Page 122 of Mistaken Prejudice

We’d look up new recipes and go buy the ingredients ourselves at farmer’s markets, only to spend hours in the kitchen, cooking together for our men.

“Maybe one day, we can open up a restaurant,” I said in French while stirring the pot with a wooden spoon and keeping an eye on the onion, making sure it wouldn’t get burnt.

“You would want that? To open a restaurant with me?” Papa asked, sounding half-surprised, half-amused.

“Of course I would.”

My answer made him look away from the dough he was kneading and examine me with love.

“Really? I thought most kids would rather their parents not be in their lives once they are grown up.” He chuckled before getting back to working on the dough. Most kids, maybe, but not me. I loved my dads more than anything and I wasn’t ashamed to admit it.

“Not me. I would stay with you forever.”

“What about Andrei? Are you sure he’s comfortable being around us so much?”

Recently, Andrei became a household member. He slept here almost every night. We obviously spent a lot of time alone, but we also hung out with my dads. A lot.

“Yes, Papa. He loves you guys.”

“Be careful with what you are saying. I might really force you to stay here with me forever.” He chuckled as he moved to wash his hands in the sink. I watched him as he rolled up the sleeves of his knit to keep them from getting wet. His wrists were so thin and fragile. I was washed over with self-shame and sadness, knowing what I had made him go through the past months.

I apologized for the way I spoke to him. It was the first thing I did once I could. But it wasn’t enough, at least not for me.

“I’m sorry, Papa,” I said, breaking the silence.

“Sorry? For what? Did you burn the onions?” he asked, coming to stand beside me and check the pan. “They look fine to me.” His hand, now resting on my shoulder, reminded me of his warm touch and support. All my life, he and Dad had been the best parents I could have asked for.

I turned off the stove and quickly flung my arms around him, burying my face in his neck.

“I’m sorry about what I made you go through, but mostly, I’m sorry about the horrible things I told you.”

“Oh, Miles. It’s okay.”

“No, it isn’t.” I protested. “I want you to know—no, I need you to know that I don’t think that way.” I tightened my arms around him and took a deep breath, inhaling his scent. He smelled like a warm ray of sun. Like love and comfort. “You and Dad, you’re the most important people in the world to me, and I’m lucky to have you guys.”

“Oh, my baby.” His shoulders trembled, and I could feel tears sliding down his face. He pushed back only to cup my face with his palms and make me face him. “You are the most important thing to us. Always remember that. Okay? No matter what you’ll do or say, I will always be here for you.”

I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat before I nodded. “I know,” I whispered in a choked voice. It was so us. One minute we were cooking, and the next crying.

“I love you, Papa, and I’m proud to be yours just as much as I’m proud to be Dad’s.”

He pulled me back into an embrace and didn’t let go. It was a bittersweet moment. We cried, and not because of the chopped onions that became soggy on the forgotten pan. I didn’t know for how long we were standing by the stove, hugging and quietly sobbing, but at some point, Dad joined us.

“Am I interrupting something?” he asked, sounding amused.

“Oh, just be quiet and come here,” Papa ordered him while still hugging me, and when I felt us both being embraced by Dad’s strong arms, I felt at home.

***

“I can’t believe you actually cooked it,” Margot said after eating her third plate. It’d been a while since I last saw her, and when Andrei asked me if I would like to invite some friends over, her name was at the top of my list.

“Slow down, lady. You’ll choke.” I chuckled as she gave me the middle finger.

“Are you taking good care of Blanc?” I asked her. With her mouth full, Margot nodded.

I asked her to take care of Blanc until I was fit enough to return to riding.

I wanted to continue competing, but at the moment, my mental health was more important to me. Having said that, I couldn’t wait to ride my beautiful Blanc again.