Page 21 of The Love We Make

“I would like for my mom to find someone again,” Austin says.

My ears perk up and I focus on the conversation again.

“We all say this about our own mothers, no doubt, but she truly is the best mom in the world.”

All three of us scoff in our own way. “Yeah, right,” Juan says. “You’re just lucky.”

“I know. I’m sorry, babe. I wasn’t thinking.” Austin briefly rests his head on Juan’s shoulder. Juan’s family broke ties with him when he came out of the closet.

“What about your dad?” I’m curious to find out about this man who married Mimi knowing that she could never love him in the way that he might need her to.

“My dad’s great. I mean, it’s been complicated at times, and I’ve always sort of known that they didn’t really belong together. You know, in their heart of hearts. But I honestly couldn’t have wished for a better set of parents.” He pauses. “It’s almost as if because they knew that they didn’t have this textbook marriage, they tried extra hard for us kids. Or maybe that’s just because I’m the youngest.”

“Did you know, growing up, that—” For once, I’m aware that I’m about to be very impertinent.

“That my mom was a big old lesbo?” Austin’s so disarming. He doesn’t seem to have many hang-ups talking about this.

I nod and gaze into his bright blue eyes. I’m beginning to really like this man as well.

“They divorced when I was ten and they told me why, so yes, I’ve pretty much always known.”

“What did they tell you?” I ask.

“Nora,” Imani whispers.

I look at her and she gives me a slight shake of the head. I’ve asked one question too many. I guess I’ll have to ask Mimi herself if I want to know the answer.

“It’s okay,” Austin says. “Because my parents have always been so open with me, I don’t have any issues talking about this. I know it was an unusual situation, but not in the way you might expect. It was unusual because my mom has always been honest about who she was but also about what she wanted. With most couples, that’s not the case.” From the solemn expression on his face, I can tell he has nothing but respect for his parents and the choices they made. “Communication and compromise,” Austin says. “That’s what they taught me are the most important things in life and I haven’t come across anyone who could prove them wrong.”

“Is your dad single?” Imani asks.

“He remarried a long time ago.” He smiles as he says it. “Abby is lovely. She and my mom get along eerily well, but then again, why wouldn’t they?”

“Wow.” Imani genuinely looks stunned at this tale of familial bliss.

“Can you imagine me at the same table as that family?” Juan grins.

“Don’t worry, babe,” Austin says. “After the last man I brought home, my family will welcome you with open arms.”

Mimi did say something about Austin’s penchant for older men.

“We,” Imani says, “as Juan’s chosen family, do the same to you, darling.”

“Thank you so much.” Austin has a twinkle in his eyes. “I love my family very much, but I’d happily swap one of my sisters for you, Nora.” He holds up his hands. “Just joking, although, come to think of it, any one of them would swap me to have you as a sister. No doubt.”

“And here I was thinking you were dating me for me,” Juan says. “While all you really want is to be closer to Nora.”

“I can have both.” Austin plants a kiss on Juan’s cheek.

Just because we’re sitting at the same table, I think, doesn’t mean we’re close. But when I look at Austin, I think again. I don’t meet many people who give me the kind of vibe that makes me want to spend more time with them but, by the end of this evening, I might be rooting for this thing between Austin and Juan to last. One thing is extremely obvious: no matter their situation, his parents raised a mighty fine son.

CHAPTER10

MIMI

I’ve set an extra place at the table for Austin’s new boyfriend—Juan’s title in our family now.

“We tried and tried,” Austin says to his sisters. “But Nora could not be swayed to join us for brunch. Maybe next time.” He glances at Juan with a lot of hope in his eyes.

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