Page 47 of Love Notes and Late Nights
Instead of going back to his place, he found himself in front of the only home he’d ever known, and all the heartache that had cracked his chest in half a little while ago vanished. Love, acceptance, inclusion, and togetherness filled him to his core, and everything felt right. This was his happy place. He should have called Ethan, but the visit was unplanned.
He pulled into the driveway, and before he even got out of the car, the front door to the house swung open, and Ethan’s mom came running toward him. Her arms were stretched wide open, and her smile was brighter than the sun.
Wolf returned the smile and quickly jumped out of the car. He found himself engulfed in a mother’s hug, and it filled him with so much joy that he couldn’t contain his smile. “Hi, Mom.” He usually called her Joanna, but on occasions like this, “Mom” just fit, and she loved it just as much as he did.
“It’s so good to see you! I told Ethan you’d better stop by and see me before you boys go back on tour.”
As if he would leave and not see her again for another few months.
She stepped back, took his hands, and looked him up and down as if she were making sure he was OK. “You look good.” Her brows drew together. “But you look tired. Are you sleeping OK?”
He didn’t want to burden her, but he could never lie to her. “Not really.”
She pressed her lips together. “The nightmares? I thought they finally stopped.”
“They never stop. They go away. But they always come back.”
“Come inside and let’s have coffee and cake.” She placed her arm over his shoulder, even though he was several inches taller than her, and led him toward the front door.
The home welcomed him with love and acceptance, the same way it always did. The place had undertaken a huge renovation and an extension over the years, thanks to Ethan’s generosity, but everything about it still represented family. New furniture and upgrades didn’t take away the memories encased in its walls.
“Rick, we have company!” Joanna called toward the open sliders.
“Be right in,” Ethan’s dad called back. He was the father figure every boy hoped for in their life.
“How are you?” Joanna cupped his cheek in her hand and studied his face. “I’m worried the tour is too much for you if you’re not getting the right amount of rest.”
This woman showed him more love and concern in five minutes than his mother had in the 15 years he lived with his parents. “I’m OK. I’m always OK.”
“You’re the strongest person I know. Even as a kid. You never cared what anyone thought or had to say. You were always your authentic self.”
“That’s the only person I know how to be.”
“You’ve made us very proud. Ethan as well. I was blessed with two sons. One by birth. One by choice.”
An unexpected lump lodged itself in Wolf’s throat, and he tried to swallow it down. He loved hearing the things she said to him. She always knew how to chase away the blues.
“Look at this hair.” She tugged on the ends. “It’s longer than ever. Ethan finally cut his hair. How about you?”
He smiled broadly and shook his head. “Not happening.”
“It is beautiful.” She pushed it behind his ears. “But it hides your handsome face. Now sit. I’ll get the coffee and snacks.”
As he settled into one of the chairs in the kitchen, he heard heavy footsteps from the other room and then a booming voice.
“Wolf. What a nice surprise!” Rick practically yanked Wolf out of the chair and gave him a suffocating bear hug. “So good to see you.” Several hearty slaps on the back followed, accompanied by one on the shoulder, and they both sat down at the table.
Joanna set down a platter of cookies, and Rick immediately grabbed one. “Those are for Wolf,” she scolded.
“None for me? Your loving husband?”
She rolled her eyes and went back to the kitchen before returning with three cups of coffee on a tray and placed one in front of each of them. Wolf sipped his. It was just the way he liked it, and by the expression on Rick’s face, so was his. Most people just served it black and brought out the milk and sugar. Not Ethan’s mom. She knew exactly how everyone loved their coffee, and she loved serving it to them that way.
“Ethan and Tyler were here yesterday,” Rick said. “When are you going to settle down?”
Wolf hoped that’s where things with Harris were headed, but it was a little too soon to assume everything would work out. It was still too new. “I don’t know. I’d like to.”
“Don’t rush the guy, Rick.” Joanna patted Wolf on the arm. “When it’s right, you’ll know it. Don’t settle. Find the person that makes your whole heart full.”
