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Loud, dramatic groans are accompanied by my head falling backward. “It’spainfulhow romantic he is.”

“He learned that from watchingyou,Weston,” Clark gingerly reminds. “New word search booklets left in the backseat for Bryn on longer road trips. Replacing the pizza cutter with the Star Trek one you found at a thrift store. Always bringing back something for everyone whenever you travel, even if it’s simply candy from the closest local shop you can find.”

His mouth bobs around, but no sound escapes.

“Wyland is no different.” Clark politely folds his hands in front of him. “Andhe earns the money he spends to buy Kendall those objects himself.”

Surprise pulls his brow tightly together.

“Dog walkingishis weekly assigned chore for an allowance-”

“Which Ilovebecause it’s teaching him toworkand save,” I approvingly interject.

“-however, he walks J.T. and Janae’s dogs as well.”

“WhichNae lovesbecause our boys can and do find any excuse in the worldnotto do it.”

“The groomers come for the dogs every two weeks, but Wy grooms them – aside from washing them post swims – in between visits along with J.T. and Janae’s.”

“Again, wife loves it.”

“He also does random things such as help Brae clean her violin bow, run lines with Blake when she can’t sleep before a performance, and recently volunteered to tutor a classmate who couldn’t afford one.” Pride pushes his shoulders a bit back. “For these…unprompted acts of kindness…I…in turn…often providehim…with a bit of financial kindness that adds to the funds he uses to cultivate the aforementioned box.”

“I just pay for shipping,” I innocently announce on a shrug. “There’s a loophole we can use through the company – Wilcox not The Institute – that makes international shit super cheap and super-fast.”

“It’s similar to the wayyour fatheralways ensured that you –as well as J.T.– always had what you financially needed toimpressorwoothe young ladies who came into your lives without reluctance. You two could’ve easily been lazy, ungrateful brats who squandered every penny they were given and failed to ever show anounceof appreciation for what it took to earn it, yet you weren’t. You were mindful whenever large purchases for you were being made. And went the extra mile to assist me in the littlest tasks despite not needing to. And neverexpectedorrequestedordemandedgifts, but always expressed gratitude for them no matter how big or small. It’s why whenever you foughtharderabout something, Will was likely to cave.” His eyebrows lift in additional insinuation. “Because ifyouwere willing to fight for it, it must’ve been worth fighting for.”

“That’s where the twins get that from…” comes out of me just above a whisper.

“Yes.” Clark battles against the grin trying to grow on his face. “Once upon a time, Weston didn’t fight tooth and nail for every decision. Once upon a time, he was exactly like the twins. Carefree. Easygoing. It was their death that shifted that behavior.” His glare glides back to the man who might as well be his son. “And it’s their death that prevents you from givingyour sonthe only thing he’sasking forthis Christmas.”

Guilt noticeably creeps into his expression.

Has him shuffling his feet.

“You’reafraid history will repeat itself.” Sternness seeps into his stare. “You’reafraid if you don’t tell him no when your father told you yes, that he may end up suffering the same fate.” Clark creeps closer. “That there will be a terrible accident, and he will lose this family. That he will loseyou. That he’ll have to finish growing up without his father like you did; however,your fearis what’s making that a reality with or without an accident, Weston.”

“Youare what’s causing him to grow up without that relationship,” I quietly state. “I understand being afraid of bad shit happening to us – bad shitalwaysseems to happen to us – but trying to keep us locked up whenever it snows, or the wind blows wrong isn’t the answer. And refusing to at least explain to himwhyyou’re so hellbent against traveling right now is simply doing more damage to an already fucked up relationship.”

“Go and talk to your son, Wes.” Clark lovingly insists.

“Talkto himandwith him,” encouragingly escapes. “Not at him.”

Puppet Boy casually extends the bag in his direction. “Give him this, and then giveyourselfthe gift of really getting to know the little dude.”

Chapter 7

Wes

A Christmas intervention.

I can’t decide if this is better orworsethan an alcoholic one.

I do know that a drink right about now would take the edge off.

And I also know they don’t give out chips for not being a terrible parent.

And I am.

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