Page 27 of Back to You

“I sure hope so, Dad.”

Soon Michelle and her kids bustled into the kitchen, getting their own hugs in. The kids adored their grandparents, and it was entirely mutual.

“Let’s eat, everyone get a plate!” Adelaide started off the parade of getting food, as everyone insisted the cook should get first dibs.

Later, after Michelle had taken the kids home for bed, Brandon sat with his father watching a baseball game. Not that he understood baseball in the least, but he liked hanging out with his dad.

“Son, I’m worried about Ethan.”

“I am too. But he swears he has a handle on everything, so I guess I have to trust that he’s right.”

“I used to be like him, you know. Back before you kids were born and your mother and I were first married, I would take as many shifts as I could at the hospital where I worked. We were always understaffed, you see, and I thought I was doing it for the greater good.”

“What happened?”

“Your mother happened. I realized I’d been neglecting her, neglecting our marriage. And that there was no point in working myself to death if I had nothing to come home to. I’m worried Ethan is verging on ruining everything with you.”

Brandon sighed and ran his hand through his hair. “I won’t lie and said I haven’t thought about that. But I just can’t imagine leaving Ethan. I love him too much.”

“That’s what saved me and your mother, I think. We loved each other so much, and it made me realize my work life was unsustainable. That’s when I quit the hospital and went back to school to become an NP. Just … Brandon.” Anthony leaned over and placed his hand on top of his son’s. “Don’t let yourself be miserable. That’s all I worry about.”

“I won’t, Dad. I promise.”

***

Brandon was scooping batter into muffin tins when Marcus entered the kitchen with a yawn.

“Late night?”

“Yeah, band practice. Coffee’s on?”

“Help yourself.”

Brandon continued his baking until he heard Marcus call from outside the kitchen door.

“Brandon? I think you’re needed.”

He walked out to find Marcus staring out the front windows. Sure enough, there was Lake, face pressed against the window like a street urchin, and waving frantically.

“What the hell?”

“He’s been there for a minute. I tried telling him we aren’t open yet, but he started talking and I had no idea what he was saying.”

Brandon strode over and unlocked the door. “Lake —”

“I need caffeine.”

It was a long-standing rule that Brandon or Michelle had to judge whether or not Lake was allowed his usual latte with four shots of espresso. Marcus had named the drink “The Over-Caffeinated Twink” in Lake’s honor, and it was very popular.

“I don’t think you do, you seem to have had plenty.”

“No, I’ve been running on adrenaline, but now I need my usual.”

“You look like a junkie, Lake, come on.”

“Brandon, I’m really close to something big. I can feel it. I don’t exactly know what it is yet, but there’s something there that I’m missing! I just need more time to work on it. And that requires caffeination. Please, I’ll even eat something, I swear.”

Brandon sighed in resignation and motioned Lake inside. He gave Marcus a gesture to get him started on Lake’s latte, and ducked into the kitchen to grab a muffin and a banana.

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