Page 83 of Comforting the Grump

“Sarah and I did what we could to make up for what was lacking in your life.”

“Remember what you told me at my high school graduation?” He shook his head. “You told me not to forget I wasn’t the product of my DNA and that I had to shape my own future.”

“That sounds like something I would say.”

“It took me until recently to realize you were right. I allowed myself to believe that my crappy DNA meant I would never be able to find love or be in a healthy, committed relationship. But Ennio made me see that’s bullshit, that I was shaped more by the people around me, the people who loved me like you and Mrs.Frant and Auden and all my friends, than by the people I share DNA with.”

“He’s wise like that.”

“I’ve been so scared to disappoint people like my parents disappointed me.”

“You’re not a disappointment, son. You could never be.”

“Not even when I slept with everyone willing to spread their legs for me?”

He let out a dry chuckle. “Are you trying to shock me? Because that won’t work.”

“You gotta have an opinion on it. I mean, you’re a man with principles.”

“Were all of those sexual encounters consensual and between adults?”

“Of course.”

“Then what business is it of mine? Look, I’m not gonna pretend I understand why you did it, but I also don’t judge. To each their own, especially when it comes to sex.” Then he narrowed his eyes. “But you damn well better treat Ennio with respect.”

I held up my hands. “I have every intention to. I’d never cheat on him, sir. Ever.”

“Then you have my blessing.”

“Yeah? You’re truly okay with this?”

“Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Because he’s your son, and I’m…” I made a helpless gesture.

“You’re what, Marnin? An amazing man capable of so much more than he ever thought? A man who is a true, loyal friend to those he loves and gave his best friend the most amazing gift anyone could ever give?”

“I did nothing special,” I protested. “All I did was jerk off into a cup.”

“Bullshit. You created life, Marnin. You gave Auden what he needed so he could fulfill his dream of having a family. And then you stepped back and let those two girls bloom into wonderful young women. God, have you met Violet? She’s you. She’s smart and fiercely loyal, and she has your sarcastic sense of humor but also your big heart. Every time I look at her, I see you…and it makes me so glad and grateful.”

It was hard to recognize myself in those words, but I tried to see it through his eyes. For the first time, I truly made an effort to take a step back and look at what I had done from someone else’s perspective. “All I feel is gratitude that I could do that for Auden and Tricia.”

“The act itself was a kindness, but stepping back and never taking credit for it was selfless, and I will never forget it. So yes, I’m more than okay with you and Ennio being together. Did I see it coming? No, but once I saw the two of you together, it made complete sense. He’s the sunlight to your shadows, and you’re the reason for his intuition and dreams. You complement each other.”

“We do. He’s…” My heart swelled with joy and I was certain I was sporting a goofy smile. “He makes me want to be a better man.”

“That’s the hallmark of love right there.”

“I love him more than I ever thought possible.”

“So you’re serious about him? About a future together.”

A surge of determination and happiness coursed through me. “I’m going to marry him…if he’ll have me. And it won’t be long either. Now that I finally got my head out of my ass, I’m not going to waste any time. I want to spend every moment I can with him.”

He started laughing. “I wholeheartedly agree, son.”

“And I promise to take care of him financially.” I hesitated. Should I tell him what I was working on with Tomás and Tiago?No, it needed to stay a surprise for now. I didn’t want Ennio to find out before everything had been approved. “As much as he needs and wants me to.”

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