Page 56 of Inside Out

“I have started seeing Rome.”

“All of him or just parts of him?”

“Mom!”

“Okay, that was a bit of an overstep. I apologize.” She knew I’d had dinner at his house Saturday night, but she had no idea we’d been together every night since then. That was more information than I wanted to share with her right then.

“Just know that I’m really happy.”

“I know you are, baby. I can hear it in your voice. You have no idea how happy it makes me.” It sounded like she was about to start crying which would make me cry too, and that was the last thing I wanted for either one of us. “I can’t wait to meet him.”

“What makes you think we’ve reached that level yet?”

“Julius, are you really going to play me like I’m dumb? Hasn’t that failed every time you ever tried to attempt it? You’re a horrible sneak and liar. You know I’m right.”

“True.”

“About which part?”

“You’re right about everything, Mom.”

“Mmm-hmm. I know I am. Marcus FaceTimed me last night, and I got to meet Camilla and Manny. Aren’t they beautiful, Julius?”

“They are,” I agreed. “I’ve never seen Marcus this happy.”

“I thought I had, but I realize now he was only content before he met Camilla. I know I should be worried that he’s too young, but your father and I weren’t much older when we started a family, and we turned out okay. If I’m real honest, things have come easily to Marcus up to this point in his life. His athleticism opened doors that made it easy for him to walk through. I’m not saying he hasn’t worked his ass off on the football field and in the classroom, but it won’t be anything like juggling family, work, and law school.”

“We might be putting the cart before the horse.” Mom snorted. “Yeah, probably not.”

“I cannot wait to see my boys and meet the people who’ve stolen their hearts.” I wanted to argue that my heart was still firmly in my chest, but the words wouldn’t come.

“Will you be able to make a trip before Thanksgiving?”

“I hope so, but we’re short-staffed at the hospital right now. I’ll let you know if I can get away sooner.”

“I’ll cross my fingers, but I won’t hold my breath.” My mom had taken an administrative nursing job which came with a sizable raise. I wasn’t sure the extra money was worth the additional headaches. My mom was a nurturer and caregiver not a pencil pusher and number cruncher.

We got caught up on all the other things going on in each other’s lives, and I lost track of time. I was shocked when I saw the credits on the show start scrolling signaling the hour-long show was over.

“Mom, I have to go. I need to be at Rome’s house for dinner in half an hour.”

“Call me tomorrow night and let me know how the board meeting goes.”

“I will. Love you, Mom.”

“Love you too, Julius.”

After we hung up, I switched my clothes from the washer to the dryer, took a shower, then carefully chose my outfit for the evening. Rome would expect me to wear a T-shirt and sweats or a pair of shorts, but that isn’t the kind of attire a strict teacher would wear. If Rome wanted bad teacher, that is what he’d get.