He started the jeep with a smile. Before putting it into gear, he leaned over and took her mouth in a kiss that left them both breathless. “What would I do without you and your logical mind?” It was hard to believe he once thought she was an airhead. The more time he spent with her, the more he realized she was anything but stupid.
She smacked him lightly on the shoulder. “You’d be lost, of course. Now, let’s go open this letter and then we can celebrate the official news of your new family.”
The idea was excellent. He could think of several ways to celebrate with Honey, and none of them involved his family. His girl was something else. Whistling softly, he put the jeep in gear and pulled out of the parking lot.
* * *
“You ready?”Honey asked as Ira parked in front of the Flint’s large, buttercream yellow home. His unease seemed to have fled after realizing how much he looked like Robert.
“Ready as I’ll ever be, thanks to you.” Gratitude rang in his voice. The tension had fled from his shoulders and his hands now rested lightly on the steering wheel; white knuckles gone.
“Then, let’s do this.”
She leapt out of the truck and hurried around to open Ira’s door and yank him out before he changed his mind. Slinging her arm around his waist she urged him forward.
“No need to stress out. There’s not a rush, you know.”
“Yes, there is. Get it done. Let the celebration begin.” She winked at him and giggled at his startled look.
Robert answered when they knocked on the back door. “Son, how many times have I told you this is your home? You don’t need to knock.”
Sue bustled up to them. “Honey, nice to see you. You’re in luck. I just finished icing a maple chocolate cake and there’s fresh coffee.”
“That sounds delicious.” Honey slipped out of her shoes; her feet glad for the freedom after a busy six-hour shift.
“I’d love a slice,” Ira said.
“I hear a but,” Sue said. Pausing half way to the coffee pot.
“Can we sit and talk for a minute?” Ira asked as he toed off the cowboy boots he’d been wearing lately. He had confided to Honey on the way out that they were more comfortable than he expected. Everyone settled at the table. “I’m, we’re, here because I got the results back from the lab.”
“And, you’re my son,” Robert declared as if Ira’s parentage had never been in doubt.
“Oh, of course he is.” Sue reached over to pat Ira’s arm.
“And I haven’t opened them. Yet.”
Honey pulled the envelope from her purse and set it on the table between Robert and Ira. She was grateful that nobody commented on the state of the envelope which revealed the truth of Ira’s reluctance to open it.
“Why is the world not?” Sue and Robert asked in unison.
“I wanted to do it here. With my family.” The hope in his voice mingled with a question.
He was so vulnerable and uncertain, but trying to be strong. He wanted to be the man the army had trained him to be.
Why did men think emotions were best hidden? Honey wondered. Sure, stoicism had its place. But not here, and not now. She reached under the table and squeezed Ira’s leg reassuringly and nudged him with her knee.
“I’d like you to open it please.” Ira slid the letter toward Robert.
“I’d sooner burn the damned thing.”
“Ira, dear.” Sue said. “We don’t need a letter to tell us you are our child and no matter what is revealed in this envelope, you are welcome in our home. As our child.”
Ira swallowed audibly. “Thank you.”
Honey sensed his nervousness rising again. She’d never been in a situation like this, but the tension must be draining on everyone involved. It was even getting to her and she was just an interested bystander.
“You’ll always be my son. You’ve been mine since I learned you existed. I was wrong to keep out of your life. Can you forgive me?”