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“I know, dear.” She is unrepentant. And I like it.

“My wife is the youngest of 4 kids. She is a master at keeping people ‘humble’,” Dennis says with a laugh, his eyes locked on his wife.

“Lyndell is still at work.” I glance at my watch. “I was just coming to get Edee so we can pick him up and head to dinner. Would you care to join us?”

“Thank you, we’d love to. But how about we take you all out to somewhere off campus that isn’t part of a food plan.”

My stomach growls, that nervous energy coming back at the thought of off-campus food. Edee chuckles, presses a kiss to my chest just over my heart through my t-shirt, then stands up and faces her parents.

“The least you can do for arriving unannounced is dinner. 4-star rating or above only.”

Over an hour later, Lyndell is sitting with us at an upscale Italian restaurant miles away from campus. Edee is pouting beside her father, glaring at her mom who sits between Lyndell and me. She’s been attentive since we left the dorm room. When she met Lyndell, the two started discussing stain removal techniques and they’ve barely taken a breath since. Even as she talks to Lyndell, she mothers me. Checking in to make sure I have everything I need, like I’m not 23-years-old…and I’m loving every minute of it.

“She has you. He’s mine.” I peek over at Edee as she whispers very loudly to her father. Dennis grins at his daughter.

“And you’ll have him back again soon. You’re dating Ty—” Edee’s head whips around so fast, I’m surprised it’s still upright. She’s gonna break her neck doing shit like that.

“I don’t care about Ty, she’s bogartingmyLyndell!” Dennis laughs so loudly the entire dining room turns our way. I paythem no mind; I’m too busy scowling at my traitorous girlfriend. The audacity! She can whip, whip all she wants. She can nae-nae too, for all I care. Edee finally meets my eyes and a little crease forms between hers. “What?”

“What?What?!? You don’t care about Ty? I’m Ty!” She waves her hand above the table.

“You know what I mean.”

“No, I don’t.”

Edee’s body jerks and she reaches below the table as she glares at her father. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply—”

“There was no ‘implying’—”

“Ty?” Her voice is so sweet, her expression remorseful. Mmhm. “I’m sorry.” She reaches across the table, dropping her hand palm up in the center. I don’t hesitate to cover it with mine.

“I accept your apology,” I announce magnanimously, much to everyone’s amusement. “You can make it up to me later,” I add with a salacious wink. Edee’s cheeks pinken at my innuendo.

“I like you, son. Let’s try to keep it that way.”

“Mama Mary?” Lyndell started calling her that as soon as they met and Mary smiles every time he says it. “Can I stay at the hotel with you and Papa Pennis?”

“I don’t like Papa Pennis.”

Lyndell looks Dennis in the eye. “I’m not calling you Daddy Dennis.”

“Papa Pennis it is.”

Lyndell dips his chin curtly, then turns back to Mary. “Can I? They make too much noise with their popsicle eating contests. AND they have a secret freezer in Ty’s room because I can never find them in the kitchen.”

“What are you talking about, Lyn?” I ask before I can stop myself. I know better than to ask questions I don’t want to know the answer to. I should have asked him in private.

“‘Suck it harder.’ ‘Lick it good.’ ‘That’s the spot, Ty.’I had a long day, a pipe burst in the kitchen of one of the dining halls and we had a lot of towels to launder. I want a good night’s sleep.”

My throat is so tight, I can barely breathe, let alone speak. I lift the tablecloth and peer down at Edee, who slowly slithered down her seat to the floor with every word out of my brother’s mouth. She looks up at me and I don’t know whether to laugh or cry at her expression. Such despair. Her eyes pleading with me to help her, but I don’t know how.

“Lyn, honey, we’ll come pick you up bright and early and take you to breakfast. I have a feeling your brother and Edee will not be making any noise tonight. And I bet they are both very,verysorry for keeping you awake. In fact, I’m sure Ty will be happy to buy you your very own box of popsicles.”

Edee 10.

I can’t stop smiling. My face literally hurts from it. Mom and dad have been here for several days, though they are leaving tomorrow morning. I love them, not because I’m supposed to but because they are genuinely great people and amazing parents. I’ve always known I was lucky to have them in my corner.

Yet, to see them with Lyndell and Tyrone…I’m considering nominating them for sainthood. I’ve been looking for an online form to submit on their behalf. The difference in Ty and Lyn is astounding and saddening at the same time. The two of them are starved for parental approval and affection, desperate to be loved and cherished for who they are, not what they can provide for someone else. They have never felt enough on their own. Tyrone is a strong, capable, intelligent man. And the way he looks at my mom with hearts in his eyes makes me swell with pride. I can give him something he needs but would never ask for.

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