Page 7 of Pinch

You sure I won’t be imposing?

Maverick

No way! Stay as long as you need. We’ve got a spare room and everything.

Gavin

Thanks, brother. You’re a lifesaver. See you tomorrow at the parade.

Maverick

Bring your stuff. You’ll come home with me.

I give him the thumbs up as my phone rings. I press the button at once, and my mom’s face appears on the screen.

“Did I catch you between flights or are you jumping on a plane?” Mom’s smile is big, and her bright blue eyes have faint laugh lines in the corners.

“Yes, and yes. I’m between flights, but I’m about to jump on a plane. Everything okay?”

My mom is tiny, petite and pale, with dark purple hair and ink on her shoulders. She was a tattoo artist when shemet my dad, a former national guardsman turned private eye.

They never married, but they’ve always stayed close.

“Elaine wanted me to call and see if you’re getting settled. I’ll tell her you haven’t gotten there yet.”

“She’s not still mad at me, is she?”

My stepmom let me know she’s not happy about this move.

“She’s just pouting. It was a lot easier to get to Atlanta from Wilmington than it will be to get to LA.”

I was really lucky to grow up with two sets of hyper-supportive “parents.” My dad got the biggest kick out of me telling my elementary school teachers I had two mommies when I was a little guy.

It makes disappointing any of them extra hard.

“It was a great deal, and I’m out here with Mav. Y’all love Mav.”

“You know she’s really worried you’re going to have her grandbabies out there. I’m a little worried about that myself.”

Her nose wrinkles, and I know she hates putting pressure on me.

“You know, you do have other children.”

“That’s part of Elaine’s problem.” Mom pokes out her lips as she nods. “Teenage boys are so quiet and broody. She should’ve had one more baby.”

“She teaches middle school.”

“It’s not the same.”

“Tell her to hang on. He’ll grow out of it and start talking again.”

That makes her laugh. “True. I’m not sure Sabrina will, though.”

I think about my half-sister, Mom and Slayde’s daughter.She’s petite like mom, pale with long straight dark hair. “She’ll come around. She’s a lot like you.”

“You’re a good big brother.” Her smile is warm. “I want to visit when you’re all settled.”

“Okay, and tell Elaine not to worry. I’m about as far from settling down as I can get.”