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“So, first, I think your uncle is going to come stay here this weekend.”
“SWEET. We’re due for another Call of Duty marathon.” I gape at him in shock at the idea of him playing something so mature. Rowan puts a hand over his eyes while shaking his head, so I’m guessing this has been an ongoing battle. “I mean…Mario Kart?” he corrects, innocently.
“So, he’ll be here Saturday after your game and he’s going to stay the night.”
“Okay, is that all?”
“Well, no…so I won’t be here and neither will Ellie,”he explains further.
“Oookay,” he says. “Where are you guys going? Dad, you got work? What about you, Elles?”
“So, that’s the thing, SJ. We are going somewhere,together.”
“Why?” he asks, and as smart as Sawyer is, I’m reminded of also just how young he is because he hasn’t put it together.
“Well because, Son, we’re…dating.”
“No way!” he says, his mouth agape. He looks at me for a second before turning to his dad. “Aren’t you kind of old for her?”
“Sawyer…” He glares at him but I see the humor lurking beneath his scowl.
“Listen, I’m cool with it. Does Margot know?” he asks, and I am not necessarily surprised based on the fact that he’s a boy and only ten years old but I am relieved that at least one of the three is taking it well.
“She does,” Rowan confirms.
“Oh, is that why she’s been in such a shi–crappymood?” He blanches.
“She’s just a little concerned about some things,” I explain and his eyes flit to mine.
He scratches the back of his head and looks at me “Like what?”
“She’s worried about how you and your sister would take it if…things didn’t work out,” I tell him. “Obviously, no one wants that.”
“Margot is always so worried about everything. We would be fine. Just like we’ve always been.” He picks up his comic book and it’s amazing how simple kids see the world at that age. So simple and yet, there’s so much truth to his words. Because after all the shitty days I’ve had in my twenty-five years, I made it through all of them. “I mean it would suck, because, Ellie, I would miss your cooking,” he corrects. “But I think it’s cool that you love each other or whatever.”
My cheeks heat at how easily that slipped out of him and Rowan seems to be just as flustered. “Right, well…ummm I’m glad to hear you’re okay with this.” Rowan clears his throat and I fight the urge to smile at how nervous he is. “We’re going to tell Isla tomorrow, so just don’t say anything for now.”
Sawyer opens his comic book again and gives us a thumbs up.
The next day Rowan is home early and since Margot is home as well—ararity for a Friday night—we are having dinner together. Even River is coming. I think his presence is supposed to lighten the mood, but I suspect it’s also because Rowan told him I had made pot roast which happens to be one of his favorite meals.
We’re sitting at the table in silence except for Isla who’s just chatting away, mostly to herself or whoever is listening.
“Uncle River, are you coming to my soccer game tomorrow, or are you coaching?” SJ asks.
“No, we don’t have a game tomorrow, so I’ll be there,” he says before taking a sip of his beer. “How many goals are you going to score?”
“Mmmm two,” SJ says with his mouth mostly full.
“Holding you to that.” River points at him. “Are you ready for tomorrow night?” SJ nods and gives a fist pump before River looks at Margot. “You have plans tomorrow night or are you going to be around?”
She tucks her hair behind her ear. “I’ll be here,” she answers, but her voice is despondent.
“Me too!” Isla cheers.
“Oh good, I figured you would be out at a dinner party or something. Cool,” he says to Isla holding his beer out to her and she lifts her glass to clink it. A giggle escapes me because he really is the best uncle.
Obviously, the sarcasm goes completely over her head though, and she shakes her head. “No.” Isla is sitting next to me, so she tilts her head to look at me. “Ellie, can we have a dinner party?”