Page 123 of Rather: The Therapist

“Then send him to my mom,” I tittered, knowing she’d gladly join the round up.

“She’ll kill us all if we don’t. Does she know?”

“Nah. You were the first person I called.”

“Good. Let me tell her.”

“Okay, I have a video in case she doesn’t believe you. I’m sending it over now.”

“Alright. Talk to you later, son.”

“Later.”

I ended the call and sent the video I’d taken. I was sure my mother would be calling me after talking to my father, but I’d let him do the honors. Even at thirty-six, they remain co-parents.

Their healthy relationship was a goal for so many parents who didn’t have romantic ties. It had trickled down to the care of Princeton which created the perfect balance. He was blessed with three grandparents who loved him dearly.

Lola didn’t know who her father was and her mother had been strung out since she was three. She’d bounced around from foster care to foster care. I, later, understood the absence of her mother made her detachment from Princeton fairly simple.

She didn’t know what a mother looked like, felt like, or acted like. She’d tried her hardest to be the best version of what she thought a mother was the first year of Princeton’s life. But, when his diagnosis was revealed, she folded. All the things she was becoming, the mother she was becoming, vanished so easily.

As for me, all I knew was healthy, wholesome parenting. I’d been my father’s pride and joy since I was born, despite the circumstances surrounding my conception and birth. Not only did I have a phenomenal mother, but I was gifted with a second one. God had been generous. My support system was solid, which is why I didn’t bat an eye when Lola skated.

The body of the Phantom was massive. It claimed a sizable amount of the pavement that carved Rather’s driveway. When the wheels stopped in front of her door, a part of me found peace. Since I’d seen her descending the stairs at The Mansion two years ago, this was exactly where I wanted to be.

Nikola was safely inside my home, preparing to change linen and reacclimate Princeton with his at-home routine. For the weekend, she’d be visiting family five-hundred miles away. I was looking forward to her taking the much needed break from our home.

It wasn’t until I opened his door that I noticed Princeton had fallen asleep. He’d worn himself out mimicking me and my helicopter parenting. His sense of humor was the aspect of this all that I was looking forward to.

Laughing with my son was a dream I wasn’t afraid to admit I had often. It was the purest form of gratitude a child could display. I was patiently waiting for the day Princeton brought me to tears and made my stomach ache from laughter.

“Come on, son.”

Barely above a whisper, I encouraged his consciousness. A few nudges got his eyes open. At the realization of where we were, he found the strength to smile. He bounced up and down, trying to assist me with the task at hand. He tapped the red button as if I didn’t know it was the key to his freedom.

“Woah. Let me get your belt undone.”

Eagerly, he jumped down from the car onto the concrete after I’d loosened his seatbelt. I wasn’t sure what sounds were coming from his mouth as he ran around the car and up to the door, but they were very new and very peculiar.

By the time I made it to the door, Rather was turning the locks. Routines. She lived by them all her life. It wasn’t until two years ago that changed for her. But, Princeton’s presence was a reminder of the life she once had. The routines.

Two o’clock.

Tuesdays.

Every week.

Upon opening the door, Rather dropped to her knees. She pulled Princeton in for a hug and wrapped her hands around his body. As they embraced, she stared up at me with crinkled eyebrows and concern written all over her pretty face. My presence was baffling. So there was no more confusion on her behalf, I made shit crystal clear.

I miss you. I mouthed, simultaneously using my hands to confess.

Her spine curled. Her eyes closed. And, a sigh escaped her lips. The tension in her spine dissolved before my very eyes.

Shortly after, she loosened her grip on my son and held him at a distance.

“Hi, Princeton. Are you ready for our session?”

He lifted his head and it fell almost immediately after.

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