Page 41 of Family Forever
“You know, if memory serves me, your mother was a freshman in college when she met your father who at the time was a senior. They fell in love and married the summer your dad graduated from college, which fell between her freshman and sophomore year. Hmm, then she had you in September of her senior year. I guess one could say she had it all. Marriage, family, and a college education.” She paused and took a sip of her wine. “I, myself, was only twenty when I met your Uncle Bob, and I knew from the first moment I laid eyes on him he was my soul mate. We married when I was twenty-three and that was twenty-one years ago.”
Though his aunt hadn’t told him anything new just now, he had never really put that much thought into how young his parents were when they married and started their family. “I guess I hadn’t really thought about how young you all were when you married.”
“We sure were, and sometimes it seems like just yesterday and other times I realize just how long ago it was. I’m really reminded when I look at you and Cole. Your parents raised some fine young men.”
His eyes watered as he drained his beer bottle and glanced back at the kind woman sitting across from him. “And then there’s the time issue.”
“What do you mean?”
“I just don’t know if I can carve out enough time to give anyone right now. The timeshedeserves in a relationship.”
“Ah, another reason not to take a chance,” she commented with a slight nod of her head before the soft, reassuring smile she often flashed him, consumed her face. “I know you, and I’m sure once you decide you’re in, you’ll find the time. You always seem to manage. And you know, my dear nephew, it’s okay for you to want, and allow yourself some of the pleasures of life. Your existence is not solely to cater to your brothers.” She rose from her chair. “I guess I’ll let you get some sleep since you have to get up early to go hunting. Bob and I, and the girls are going to visit Grandpa in the morning, then we’ll come back, pack up, and get out of your hair.”
“You’re welcome here anytime, I know you know that. We’ll come in after the morning hunt and see you off.”
His aunt rose from her chair, and he stood in response as she stepped toward him and placed her warm hand on his cheek. Her motherly touch catapulted him into a sea of painstaking warm memories of his own mother. God, how he missed her. He’d give anything for just one more touch from his mother. No, he’d give anything for his brothers to feel just one more touch of their mother’s loving hand, one more chance at hearing her soft voice tell them she loved them. His brothers deserved that, she was taken from them way too early and it wasn’t fair.
By the time Dylan refocused on his aunt, her eyes swam with tears.
“You’re just like your father: kind, loyal, and loving. When you’re ready to open your heart, the woman you let in will be one heck of a lucky woman.” She kissed him on the cheek, and embraced him tightly, reassuringly. How did she always seem to know what he needed?
