Page 88 of Force At Third

“We should grab Taco Bell for Rome and CeCe,” AJ says, jogging to catch up with Nour.

***

Just inside the player lounge, I see my folks talking with Justice and Max Steel.

When Max smiles and tips his head to me, Mom turns and hurries toward me. I drop my bag and open my arms, grabbing her in a hug and twirling her in a circle. I immediately notice she’s lost more weight.

She laughs. “Surprised to see us?”

“You know I am.” I put her on her feet and kiss the top of her head.

She reaches up, eyes sparkling, and takes my face in her hands. “I saw Deborah and Annie at the gas station this morning, and they told me what happened to Gwen. I assured her that we’d pray for Gwenie. Imagine my surprise when Deb told me you were the one who called her, that you were at the hospital with Gwenie, looking after her, and something about an engagement?”

Dad hugs me quickly then wraps his arm around Mom’s shoulder and tucks her into him. “Theresa, I thought we were going to keep that under our hats and let him bring it up.”

“I tried—I truly did—but something told me that he needed me to coax him a little bit.”

“To get into Gwendolyn’s hospital room, I had to tell?—”

“Now, hold up just a minute,” Mom cuts me off as she digs into her purse.

Dad leans down and whispers in the way he does, which is never much quieter than his regular speaking voice, “And I thought we were also waiting on?—”

“We had to bring you this.” Mom hands me a box. “Mama June wanted you to have this the day you proposed to Gwendolyn York. She adored her, you know? On her deathbed, I promised you’d have it, and now you do.” Her eyes fill with tears, and her hand covers her heart.

Fuck me, I groan inwardly but smile.

“When that day comes, I’ll have it now, won’t I?”

Not bothering to look at it, knowing it’s the flashy green diamond that Gwen pretended to love and gushed over every time she saw Mama June, I shove the damn thing in my pocket.

“Well, let’s get going. I can’t wait to give her a squeeze and let her know I knew this day would come, and I’m just so tickled I survived cancer so that I could be here to see Mama June’s ring on Gwenie’s finger.” She starts toward the door, leaving us behind.

Dad looks at me and shakes his head. “I will not apologize for anything that woman does.”

“I’m aware.”

“That hit at the bottom of the sixth …” He shakes his head. “You keep surprising me, son.”

A loud whistle has me turning back, and Justice and Max are coming our way, rolling Mom and Dad’s suitcases.

“You coming, son?” Dad yells to me but doesn’t look back.

“Right behind you, Dad.”

“You got them both?” Max asks.

“Sure do, thank you.”

I’m halfway to my vehicle when I stop hitting the key fob, unlocking the doors, and popping the hatch when Mom stops.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, we forgot our bags. Larry, our medications; how will we ever?—”

“I’ve got them. Y’all go ahead.”

“Must be the jetlag. You know we don’t travel like we used to.”

***

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