“Just as long as I’m welcomed back,” Crispin gasped.
“Do you even have to ask?” Kell teased, releasinghim.
“Of course, you are welcome!” Keegan said, coming in from thehall, slapping him on the shoulder. “If I was welcomed back, surelythere’s hope for you.”
Taking him bythe hand, Becky led Crispin to a chair. “Sit, you must be tired.”She smiled when he let her lead. “I can’t wait to hear about yourtrip.”
“Worried about me, are you?” The moment he sat, he dragged heronto his knee and planted a loud smack of a kiss on her cheek. “I’mnever too tired for this,” he said with an indulgent smile. “I haveso much to tell you all.”
Suddenlyovercome with joy at being reunited, Becky wrapped her arms aroundhis neck and started to cry. “I’m just so glad we’re all togetheragain,” she said into his neck while patting his wavy hair with herfree hand. “I’ve missed my beautiful big brother!”
“Oh, my sweet little dormouse,” Crispin, choked on a sob at heruse of the word brother. Indeed, she was as close to a sister as hecould imagine. To hear her say it, well, it confirmed what herecently realized. These people, these friends were his family, hisfamily of choice.
“We’ve all missed our handsome brother,” Kell added, sittingacross from them, Keegan at his side.
“God, I’ve missed you all so much.” Crispin hid his nose intoBecky’s mop of curls. “I’m so grateful to have you all in mylife.”
“You okay, Crisp?” Kell quirked an eyebrow at Crispin’suncharacteristic show of emotion.
“He’s a little choked up,” Keegan explained. “I felt the sameway when I returned not so long ago.” At his comparing of the twoscenarios, everyone, Crispin included cracked uplaughing.
“What?” Keegan frowned. “It’s true!”
“Right then,” Dorian chuckled, slapping his friend on theshoulder while wiping away a tear. “Shall we order pizza, brothers,and sister?”
“Extra cheese,” Crispin sputtered, chuckling over Becky’sshoulder. “For our hungry little dormouse, here.”
Chapter 41
Long aftereveryone had their fill of pizza, beer and after hearing ofCrispin’s overseas adventure, only Kell and Crispin remained seatedat the kitchen table.
“So, wow, that’s quite the trip you had,” Kell said, shakinghis head. “Now, here you are, suddenly rich, and in love. Who couldhave imagined it?”
“Indeed,” Crispin said with a sigh.
“Sorry about your mother dying so young,” Kell said with afrown. “But at least you found your roots. Now you know where youcame from.”
“Yeah, it wasn’t easy to hear, especially the part about how myso-called grandfather treated his daughter. I do have my unclePiers, although, I’m still trying to figure him out.”
“Family… it sure does get complicated sometimes,” Kell saidwith a sigh.
“Just so you know, Kell, I still think of you, Dorian, Beckyand, yes, even Keegan as my family first.”
“Thanks, man, you know I feel the same.”
“That’s why I want to run a few ideas by you,” Crispinsaid.
“Ideas?”
“Yeah…” Crispin leaned in across the table. “I suddenly findmyself with all this wealth.”
“Must be awful,” Kell teased sarcastically.
“It can be,” Crispin answered truthfully. “I mean it could be.Imagine if I didn’t have all of you in my life? Who could I trustwith all my riches?”
“Very true. You’d always wonder who your true friends were,”Kell said with a smile. “Good thing we already established we likedyou when you were a penniless bastard living on studentloans.”
“Well, since you bring it up, that’s exactly where I want tostart,” Crispin said. “I want to pay for all our studentloans.”
“What?” Kell asked.
“Yes, you heard me,” Crispin said. “I know Becky’s good sinceshe’s got her scholarship. But I want to pay for yours, Dorian’sand, yes, even Keegan’s.”
“Crispin, I haven’t got any debts,” Kell reminded him. “I paidfor it all with the insurance from the incident.”
Kell had losthis entire family to a carbon monoxide leak years ago when he was ateenager, and Crispin already knew all this. But in his excitementto help his friends he’d forgotten the part about theinsurance.
“I’m sorry, Kell, I got excited. Of course, I already knowthat.”
“It’s all good. I appreciate the sentiment, but it’s notnecessary to give me money.”
“How are you doing?” Crispin asked him.
“Better since I have Becky and you lot,” Kell said with a sigh.“But I still have my moments. I’ve actually started seeing atherapist about it.”
“Well, that’s great to hear. Good for you,” Crispin said,sitting back in his chair. “Okay, so I have many other ideas as towhere to spend my money.”
“Is it really that important?” Kell asked. “Why don’t you justsit on for a while. Let it all sink in.”
“I have been thinking about it,” Crispin said with confidence.“I want to support the band. I want to buy one of those luxury tourbuses for our upcoming summer tour. You know the ones with thebunks and a bedroom in the back.”
“Now that’s an awesome idea!” Kell snapped, inspired. “Tell youwhat, instead of giving me money, I claim dibs on the privatebedroom. You owe me for ruining my spring break withBecky!”
“Ha! Perfect, it’s all yours. It’s the least I can do. I planon stopping at hotels at night, anyway.” Crispin said, thinkingabout Gwen. He couldn’t wait to see her again.
“Well, thanks, Crispin,” Kell said, standing up and stretching.“Whatever you end up doing with your newfound status and wealth,may it bring you happiness.”
“That’s what I’m striving for.”
“When are you gonna bring that lady of yours over?” Kell asked.“I can’t wait to meet the woman who finally tamed thelion.”
“Freed the lion, more likely,” Crispin said with a smile.“You’ll meet her tomorrow.”
Chapter 42
In the weeksfollowing their return to Kingston, Ontario, Gwen and Crispinbecame mostly inseparable. While, technically, they kept separateaddresses, they often spent their nights at either her apartment orat the House of Goths. Gwen continued to work at Mathewson’sJewellers, insisting she should stick to her commitments, just asCrispin saw fit to keep to his. She did request the summer off tojoin Crispin on tour with the Kingston Quartet. She also took hisadvice about finishing her education. Gwen accepted his financialsupport and had already enrolled in university to
