Page 10 of The Twins

I unlock my door without responding, unsure of what to say, the words clogging in my throat. This is too much for one day. I’m fucking exhausted, mentally and physically.

I’m unprepared for the scene I walk in on. My dad bumps into me as I stop abruptly in my doorway. Mom sits on my couch, turned to rest her arm on the back of it. That’s not what’s confusing. It’s that Vandy is walking the length of the room, talking with mom, while holding Arlo snug to her chest, her hand rubbing up and down his back. He’s passed the fuck out. Wasted in her arms.

Why is she here? How is she here? I left her outside before I went to the meeting; she was supposed to be leaving. I am not a fan of the emotions that rise from my esophagus. My conversation with my dad echoes in my brain as I stare at her. Fear. Apprehension. Hope. Fuck, I’ve never felt any of this before. Makes me want to vomit, purge all these unwanted emotions from my body and be done with them.

But I can’t look away. I can’t focus on anything but her and my son.

“Tev! I was about to put Arlo down for the night when Vandy knocked on your door. She’s so good with Arlo, he reached out for her and fell asleep immediately.” Mom’s words sound innocent, but they are laced with so much “knowing” that I’m never going to hear the end of it. She likes Vandy, that’s obvious. She would never have given Vandy her grandchild to hold if she didn’t. The women of the Kosher Nostra appear open and accepting, but they are a shrewd judge of character. Within seconds, they make their decision, and it is final. Mom has welcomed Vandy into the family, just as Seril has.

I grunt out, “Did you need something?” Last I saw her, she was reminding me that we are nothing more than business, a responsibility of her employment.

Vandy’s throat moves as she swallows, her grip tightening ever so slightly on my son. “I was hoping to walk through your suite and figure out if there was anything to be done to make life easier for both of you.”

Live here with us.Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, I can’t believe I just thought that. What the fuck is wrong with me? I shake my head to rid myself of whatever the fuck that was, and motion for her to have a look around.

“Vandy?” Dad steps in from behind me. “Steven Frenkel. It’s a pleasure to meet you, young lady. Why don’t I take the little guy and Gert and I will put him to bed while you…look around.” Subtle. Not a word the Kosher Nostra understands.

“Nice to meet you, Steven.” Vandy gifts him a brilliant smile as she carefully hands over the limp body of Arlo. I’ve held that kid when he’s asleep, it is solid dead weight. Nothing weighs more than a sleeping child, as far as I’m concerned. Especially my child. Despite his illness, Arlo is above height and weight expectations at his age. He’s a big kid and will only get bigger.

Dad carries Arlo into his bedroom, Mom follows, spinning around once she’s behind Vandy and gives me a double thumbs up. I stifle a laugh at her antics, meeting Vandy’s eyes. She’s nervous in my presence. Biting her bottom lip and darting her eyes around the room but coming back to me every few seconds. The way the blush suffuses her skin draws me in and before I know it, I’m inches away, towering over her, my cock and I loving the size difference between us.

“You’re good with Arlo. He likes you.”

“He’s such a sweet boy. I have a list of things in my phone to check up on for his condition. I’ll get you an easy guide for dealing with MSUD; foods, activities, things to watch for. I can make copies for everyone that would be with him. It’s best to get everyone on the same page. I’m sure your family would feel bad if they gave him something his body couldn’t process. I caught a little of his bedtime routine with your mom. She’s great. And she loves Arlo so much. And you. Obviously. She’s your mom, of course she loves you. I don’t know if I said it. But you’re doing a good job with him. I wasn’t so sure when you spoke of him in the group. It’s clear that you’re trying. And that’s all any of us can do. Just try. Although Yoda said, ‘do or do not, there is no try’.”

She yelps when I bend low enough to fuse my mouth to hers. God help me, her rambling and terrible Yoda impression are endearing. Her words, though, the fact she’s noticed my effort to connect with my son, and how much she already likes my boy, incite something inside me that can only be quenched with her lips. Her tongue hesitantly touches mine. Her whimpers when I band my arm around her back and lift her effortlessly, so I don’t have to bend down so far. I drink from her mouth and it’s everything I knew it would be. Only better. Her arms around my neck, she holds on tight, opening to me willingly, letting me plunder her mouth.

Dad clears his throat and ruins the fucking moment. Vandy gasps in my arms, then squirms like Arlo when he wants to get down. On her feet, she takes a giant step back, staring at me in horror. Not the reaction a man wants from a woman after kissing her.

“Oh God! What have I…we can’t do that! This is so wrong. Seril’s gonna fire me.” Dad, Mom and I burst out laughing. Seril will do no such thing. Knowing the Sarai Ima, this was probably her plan all along. I’m not as mad as I should be about it, either. “I have to go!” She dodges my outstretched hand, running to the door, throwing it open and she’s gone. I could go after her, I could tell the guards to detain her. But she’s like a cornered animal right now, and I’m smart enough to know she needs space. And I need a cold shower.

“Your son is sound asleep. Go take care of that thing.” Mom points at my tented pants. “We’re leaving.” Mom grabs Dad’s hand and drags him from my suite. My cock dies a swift death when Dad winks at me, thrusting his hips slightly as he shuts the door behind him.

Fuck. That kiss…that’s too tame a word for what we just shared. If I was interested in her before, I think it’s safe to say I’m bordering on obsession now. She needs to process, and I’ll give her that time, but then I’m coming for her. Ready or not, she’s mine.

Great, now I sound like Ezra.

Vandy 8.

Avoidance is the name of the game. Distraction. Keep busy, keep moving, just keep swimming…so thoughts of the tallest, hottest man I’ve ever met and the way he masterfully claimed my mouth last week don’t have time to settle, fester, completely take over my every conscious thought. And some unconscious.

I never knew dreams could be so erotic. Except, when I get close to cumming, screaming out Tevye’s name as he drives into me, I wake up because I have to pee. Damn you, troublesome tiny bladder!

Since I’m successfully NOT thinking about a certain earth-bound Jewish god, I have managed to be quite productive over the last week. While he was gone during the day at work, I was granted entrance to his suite at the family compound. I compiled easy to follow lists of good foods and lists in bright red ink of the bad foods that can compromise Arlo’s system. His little body is unable to break down specific amino acids that are often found in high protein foods. This buildup can cause lethargy, irritability, decreased appetite and lead to developmental delays and metabolic crises. It’s taxing on the body, and though Arlo is very big for his age, thanks to his dad, his body is still ill-equipped to handle it. The name of the disease, Maple Syrup Urine Disease comes from the tell-tale symptom of sweet-smelling urine, ear wax, and sweat. It can come on quite quickly, and a metabolic crisis can often turn deadly if not treated swiftly, as almost every organ system can be affected.

The good news is that it can be managed through strict diet, and vigilance. Constant monitoring can mean the difference between life and death. His immune system is sensitive, and, in some cases, a common cold can send him into a metabolic event. Arlo isn’t there yet, as his symptoms are less severe than others I’ve read about, but eventually, he may require a liver transplant, since the liver is where many of the enzymes that break down amino acids are created.

I can’t imagine having to sit by while my child suffered, waiting for someone else to die so they may live. My goal this week was to set Tev up with the tools he needed to make sure Arlo had a chance to thrive.

In addition to the dietary restrictions, I’ve left at-home urinary testing kits to quickly check Arlo’s metabolic levels. I was assured by Tev’s mom, Gertie, that Arlo is seeing the best specialists, receiving top notch care. Doing a bit of my own research, as I am not familiar with MSUD, I would have to agree with her. Money does not seem to be a problem when considering medical care for their loved ones. That is a rare situation, I know so many who would benefit from such freedom.

Considering the two families Esther set me up with for consultations this week, I guess Esther and Seril are looking to make it a more common occurrence. One family at a time.

And Bailey is wonderful to work with. Sweet, detail-oriented, and a chihuahua on the phone with recalcitrant suppliers. After my initial assessments, she didn’t bat an eye at my requests for equipment, and I’m excited to go back in a few days after everything arrives.

Our official offices in the Mishpocheh Consortium building are tastefully decorated, spacious, and inviting. It’s funny because both Bailey and I are unable to fully relax, waiting for the catch. Seems too good to be true, in all honesty. Didn’t help that my parents were concerned when I spoke to them last night. My mother did commend me for not being stupid enough to quit my job at the hospital just in case.

I poke my head into Bailey’s office and see her dopey smile aimed at her phone. “How’s Ernie?” I ask, startling her. She blushes but her smile grows so big thinking about her man. I’ve met him twice now, and he’s a very nice man, and so smitten with Bailey. It’s adorable how cute they are together.

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