Page 6 of Perfect Enough
Putting my phone away with a sigh, I found myself helping to set the table, then we all fell into conversations as we ate. One of my favorite things to do was enjoy dinner with my family. We didn’t manage it as often as I knew my mother would like, but we tried to get together about twice a month.
“Before we start clearing the table, Bryson and I want to share some news with you guys.”
My mother set down her fork. “What is it?”
Bryson reached for Rose’s hand and they looked at each other as if no one else was in the room. I felt a small pang of jealousy and immediately tried to brush it away.
Looking back at us, Rose said, “You should all mark your calendars for April twenty-first.”
My mother quickly stood. “What?”
Dad blinked a few times, then stood and pulled Bryson up, giving him a bear hug. “This is wonderful news!”
I waited for my parents to stop hugging and kissing Rose and Bryson before I approached my sister and hugged her. “Congratulations, Rose. I’m so happy for all three of you.”
She hugged me tighter. “Thank you, Josh.”
I reached a hand out to shake Bryson’s. He took it, pulling me in for a hug, and we laughed. “Congratulations, Bry.”
After everyone settled down, Mom asked, “Will you find out if it’s a boy or a girl?”
Rose shook her head. “We want to be surprised. You’re the first we’ve told. We plan on telling Bryson’s parents next weekend.”
Clutching a hand to her chest, my mother sniffled. “We’re honored.”
“This calls for a celebration!” Dad said as he took Greg out of his high chair and tossed him into the air.
“Cows!” Greg shouted, as Rose and Bryson both laughed.
“You kids enjoy some peace and quiet while I take my grandson to the barn.”
Rose looked relieved, but she smiled and kissed her son. “Have fun with Granddad!”
“Josh will help me clean up. Why don’t you two sit on the porch and enjoy this beautiful evening? Before you know it, the cold weather will be settling in, and we won’t have the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors without freezing.”
“Are you sure?” Rose asked.
I motioned for them both to get. “Go, have some alone time. I can help Mom.”
Rose kissed me on the cheek. “You did grow up to be an amazing man.”
My sister and I had always been close. Even with a seven-year difference in our ages, we were tight. I told my sister everything, and she did the same. Sometimes, toomuchof everything…like how she’d gotten hemorrhoids during her pregnancy. That bit of information, I could’ve done without.
After helping my mother clean the kitchen, I poured her a glass of wine and one for me, and we sat at the island.
“How’s life been treating you, son?” she asked.
“Good. I talked to Cap yesterday, and he told me the city council might be hiring a few full-time firefighters, and that my name had been tossed around.”
Her eyes went wide. “That’s amazing. It would be a paid position, then?”
“Yeah, benefits and all of that good stuff.”
“This is wonderful, Josh!”
Smiling, I added, “They might even promote me to lieutenant eventually.”
She gasped, looking shocked. “But don’t you have to be with the department for several years to make that?”