it’s contagious, you know?”
“Yeah, I get that.”
“You read stories of kids like him who’ll never progress mentally beyond eight years old, but he’s proved them wrong. Eddie’s only a few years behind his age group, he’s curious, he retains information well, he loves dogs, the ocean, his friends, and riding on the bus. And he knows sign language. That’s kind of fucking cool.”
“It is,” I agreed. “So he’s the reason for the children’s charity.”
Mason shifted to face me. “Yes. Resources are crucial, and if I can do anything to help a kid feel safe and cared for, I’m in. So yeah, I’m involved in a few charities…some for kids living with disabilities, some for kids who’ve been in abusive homes, or have parents who struggle with addiction. There’s all kinds of ugly shit out there, and I lived it.”
“It sounds like you and your mom are good now.”
“We are. She’s climbed a mountain, and I’m proud of her. She’s a different mom to Eddie than she was to me. I got the neglectful, selfish B, he gets Mother fuckin’ Theresa.”
I snorted. “Nice comparison.”
“It’s true. She loves that kid. She puts him first…above anything she wants for herself. I didn’t get that treatment, and I could be bitter about it, but that’s life. And by the way, I’m not trying to negate your childhood trauma or one-up you.” He rubbed his stubbled jaw ruefully. “I actually don’t really know why I told you any of it. I should probably apologize.”
“Oh, please. I don’t want any apologies. Thanks for sharing your—”
“My oversized baggage?” he quipped with a laugh.
“Well, I wouldn’t have put it that way.”
“I would.” Mason snickered merrily. “That’s the shit that comes off the conveyer belt with a big-ass red warning label attached. Although it honestly doesn’t feel so heavy anymore. Eddie’s good, my mom’s good.”
“What about your aunt?”
“She passed away five years ago. Cancer.”
“I’m sorry,” I said.
“Me too. She was a great woman and an amazing role model. She was this lesbian trailblazer who didn’t take shit from anyone. I want to be like her someday.”
“I think you’re well on your way.”
Mason beamed. “You’re right. I even went bi.”
I rolled my eyes. “You realize that you don’t just go bi, right?”
“Yeah, so I’m bi. But you’re the only one I notice, Jakey.” He pulled me into a headlock and kissed my ears, ignoring my protests. “I tested the theory at camp today. Lots of decent-looking coaches, and none of them got a pulse out of me. Nada, zilch.”
“Oh, brother.”
“Seriously. Nikitinova isn’t tough on the eyes, and he has a cool accent. Doesn’t do anything for me, though. Who does it for you?”
I scoffed. “What kind of question is that?”
“A great one. C’mon. Let’s take a test…Batman or Superman?”
“Batman.”
“You’d choose Batman over Henry Cavill?” Mason widened his eyes incredulously. “ ’Cause I think I just got a Superman chubby.”
I laughed. He was ridiculous and manic with it, but he was hopelessly charming too. We finished our beers and sat side by side at the picnic table, talking about absolutely nothing of consequence. I liked the sound of his voice and the feel of his body pressed against mine in the warm summer night. I liked that he gazed reverently at the stars while debating which version of Spider-Man he thought was most badass. I liked that Mason Trinsky was unapologetically himself.