Page 64 of Animal's Reformation
“Like a what?” Staring at him, her eyes brimmed with tears.
Fuck!He shook his head. “Just be careful, okay? There’re a lot of fucking crazies out there. Harmless flirting online is one thing, but meeting up with these guys you know nothing about is another.”
His mother bit the corner of her trembling lip and nodded.
Shit.He hated to see any woman cry, and watching his mother on the verge of doing so broke his heart. His relationship with his mother had always been strained, but he loved her in his own way. They were two very different people and they came together like oil and water. Ever since he was a kid, he’d butted heads with his mom, but he was attached at the hip to his dad. Theirs was a relationship of love, mutual respect, and admiration. His father loved him and his sister unconditionally, but he could never say that about his mother. No matter what their differences or recriminations, Animal didn’t want anything bad to happen to his mom.
“Just be smart, and if you go out with one of those assholes, tell someone about it so we know the who and the where.” While Animal talked, he saw his mom fidgeting with different items on the kitchen counter. “I don’t want anything to happen to you. I know Jada feels the same way and, of course, Dad.”
Opening one of the cupboard doors, his mom nodded then took out several small spice bottles.
Animal cleared his throat. “I’m gonna visit with Dad for a few.”
An awkward silence stretched between them before he walked out of the kitchen and went into the family room. The chopping of vegetables resumed as Animal went over to the fireplace and stoked the logs. Turning back around, he looked at his father and his heart squeezed: his dad looked so frail and old with his head tilted back and his mouth cocked open.
Once the weather gets warmer, I’ll take him fishing.His father loved to fish for rainbow trout in the rivers around the county, and every spring and summer Animal made it a point to go fishing with him several times a month.
“Dad?” he said in a low voice. His father’s mouth closed and his head lolled from one side to the other. “Dad?” he said again.
His father’s eyes snapped open, and he blinked at the light and wiped the drool from his chin. He straightened up in the wheelchair and his bleary gaze stared at Animal.
“When did you get here?” he asked.
“A while ago.” Animal walked over and sat next to him. “You were snoozing.”
“Oh.” He shifted in the chair and looked over his shoulder. “Is your mom still home?”
“Yeah.” A huge smile filled up his dad’s face, and it hit Animal like a punch to his gut. “She’s making dinner.”
The smile grew bigger. “Then she’ll be staying home tonight.” His dad turned back and looked at Animal. “Are you and Lucy coming for chow?”
“No, Lucy’s got tutoring after school and then homework.”
“Have your mom pack you up a care package so the little one can eat something decent. Your mom’s a great cook … but you already know that.”
The warmth in his dad’s eyes when he spoke about Rena slayed Animal. He really couldn’t wrap his head around his dad being okay with his mom cheating on him, but then if his dad knew about it and encouraged it, was it really cheating? Animal raked his fingers through his hair in frustration.
“Are you and Mom good?” he asked in a low voice, his eyes darting to the kitchen. His mother was still at the counter preparing the stew, her back turned to them.
His dad laid his hand on Animal’s. “We’re great.”
“I mean, you’re good with her going out and meeting new …” his voice trailed off. It felt strange as fuck to saymen, but isn’t that what they were? The truth was that his mom was hooking up with men to have sex.Fuck!
“I’m the one who suggested it. I’m not the man I used to be, and your mother is still young and has needs. It works for us.”
Animal searched his father’s face to see if there was any pain, but he found none.If Dad’s cool with this then it’s none of my business.“I just wanted to make sure.”
“Always looking out for your old man.” His father patted Animal’s hand. “You’re a good son, but you don’t have to worry about your mom and me—we love each other, and I’m happy that she’s happy.”
“Okay then,” Animal whispered.
For the next couple of hours, the two men talked up a storm about everything and nothing, and when the clock hit 4:15 p.m., Animal couldn’t believe how fast the time had flown.
He stood and clasped his dad’s shoulder. “I gotta pick up Lucy at school.” His father nodded. “Poker night is at Ryder’s house this month. You should come.”
“Sounds like something I’d like to do. I haven’t seen Ryder in a while. He mentioned wanting to go fishing with us when the weather warms up.”
“Yeah, he said the same thing to me. We’ll make a day of it.”
