Page 17 of Revived
“I’m his only aunt, so I’d better be his favorite.”
I laugh. “Only when you send gifts.”
“Ha! Hey, before you go, please make sure you check on Mom and Dad regularly, okay? I know you’re busy and Dad says he has everything handled, but I worry about them.”
“I know. We went over Saturday after I cleaned out the guestroom for Rachel, but Mom was heavily medicated, having just returned home that morning. Grayson wanted to hug her, but I had to keep him away, which he finally understood once he saw how tired and frail she looked. It freaked me out, Tenley—made it real that they’re getting older, you know?”
I can hear the emotion in her voice. “I know. I feel guilty for not seeing them more.”
“We’re all busy, Tenley. You have your own family now and you and Evan both work…”
“Wait. Did you say you cleaned out the guestroom for Rachel?” She interrupts me, making me freeze.
“Uh, yeah…”
“Mom didn’t say she moved in.”
“Well, I haven’t had the chance to really fill her in on everything. Like I said, she was pretty out of it when we went over there. When did you talk to her?” I press the button on my phone to disconnect the Bluetooth and prepare to exit my car.
“Yesterday. She seemed to be fairly coherent.”
I grab my bag and step out of my SUV into the frigid air, locking it behind me as I make my way towards my classroom. “I plan on going over there on my way home tonight.”
“So this girl is living with you?”
Unlocking the door, I shove the metal barricade open and step inside, relieved that the heater is blaring. “Yeah. She needed her own place anyway, and it just seems easier for now. That way she’s already there in the morning…”
“Wow. Are you okay with all of this, Luke? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say you’re probably freaking out on the inside.” And that is why my sister is one of my best friends, because she knows me better than anyone.
Because yes. I am freaking out at the idea of another woman living in my home, but I’m trying like hell to be alright with it. Honestly… because I don’t have another choice. I keep telling myself Hannah would understand—that she knows how hard it is for me. But then there are moments where I feel like something is going to set me off and I’m going to act like an ass, and I’m fighting that reaction with every extra ounce of energy I can muster.
“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time, Tenley. That’s all I can do.” Just as I finish that sentence, my first student arrives. “Hey, Ten. I gotta go. I’ll call you tonight.”
“Take a deep breath, Luke. Everything is going to work out the way it’s supposed to. Love you.”
“Love you too,” I say, ending the call, greeting my student by name, and then preparing myself mentally for my long day of classes.
By the time my day is done and I’ve stopped by my parents’ house to check on them both, it’s after six o'clock. Coming home knowing that Grayson and Rachel will be there waiting for me gives me a slightly unsettled feeling because this is quickly becoming my new normal—and I like it.
Walking through the door and being greeted by the sight of my son stirring something on the stove next to Rachel, both of their backs turned to me, I realize I made the right decision. He needs someone who loves him and will nurture him just as I believe his mother would have done. And even though the ache in my chest pulses with the reminder that she’s not here, I know she would approve of Rachel, based solely on how good she is with him.
“Daddy! You’re home!” Grayson shouts as he twists on the stool and flashes me those dimples. At least he got one thing from me.
“I am. It smells so good in here. What are you making?” I step further inside, shucking my coat and dropping my bag by the door before walking towards the kitchen.
“We made spaghetti sauce. Rachel doesn’t make it out of a jar like you do,” he admonishes, turning back to the stove and reaching again for the spoon. Rachel assists him while glancing at me over her shoulder, accompanied by a shrug.
“Well, excuse me,” I feign resentment, filling a glass with ice water and taking residence against the counter beside them, watching my son focus so intently on moving the spoon around.
“No offense. But you can’t grow up with the last name Zanetti and not know how to make homemade sauce.” She winks at me and then reaches for a large serving dish. The smell of garlic, roasted tomatoes, and fresh basil hits my nose, my stomach following with a deep growl.
“There’s a monster in your belly, Daddy. We need to feed him!” Grayson says as he lunges off of his stool into my arms. Luckily, I’m quick to react before he face-plants on the floor.
“Easy, buddy. No jumping like that, okay?”
“I just wanted a hug.” He looks up at me with those innocent eyes and that sweet demeanor that I know won’t last once he’s a teenager.
“Well, thank you, bud. I missed you today. And yes, I have a very large monster in my belly that needs food!” I growl before pretending to eat Grayson’s neck, tickling him as he squirms all over.