Welp.
Funny how quickly that shut us up.
It was something we had to discuss sooner rather than later. I couldn’t foresee any major issues from our mother; not only was she open-minded, but she was used to us giving her gray hairs for one reason or another. And I didn’t think us being a couple would top the two separate occasions we’d been to jail. Once for theft, where we’d served nine months together. Then I’d been arrested for assault one time, where the case had been dropped, and Boone had served three months for possession.
He’d brag about being released on good behavior, but we knew the reality was more an issue of overcrowded jails.
Either way, if Mom could handle all that, she could handle us being together.
The issue was Ace. Mom had legally adopted me, meaning we had to look into the state laws on incest and shit like that, because we wouldn’t risk losing custody of our daughter. Even if there was a no-relation clause that made us exempt, which was likely the case, all it took was a badass prosecutor against a shitty defense, and we’d lose everything. I had zero faith in the legal system, and cops didn’t like me for some weird reason.
I didn’t know what brightened my day the most, watching my girl score twice before halftime of the first game or Mom’s pastrami sandwich.
It was a toss-up.
“This was so fucking good, Ma.” I crammed the last of it into my mouth and picked up my beer. Obviously, I had my pink koozie that solemnly swore it was just soda.
“I’m glad you liked it,” she replied with a smile. “What about you, Boone?”
“Not enough mayo,” he said with his mouth full. “But it was all right.”
I frowned and reached over our cooler to smack his arm. “The fuck is wrong wit’chu? She worked hard on that. The last thing she needs is ungratefulness from your misogynistic ass.” I knew the times we lived in. It was important to support our women. “Apologize and tell her to make you two sandwiches next time.”
Boone winced and offered Ma an apologetic look. “I’m sorry—I did like it. Especially the roasted onion.”
Ma took a deep breath, closed her eyes for a beat, and rubbed her temples.
It gave me an idea. I knew how to make it better. I opened the cooler and brought out the wine and cheese. “Here, Ma. This is for you.” I got out of my chair to bring it to her. We’d emptied half a bottle of red into a Coke bottle, and the pack of string cheese was a nice brand and everything.
“It’s from me too,” Boone was quick to say.
I withheld my eye roll.
Mom accepted the gift and stared at it. “This is…so nice of you. Thank you, boys.”
I smiled, satisfied, and returned to my chair and flipped open the box of donuts.
That evening, we invited Mom over for a barbecue. Since Ace was gonna spend the night with her again, I wanted our little soccer champion to spend some time with us at home before they were off again.
It’d been a great day. Ace was wearing a silver medal around her neck, and Boone and I were sporting impressive sunburns.
“This really turned out great, Casey.” Mom was checking out my new porch from where she was sitting at the table.
“It did, didn’t it?” I agreed with her. It wasn’t very big, but I had enough room for a grill in the corner, a table for four, and a plastic chest at the other end for Ace’s pool toys and the seat cushions. We didn’t need more than that. But it was nice to get off the ground. We did get some snakes around here, and Ace was terrified of them.
Boone came out with an armful of condiments and more beers, Ace close behind with soda and paper plates.
I flipped the burgers on the grill and took a swig of my beer.
Boone sat down next to Ma, and he was watching Ace with a proud grin. “Lemme see that thing again, baby G.” She was all too happy to join him. He turned the medal in his hand and shook his head. “You don’t know how proud Daddy and I are. We should put up a shelf in your room for all your trophies.”
That was a good idea. She’d earned a few by now.
Ace beamed. “I hope I get one more in November.”
“For the spelling bee?” I asked.
She nodded and climbed up on Boone’s lap. “The competition ain’t lookin’ too hot, son. S’all I’m sayin’.”
I laughed.
Mom leaned back with a wry little smile. “Maybe this time, Boone can attend.”
That made me snort. I wasn’t banking on it. Last year, he’d stood up in the auditorium and yelled “Boo, you S-U-C-K!” to the boy who lost to Ace. Even I had supported my brother’s ban on that one.
“I didn’t know spelling bees had so much suspense,” Boone replied defensively. “Excuse me for getting excited. No one woulda batted an eyelash if it’d been football.”
I mean…
“They’re young children, Boone,” Mom grated.
I shook my head in amusement, then plated the burgers and joined them at the table.
“Daddy, can I put on some music?” Ace asked me.
“Sure thing.” I dug out my car keys and tossed them to her. “Remember not to turn the ignition this time.”
She giggled and ran down the steps.
“Don’t you have a ridiculously expensive stereo inside?” Mom asked.
“I ain’t keeping the door open when the AC’s runnin’,” I replied. That was nuts.
She accepted that.
Conversation lulled while we prepared our burgers, and I got Ace’s ready while listening for her in the carport. Knowing her, she was flipping through my CD case to find the perfect mix.
“I love the girl, but she wouldn’t know a good burger if it smacked
