Page 137 of As the Years Pass

Adam scoffs, so I lean in to kiss his cheek.

The door to the house opens as the kids come barrelling out in their bathing suits. Ian already has his lifejacket on—and somehow his backpack too. My father chuckles, shaking his head as he watches them run for us.

“Someone is prepared,” I say.

Dad shrugs. “I tried getting him to wait, but he wouldn’t have it.”

“Yeah, he’s a stubborn one,” Adam says as he watches the kids hop onto the back of the golf cart.

“Wonder where he gets there from,” I mutter.

Adam elbows me, so I shove him.

“Come on, Grandpa!” Ian shouts, patting the seat. The look in my father’s eyes almost has me in tears.

We didn’t tell the kids they had to call him Grandpa, and it’s the first time they met him. But once Judy put two and two together, she started it and Ian jumped right on board. The first time, my father was speechless. I could tell he was fighting tears. This is something my mother missed out on, but maybe she’s up there watching.

“I’m old!” my father says with a laugh, taking slow steps to the back of the golf cart before climbing on.

“Okay, everyone. Hold on!” I say before backing up. Then we make our way through the community, to the main building where the pool is.

It’s a hot day today, and Adam and I just took a little ride to check out the place. We drove by the park, and of course it was packed. There were some other kids there, though. This is a sixty-five and up community, but a lot of people here have families who visit often, especially during the summer when the kids are out of school.

When the pool is ahead of us, Adam turns toward the back.

“You both better listen and be safe.”

“We will!” they both say.

I pull into the lot and find a spot to park. The kids hop off, and Adam helps my father down while I take Ian’s hand. He’s buzzing with energy, basically salivating as he looks at the pool. But he’s patient as we get into the gate, find a table to put our things down on, and get sunscreen on them. My father loungesin the sun, while Adam and I sit at the table. The kids head over the stairs to get in. We all have our bathing suits, and I’ll go in soon, but I do want to soak up some sun. I miss it sometimes, but I’d give up just about anything to be with Adam. So, it’s worth it. I have him, and I have a family.

“Hello, Arnold.” I glance over to find a woman about my father’s age. She’s in a one=piece black bathing suit with a big hat that barely hides her short red hair.

“Oh, hello, Helen. How are you?” My father sits up, and reaches over to pull a chair closer. The woman sits beside him.

“Just enjoying the sun with the family.” She points at a table with four boys.

“Ah, yes. I remember you telling me about this. Annual son vacation, right?”

“That’s right,” she says with a little laugh. “And these are your boys?”

“Oh, how rude of me.” I laugh to myself. “Yes, this is Emmet and his boyfriend, Adam. Their kids are in the pool already.”

“It’s nice to meet you, boys,” she says.

“Likewise,” we say.

I look over at Adam, who is grinning. This woman clearly has the hots for my dad. I can’t tell if he’s interested of not, but if so… good for him. My mom would want him to be happy. That’s all she ever cared about—wanting those she loved to be happy and cared for.

“Daddy, look! Look what I can do!” Judy shouts from the edge of the pool.

We both watch as she kicks off the edge of the pool and falls backwards, going under.

Kids…

“Wow, good job, sweetheart.”

Adam gets up and pulls his shirt off. I lean back, licking my lips as I take him in. He looks at me with a smirk.