Page 103 of Patrick

“You’re killing me, Kay.” My voice breaks and I feel Sofia behind me as she joins the hug.

“You’re both killing me.” Fifi laugh-cries and I move my arm to wrap it around her.

“I’m sorry for all the weeping,” Kathleen says as she separates from us, swiping at her tears with more force this time.

“How about if we have you over for Sunday dinner as soon as we get a place?” I’m surprised that the invitation is real and not some pie in the sky hope. “For real, Kay. You and mom and the boys.”

Kathleen laughs. “Sure. But where will you go and how will you pay for it? I have some money saved up⁠—”

“No worries there.” A grin breaks out of nowhere because money is one thing I’m finally not worried about.

The door opens and Daniel comes inside without knocking. “Why aren’t you worried? You should be.”

“Not when I’m negotiating an NIL deal⁠—”

“No way? For real?”

I nod.

That’s awesome.” Daniel grins. But Kathleen looks puzzled until Fifi explains it to her.

There’s a knock on the door and Mom comes inside, making the small room feels crowded, but in a good way. She comes to me without a word and gives me a hug.

“I hope you know you’re always welcome home as far as I’m concerned.”

Kathleen says, “He’s got an NIL deal.”

“He’s going to be rolling in money,” Daniel adds.

I put up my hands and stop them both. “Don’t get ahead of the puck. I’m in negotiations and it’ll be a modest amount, but enough to float me for a while.” I don’t say until I get drafted by the NHL because there’s something to be said about keeping one’s fragile dreams to themselves so they don’t break.

It shouldn’t be the way, but the closer I get to the real possibility, the more fragile my dream feels.

“As soon as I’m set up you’re all invited over for Sunday dinner.” I meet Mom’s gaze. “In case you want a Sunday off from cooking now and then.”

She nods, her eyes welling up. “I’m glad you’ll be alright financially.”

Sofia moves to my side and wraps her arms around my middle. “Don’t worry, Mrs. Jennings, I’ll take good care of him. We’ll do all we can to make sure our family ties stay strong.”

Mom nods and gives Sofia a quick hug.

“It’s time to go,” I say.

Daniel picks up the duffel bag before I have a chance and we leave the room, everyone following me out the back door. Liam and Rory jump up from their spots at the table to they join us outside.

Only Dad and Pops are left behind at the kitchen table and I take one last glance meeting their hard, stubborn stares.

Turning away, I feel the stab, but as soon as I’m outside with the rest of the family, I breathe in the salty air and tell myself they’ll come around in time. I know they will. I can hold the door open as long as it takes.

In the car on the way back to campus, I leave my hand on Fifi’s thigh, holding on, and her hand covers mine. We’re quiet until her phone pings.

“It’s a text from Mom.” She looks at me like she’s nervous to read it.

“If your mom is texting you now, it must be good.” I don’t know how or why I know this, but I’m unreasonably confident I do.

As she reads it, a smile grows and her face softens. “She says I’m allowed to finish the year at UNH since my tuition is paid for and she says I can come home any time I want because the kitchen door will always be open.” She turns to me with misty eyes and I reach for her hand, holding it the rest of the way back to campus.

A shudder of fear runs through me because neither of us have more than pocket change, my allowance from hockey and whatever she has left in savings.