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Bo watched the emotions, some good, some bad, flash across Matthew’s face but also noticed, even in the limited light, how tired he looked. “Can I make a suggestion?”
Matthew nodded.
“It’s the middle of the night and a little cold out here. Why don’t I take you back to the house, and then tomorrow I’ll come by and we can talk. When we’ve both rested.”
Instead of answering, Matthew stood and started making his way back toward the bank, briefly looking back to see if Bo was following. After a few minutes, Matthew stopped and waited the few steps Bo was behind. “I would rather talk in the morning, you know, like you suggested, but can I ask a few quick questions, just so I can see if this is straight in my head?”
“Of course, go ahead.”
“Red is my mom.”
“Right.”
“And you and her used to be married.”
“You and she, but yes.”
Matthew rolled his eyes at the grammar correction but continued.
“But you didn’t know you had a son?”
“I found out when you told me, but I confirmed it with your mother a few hours ago.”
“And does knowing that freak you out, make you happy, make you angry, or what?”
Bo stopped Matthew then, just before they headed up the few steps tot he porch of the house. “The first two. I’m surprised, incredibly surprised and still processing this just like you are. But you need to know that I loved your mother more than any person on this earth and still do. I don’t know what will happen with all of this, but I could not be happier that it has happened. Got it?”
Matthew smiled then, though Bo could see how exhausted he was, probably both physically and mentally. “I got it. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Good night, Matthew.”
Bo watched him head indoors, and once the door closed, he turned back to walk toward the camp.
“Hey handsome, you going somewhere?”
He turned to find Nora on the top porch step, still in her pajamas and wrapped in a big quilt.
“Red!” Bo raced back to the porch and picked Nora up and twirled her around.
“Bo! Is everything okay? Matthew wouldn’t say anything.” He hugged her tightly until he felt her wrap the quilt around him.
She laughed, “Bo! What are you doing?”
He swirled her up in his arms and carried her up the step
When he stopped and put her back down he pulled her toward him. His lips covered hers and she clung to him in response. While their earlier kiss in her bedroom had been hesitant and quick, this one was full of passion and excitement. He pulled back and rested his forehead on hers. “He’s okay. He’s a little confused, but I don’t think he’s upset that I’m his dad.”
“I think he’s the luckiest kid in the world.”
I don’t know about that, but I want to try. I want to be the father he deserves.”
“I feel like I’m dreaming Bo. Am I going to wake up and this all be some fantasy?”
“I feel the same way.” He leaned forward and kissed her again, not failing to miss that she was holding him as tightly as he was holding her. Without warning, he lifted her up, blanket and all and carried her up the porch and then down with him into the large swing glider that sat on the porch. He pulled the quilt back around her shoulders enveloping them both in its warmth. They kissed softly for a while, but eventually they both drifted off to sleep wrapped in each other's arms.
********************
The next morning, Bo slipped into the house and cleaned up a little while Nora made coffee. His parents were both sitting at the kitchen island when Matthew came downstairs.
“Good morning.” Matthew said warily, “This is weird.”
“We all have to get used to it, son, it’s not just you.”
Nora nodded before taking a sip of her coffee, but couldn’t remember a time she’d been happier.
“Are you about ready to go?,” Bo asked Matthew. “I thought I would combine our conversation this morning with a driving lesson.”
Nora nearly spewed out her coffee and then almost choked trying to recover. “A driving lesson?!”
“Don’t worry, Red. Just a golf cart, ok?” he whispered in her ear and then gave her a soft kiss on her cheek.
She smiled gratefully, relieved his idea was reasonable.
“Is that okay, Mom? That would be the coolest!”
“Sure, Bo will keep you safe, but you need to listen to what he tells you, do you understand?”
“I will, I promise!! I’m going to get dressed, don’t leave without me!” Matthew yelled as he darted up the stairs, leaving his parents to laugh at his enthusiasm.
“You sure you’re okay with this?”
“Of course, you’re familiar with the area and I know you won’t let anything happen to him.” She leaned forward for a kiss which Bo instantly deepened.
After a few minutes, they heard a door slam upstairs then the hammer of legs quickly coming down the stairs which caused them to jump apart.
“I’m ready!” Matthew yelled.
Once he reached the bottom of the stairs, he looked at his Mom with a funny expression. “Mom, are you okay? You look kind of dreamy and spaced out.”
Bo laughed, “C’mon kid, your mom’s just tired. Let’s get out of here so she can go back to bed.”
Once Matthew was out of earshot, he said, “We’ll be back in a little bit, go get some rest. And this may be more than you’re ready to hear, but I love you Red. I don’t want there to be any confusion on that.”
“I love you too, Bo. Go get to know your son some more, we’ll talk soon.”
********************
Matthew had raced ahead and was already sitting in the golf cart once Bo joined him. The kid was excited, which was not surprising, but Bo remained calm and coached him through the whole process.
“So, if we were in a real car, what would be the first thing you do?”
“Turn on the music?”
“Try again.”
“I’m just kidding. Put on your seat belt.”
“Right, but we don’t have any on this one and won’t be going all that fast, so we’ll have to skip over that this time. What’s next?”
“Ummm, look around you?”
“Not so far off actually, you need to check your mirrors. In a car you’d have a rear view mirror and side mirrors. Make sure the mirrors are angled so you can see the road behind and to the side of you.”
“But no mirrors on this cart, so what’s next?”
“You’re almost ready, but let’s talk about the gears. In most cars, the car is in park when you start the car and then you move it to either drive or reverse. In this golf cart, it’s kind of the same thing. The cart has it’s brake on before you start and then you’ll flip this switch to either F for forward or R for reverse. Do you think you’re ready?”
“Yep, I got this!”
Bo laughed, “Okay, let’s give it a try, but slow.”
Matthew followed the instructions and soon the pair were on their way. Before too long, Matthew felt comfortable enough to start their talk. “So, you still okay with being my dad?”
“Definitely! I like the idea the more and more I get used to it.”
“I think you’d make a pretty good dad, actually,” Matthew said quietly. “There’s just one thing though.”
“What’s that?”
“We live in Chicago, but you live here. It’s going to be hard to get to know you and see you when we live several states away.
To be continued…
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