Page 60 of A Me and Him Thing
Ren’s father stares at me with furrowed eyebrows, then he nods. “Bree, I’m Jack. It’s a pleasure to meet you, young lady.”
Ren’s father is an older version of Ren. He’s graying at the temples, but he looks strong and fit for his age. Neither Jack nor Susan looks elderly. Far from it.
I’m not sure why my presence would stun his parents to this degree. They seem a little shocked, and I don’t understand why. Perhaps Ren doesn’t bring women home often.
Or they know aboutTHE REASON.
“Thank you.” I’m still full from earlier, but I guess I can take one for the team.
Ren kisses his mom on the cheek, then leans down to hug his father, patting him on the back.
I just fell a little more in love with him after witnessing his affection for his parents. So far, Ren is everything I imaginedhe’d be in a family setting. What does he want me to see? This is picture-perfect.
We all settle in our seats while Ren’s mom places waffles, bacon, scrambled eggs, and fruit salad on the table. I take very small servings of everything. I feel numb, like I’m not really here. I’m just a spectator, spying on Ren’s life.
“How was your week, kids? Good?”
“Yes,” they chorus in between mouthfuls.
“Loved seeing you at the restaurant on Wednesday night.” He turns to me. “Mom and Dad bring the kids to Exodus on Wednesday night. It gives me a chance to see them mid-week because I can’t wait for Friday. I stay the night out here on Friday nights. Then we can have Saturday morning together before I head back to the city.” He fist-bumps Ethan and Kate. “Watch cartoons and eat cereal. That’s the life.”
“Yeah, Dad. It’s the best.”
Kate just giggles.
Friday night? We don’t part until two or three in the morning. If he drives out here, gets up to watch cartoons with Ethan and Kate, he doesn’t get much sleep. Maybe two or three hours, tops.
I’m sensing a theme here. Wednesday night, dinner with kids at Exodus. Friday night, sleep over. Saturday morning, cartoons and cereal. Sunday, family day. His life is one big calendar with every single minute penciled in.
Crazy. I don’t know how he does it. He’s running on fumes.
Ren points to Kate. “Kate, tell me one good thing that happened this week.” He’s acting upbeat for his children when I know he feels anything but right now.
She sets down her fork, chewing thoughtfully. “Grandma bought me a new blouse at the store.”
“The one you wore Wednesday night?”
“Yes.” She smiles sweetly.
“You looked gorgeous, sweetheart. Like a princess.”
Kate blushes. “Thank you, Daddy.”
She’s a delicate creature, so adorable I just want to hug her.
“Ethan, your turn,” Ren says. “Tell me one good thing that happened this week.”
“We got to make rockets in science class. We’re launching them tomorrow to see whose goes the highest.”
“What? That is so cool. I never got to do anything like that in science class. I bet yours will be amazing.”
Ethan smiles proudly.
Ren is a builder. A builder of people. He lifts them up. Their hearts, their confidence, their happiness. He did the same for me. His kids are lucky to have him as their father.
I want him in my life. I want to be surrounded by his love every day.
I’m not sure why I can’t have it—or why he won’t give it. My chest aches at the thought. I want to smother him with love. Because…who lifts him up?
