𝔼𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕘𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕟

Chapter 34 : Son-in-law

The kitchen is filled with loud greetings and comments about how everyone has grown so much.

I watch fondly as Rosa strokes Mason's cheek like it is made of glass.

"My boy, how do you feel ?"

"Better, Rosy. Much better," Mason smiles, and Rosa simply nods before going back to her food.

Conversation goes from work and plans to Ivy's new haircut.

"It looks beautiful, darling," Charles comments, and Ivy smiles, "Thanks. Alex is the one who convinced me to go through with it."

Everyone cheers, but I catch Charles eyeing me suspiciously.

We move on to Mason and what happened to him. He gives an update on how the police have yet to find the men who did this but are still investigating.

Psycho Alex wishes he could find them before the police do.

"That is terrible, simply awful, dear. I am so incredibly sorry," Rosa shakes her head as she holds Mason's hand.

Mason shrugs with a smile, "it's alright. I did my part, and I've learned from this. Now I'm more careful."

Ivy and Tyler smile proudly at their friend, and so do Charles and Rosa.

I find it refreshing to meet religious people who are so okay with Mason's sexuality.

I remember Tyler explaining to me once that Charles and Rosa had to deal with young people who were like Mason, confused about who they liked, but the couple was always supportive and believed God was the only one who could judge a person's heart, and that surely, if you were a good person, who you like shouldn't matter.

And God knows how good Mason's heart is.

When I find everyone's plates empty, I stand to clear the table and find Kin and Dex disappearing through the kitchen door as I start the dishes.

I see Rosa leave the room with Tyler when I'm done putting everything away, and I am left with Ivy and Charles at the table.

They are in the middle of a conversation when I join them, and before I can understand what it is about, the guys come in with balloons and Rosa following behind with a giant cake in her hands.

Ivy's eyes are teary and glowing from the candlelight.

Everyone is singing, and she's trying so hard to hide her face from all the pictures Charles is taking.

I wish I could do something, anything really, to ensure that she stays this happy, always.

Then Ivy looks at me, and for a fleeting moment, she looks sad.

Ivy closes her eyes as she blows out her candles, and everybody cheers.

"I'm getting plates and spoons," Kinwo says, and Ivy raises a hand, "fork for me, please."

"Oh Lord," Charles shakes his head, and Ivy pouts.

"Do not look at me with that face, young lady. You're not even trying."

Tyler laughs, and Mason looks confused.

"What is this about?"

Tyler flicks Ivy's arm,"this one has a bad habit of eating literally everything with a fork. The only exception is soupe."

"Huh," Mason frowns, "I've never really noticed."

Rosa pulls a chair and sits next to Ivy with a teasing smile.

"We tried to break the habit, but unfortunately, it was either forcing a spoon in her mouth or letting her starve."

Ivy takes the fork from Kinwo, "Food is just better with forks, sorry, but it is a fact."