Page 66 of Family Bonds- Garrett & Justine

Yeah, not going to happen anytime soon.

“You know a lot of what goes on in your children’s lives,” he said.

“But there is always room for more.”

He shook his head and got the plates and silverware out and set the table. He’d be happy to just sit at the island, but he knew she’d want to sit at the table.

When they were done carrying all the food there, he made his plate with the pork, mashed potatoes and carrots sweetened with orange and honey. Just the way he loved them.

He could tell his mother was pulling out all the stops because he saw the chocolate cake on the counter too but hadn’t said a word.

“We have a good slow thing going. You know what she went through recently.”

“You’ve gone through just as much heartache,” his mother said.

“And I told her about it,” he said.

His mother’s eyes widened. “Everything?”

“Everything encompasses a lot. That would be no. She knows what made me come to the island.”

“Oh,” his mother said.

“She doesn’t need to know about exes or anything else at this point. She asked more specifics. I’d hinted toward needing the break before and trying to figure my life out. Considering what she has shared with me, I felt I owed it to her.”

“You feel you owe it to her?” his mother asked. “That’s not the right way to go about it.”

“You’re reading into my words more than you need to,” he said. “I was trying to share that she wasn’t alone and that I appreciate how open she’s been with me and I was trying to do the same.”

“That sounds better,” his mother said. “Are you in love?”

He didn’t like the smirk on his mother’s face. “I’m not answering that,” he said.

He ate and his mother let him for about five minutes and then said, “Is this a serious relationship at least? She’s met several family members. I’m assuming it’s not a secret?”

“No secret,” he said. “Some people have seen us together at work. We aren’t lying but not making an announcement. It’s not my way and it’s not hers either. I think she needs to be handled gently.”

His mother snorted. “No one handles people as gently as you, Garrett, but that doesn’t mean it’s best for you either and I’m always going to stand behind my son.”

“I know,” he said. “And I appreciate it. I can trust you, right?”

“Of course you can,” his mother said. “I’m hurt you even have to ask that.”

But the grin on her face said she was humoring him. “She was close to her father. His murder and the situation around it haven’t been easy, but she got a call from her mother on Friday night. I hadn’t realized that relationship wasn’t that good.”

He told his mother what he knew. “I can’t imagine any mother choosing a man and travel over her own children.”

“Not everyone has the same family values as us,” he said. “As you.”

“That’s right. What values does Justine have?”

“I really don’t know,” he said.

It was hard for him to get a handle on things. More like frustrating.

If there was one thing he hated, it was feeling frustrated that he had no control over something.

“You can’t get a feel from it at all?”

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