Page 61 of Mimosa

In Georgetown, however, the house they’d purchased had none around it that was anywhere similar. It was smaller, less square footage, but the price had been triple what they’d gotten for their Broomfield home.

The pride on his father’s face, Mims would never forget it. Mostly because he’d never looked at Ali with such pride. More times than not, when his eyes fell on Mims, it was disgust that was evident.

“Are you still ready to do this? We’re only about three miles by my GPS.”

Mims nodded before he turned his head to Cosmo. “I am. How would you…I don’t know, start?”

A long sigh came from Cosmo’s beautiful mouth. “Damn, that’s tough. It’s not like I haven’t thought about it, with my dad. I’ve pictured rushing to him and knocking him on his ass, but I wouldn’t recommend that.”

“No,” he said laughing tightly.

“I guess the things I’d say that stick with me most is asking him why he cared so little for me and my siblings. I’d tell him I hated him more than I loved him for the things that have happened to me since he gave me up. I’d tell him that those moments when he’s the happiest with his new family would always be stained with the blood of my mother and siblings.”

“Ouch.”

“I’m not wrong. When I picture him, there’s a cloud over him. I have tried to see him without it, and I can’t. It’s always there, hovering right over his head. I’m not saying I’m reading anything into that but my own feelings on it, but it’s there.”

“I don’t see anything, but then again, I try really hard not to picture him at all. It hurts too much.”

“When you get past that, Mims, you’ll feel better. Yes, our parents are supposed to love us unconditionally. But not all parents are like that. Just because a person has kids doesn’t mean they’re good people. Shit, even some serial killers had kids. All we can do is make sure that we’re better than them. That we care more, that we find happiness in things that have nothing to do with them. That is the real trick. Whether your parents are good or not, every person should strive to be better than them. It’s the only way to make the world work.”

“Thanks, Cosmo,” he said and felt energized. A better person. Someone who cared more. He could easily do that.

“The way you are with Katie and Little Mick, Mims…you are so sweet with them. And I’ll say it, they’re spoiled like crazy and man, they’re rough to love some days, but you never blink. You talk to them plainly and sweetly.”

“I love them. I love my little nieces and nephews, too.”

“Then you’re already better than your dad.”

The house was yellow with white trim. Two stories spread out with the backdrop of a treed hill behind it. What a pretty sight for a house with few smiles inside of it.

They parked in front so they could easily and quickly leave. Most parked off to the side, so the blight of a vehicle wouldn’t cover the meticulously pruned landscape they paid well to maintain.

Mims took a deep breath as his hand rested on the handle of the door, and Cosmo took the other one, holding it loosely. “I’m right here. I’m not leaving your side unless you tell me to, and even then, I won’t be far.”

“I don’t even know how to thank you for this, Cosmo.”

“Buy all Diaq’s wet food for the month and we’re even.”

“Abs has him eating that expensive stuff, huh?”

“Yes. Fifty bucks a case for it!”

“Okay, it’s a deal.”

“Good. Let’s go.”

They walked together to the door and Mims saw the curtain moving, and knew his mother was looking out of it. Still, he walked, and kept his eyes from that moment on the door in front of them.

He was shaking with fear, and he knew he could burst into tears at any moment, but he suddenly had a force with him that could carry him through.

Like he felt them, all his real family at the pub and somewhere in Denver was Sonny. They were all thinking of him in that moment, sending their strength to him, and he could feel it. It created an invisible barrier around him that nothing could penetrate.

All that love went with him as he knocked on the door. Cosmo beside him, stiffening, ready to attack for him, ready to defend Mims no matter what came at them. Mims never knew he was so loved until that moment.

“Thank you,” he whispered.

Cosmo simple grunted.

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