Page 24 of Throuple Next Door

“Is this what you want to do?” Weaver asked.

“I think so. I love big events, and I know I can put them together and find ways to help make money for the theater. They want to restore the façade above the marquee. It’s going to cost a lot, because no one seems to know why the surface is peeling away, but we’ll figure it out, and I’ll raise the money to make the outside of the theater as grand as the inside. Why?”

Weaver hugged Austin again. “Because we want you to be happy, the same as you do for us. You moved here because you thought it would be best for Randy, and you more than any of us took a chance that you’d land on your feet. And we’re thrilled that you have.” Weaver hugged him once more. “You know I love you and so does Randy.”

“And I love both of you.” He pulled away, but still held Weaver’s hand. “The day isn’t over yet.”

Weaver nodded. “Randy says that I’d look good in the all-white outfit.”

“Of course you would. Why do you think I had it set aside in your size? Go on out front and pick it up.” He turned to Randy, who had the audacity to smirk at him “I have a few things set aside for you too. Now go on out there, mingle, and get some clothes for summer.” He practically dragged the two of them out front and got them the clothes he had picked out.

Weaver didn’t argue and paid for what Austin had chosen. Randy did the same, and with their purchases and the couple of things Louise found for herself, they all did their bit to support the theater.

“I think I get it,” his mother said that evening as she set a bowl of her amazing pasta with pesto on the table.

“What is it that you get now?” Randy asked, expecting another of her pronouncements.

“The three of you. I think I get it now.” She pulled out her chair and sat down. Randy leaned forward, half expecting another verse of the same tune. “Austin needed something, and the two of you came running without a moment’s hesitation. Just like your father. If I needed anything, he came running and moved heaven and earth for me. The two of you did that for Austin, and I dare say he would do the same for you.”

Randy patted her hand. “Mom, this is something all three of us know. With you and Dad, your hearts were filled with each other. For us, there are two and our hearts are just as full. But it’s different too.”

“It takes even more work,” Weaver said gently. “We look out for each other and make sure that no one feels left out or better than the rest. Randy was part of me first, but that doesn’t mean that I love Austin less or that Austin took away from Randy. I think my heart just got bigger, so they would both fit.”

Randy couldn’t have put it better himself. “Just think of it this way. Instead of one son-in-law, you have two.”

His mom nodded slowly. “I guess I kept trying to fit you into the mold of what I thought a good relationship should look like, and instead, you were already out there, making your own brand of happiness.” She sighed deeply. “Can you forgive me?”

Randy smiled. “Mom, there’s nothing to forgive.”

“Yeah, Louise,” Austin said, along with Weaver. “The three of us are a family.”

His mom took both Weaver’s and Austin’s hands. “We’re all a family.”

Randy was shocked. He never thought he would hear those words from her. But here they were, plain as day.

“And now I can relax.”

“And maybe find someone to share your life with,” Austin said.

Randy about choked on his glass of water and shot Austin a dirty look. “My mother does not need to be going out on dates.”

Louise scoffed. “I’ve seen a number of men over the past few years.” She whispered it like she was sharing some big secret.

“Why am I first hearing about this? And are these men good enough for you? Why haven’t I met any of them?”

“Because you’d scare the crap out of them,” Weaver told him. “It’s good your mom is dating. She’s a vital woman and should be happy.”

Randy growled as he ate his pasta, not liking this one bit.

“There is a man I really like. We’ve been dating for a few months now, and it’s starting to get serious.”

Randy swallowed. “Damn…. Then I need to meet him to make sure he’s good enough for you.”

“Don’t get your underwear in a twist. I’m not going to get remarried any time soon, and Jerry is a nice man. We keep each other company and do things together. He lost his wife about the same time I lost your father, and we’re both figuring out how to get on with our lives.”

“I think it’s wonderful,” Austin said.

Randy wanted to growl at him, but Weaver said the same thing, and he knew he was outnumbered. “Yeah. I suppose. As long as you’re happy.”

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