Page 63 of The Heavier The Chains…
My mother wouldkillme if she knew.
I was pouring the pancake batter into a fresh-seal container when my mom asked, “How do you feel about that?”
I knew what she was asking. “I hate it,” I laughed. I shook my head. “I absolutely hate it, Mom.”
I heard her sigh. “I thought that might be the case,” she muttered.
I turned to face her, and crossing my arms over my chest, I cocked my head at her. “Do you blame me?”
She shook her head. “No, Talon, I don’t,” she replied. “You’re used to…being the man of the house. I can’t imagine how difficult it is to…adjust to being with someone who…”
I leaned forward. “Doesn’t need me?” I supplied.
“Who doesn’t need anyonemonetarily,” she corrected. “But I’m sure that girl needs you, Talon. If she loves you, she needs you.”
I dropped my hands and gripped the counter behind me. “I know that, Mom,” I told her, because I knew that now. “I know that, but…I’ve spent all my life helping you and doing my best to provide a future for Edie. I don’t know how to…just step back and…having nothing I do matter or make a difference.”
“Oh, Talon,” she whispered. She stood up and walked over to me, and it still amazed me that this little sprite was a grown woman.
“I’m going to work my ass off every day in whatever job comes my way, and when that check comes, it’s not going to matter, Mom,” I said, trying to explain how emasculated Kenzlee’s money made me feel. “It’s not going to provide for anybody. It’s going to be…my fuckinghobby.”
“Talon, you’re not your father,” she said, echoing Edie’s statement. “You’ve already gone above and beyond in your life proving that you are what a real man is supposed to be. You need to quit being scared that you’re going to turn out like Hawkley, because, my beautiful boy, you are not.” There were tears in her eyes and it gutted me to see them. “And even if Kenzlee does go on to get a degree with her millions and make a ton more money than you do, it’s not money she needs from you. Money is not what any woman needs from a man. Kenzlee needs from you what she can’t buy with all that money she has. She needs you to love her and protect her, and that’s all, Talon. And, baby boy, you love and protect the women you love better than anyone I know. That, I can guarantee.”
“I agree.” My mom and I both jerked our heads towards Kenzlee’s voice. She was standing on the threshold between the living room and the kitchen, and it was obvious she was close enough to hear everything.
My mother smiled in her direction. “Kenzlee, honey, it’s good to see you,” she said sweetly.
“Good morning, Mrs. Draven,” Kenzlee replied, grinning. “We keep meeting this way.”
“With you coming out of my son’s bedroom?” Kenzlee’s face flushed, and Mom laughed. “Yes, it seems we do.” She patted my chest and told Kenzlee, “I was just asking Talon if you were going to move in with us.”
Kenzlee really got embarrassed over that. “Uh…”
Mom laughed. “I’m just teasing you, honey.”
“You hungry?” I asked.
She nodded. “A bit. I have…I have to get going after I eat though. Uncle Allen called and said my mother is demanding to speak with me.”
I gave her a tight nod. “Sit,” I ordered, then looked over at Mom. “You, too.”
They sat, and I made breakfast, and everyone ate, laughed, and pretended that Kenzlee hadn’t walked in on a very serious conversation between me and Mom.
It wasn’t until Mom got up to go run errands she’s unable to during the week, that Kenzlee brought up the conversation she walked in on. “Your mother was right, you know,” she said as she stood next to me helping me wash the dishes. “I don’t care about the money, Talon. I’d rather be poor with you than rich without you.”
I turned towards her, grabbed her by her waist, and pulled to me-wet hands and all. “Kenzlee, my insecurities are my problem,” I told her honestly. “Do whatever you want to with your money, baby. I just want you to be happy.”
Kenzlee wrapped her wet hands around my neck and asked, “Do you promise?”
Everyone was right about Kenzlee’s money; Edie, my mom, Lars…they were all right. Kenzlee’s never acted like a snob or like she couldn’t survive without all the luxuries she’s used to. This was my issue, and my issue alone. “I promise, baby,” I reassured her. “I’ll…figure it out.”
She eyed me and looked for a reaction as she tested me out. “I want to buy a car first,” she said. “I’m going to need a car once I graduate, for sure.” I nodded but said nothing. “And, then…as a thank you, I want to pay my uncle and aunt’s house off for them.” My brows shot up but, still, I said nothing. “They already have Alexandria’s college figured out, so…but that’s what I want to do first.”
I wisely kept my mouth shut, and just leaned down and placed a kiss on her cheek. “Let’s finish the dishes so I can drive you home, babe. The sooner you call your mother, the sooner I can see you again.”
She took the hint, and the rest of the morning we steered away from the topic of money.
∞∞∞
