Sitting down at breakfast was unlike anything I had ever experienced before. We were all at the table, his parents at the head while the three of us were sitting on both sides. Brandon was on one side, Damon and I on the other. The table was full of food: french toast (my favorite), eggs benedict (Dave's favorite), croissants with butter (Carol's favorite), bacon, and hash browns. Damon always makes a lot of food whenever we eat together, but this was something different. There were so many options and two different meal options. I'm more used to ramen on Sunday-Friday, maybe cereal or macaroni and cheese on the other days.
Anyways, the whole experience of eating with them was interesting. When we started eating, everyone was quiet. We were all hungry and just wanted to get food into our system. But once everyone started slowing down or their stomach stopped growling viciously, the conversation started. It was so normal. Dave and Carol asked about each of our days. They wanted to know about my school, when finals were, if I was nervous about any of them. Overall, how I felt about leaving one part of my life behind. Half the time, I was in shock. But, I'm grateful they asked. It was nice to talk about it. They both went to college in their youth so they were able to relate and told me that if I needed anything, I could ask.
I found out that Carol is a pediatrician and works in a non-profit to help children and families who cannot afford health care. Dave is the CEO of the business Damon saved. He didn't say much about his job, but the way he continued to glance at Damon as he was telling me about it told us everything he didn't want to say out loud. He has regret and gratitude in his eyes, sadness just creeping into the mystifying mix. Anyone could tell that he was proud of his son for saving the company, even with the method that he did it- but I think he would have rather lost everything than barely be able to see his sons.
In an odd way, I understand where he is coming from. I would rather have my parents fight every day, and pay minimal attention to me than to not have them around at all. They may not have been great parents or partners, but they were my parents and I loved them. I still love them.
"Rose?" Damon calling my name pulls me out of my reminiscent thoughts.
"Hmm?"
"We're here."
Looking outside the window, we are back at the cabin. I love this place. His parents open the car door (they insisted on driving together) and took in the sights. Their jaws drop slightly and I muffle my laughter behind my hand. I remember when that was me over four months ago.
As we get out of the car, his parents throw praise at Damon, saying "this is amazing." "How did you find this place?"
He doesn't respond at first, probably too elated by having his parents proud of him to say anything.
A smile reaches his face and he tells one story, out of many, that I am hearing for the first time. "When I first moved here, I wanted to get away from everything for a little while. After their first attempt at taking their 'revenge' if you will, I needed some peace and quiet. I knew they wouldn't be able to find me here because it's so far from the beaten path, so I thought it was the safest place for me. Anyways, I used some of the money that we made and bought out the land. I spent months building the cabin. When it was finally finished, I lived here for almost a year then moved in with Brandon, making this more of a vacation spot."
Looks of awe cover his parents' faces. They look so proud, respect shining in their eyes.
"You did this all by yourself?" Dave asks, placing his hand on his son's shoulder.
"For the most part. I choose the location, design, materials and I helped build it with a private contractor and his team. They took care of the permits because I wanted to keep a low profile, but everything else I either did or had a major part in."
"Great work, son."
"It looks beautiful, honey."
He nods his head, the biggest smile I have ever seen plastered on his face. Walking away from then, I head towards Brandon who stands in the middle of the dirt path staring up into the trees. Little rays of sunlight break through the thick foliage, highlighting his features.
"Hey."
He jumps at my sudden conversation, lost in thought.
"Hey. What's up?"
"Damon is giving your parents a tour of the cabin. They like what he did with the place."
"I knew they would. He created a life for himself. He never needs anyone." His tone turns bitter at the end of his sentence, jealousy faintly laces his words.
Why would he be jealous of Damon?
"What's wrong? Don't tell me nothing, I know you well enough to know that you would be lying to me."
"Sometimes I really hate how well you know me." We laugh before he continues. "It really is nothing, it's so stupid. But, before Damon and his mom joined our family, it was just my dad and me. I remember those times so vividly. We would ride our bikes in the park and go get ice cream after. He helped me build the clubhouse that is still in the backyard today. I was his winning achievement, his only son. Heir to the company.
"Don't get me wrong. I like Damon and his mom. I don't regret them living with us, but ever since they moved in everything is different. We all went to the park and went to get ice cream. Damon and I would race our bikes and most of the time he would win and our parents would tell him good job. They would pat me on the shoulder and tell me that I did my best, but that's not what I wanted. I wanted to be the best, I wanted them to tell me that I did a great job.
"This many years later, nothing has changed. They were proud of me for finishing university two years ago, they came to my graduation and threw me a big party. Then the scandal happened a little while later and everything changed. They weren't there for the first day of my career, they missed birthdays. All of a sudden, Damon took our family away. I know he was trying to help and he did, but they missed so much of my life because of it.
"Now, they get to see Damon doing well for himself. He has somewhere to live, a car any guy would trade sex for, and you. He loves you and you love him. You didn't look at him any different after he told you what he did. You supported him. Your life was put in danger because of him and now you are meeting our family. You are so understanding and you have changed him for the better. I want someone like you who will support me and understand that my past is unchangeable, but I am doing everything in the present to make it better."
His confession knocks the breath out of my lungs. I didn't know that he felt that way. I doubt Damon and his parents know that he feels this way. Taking a moment to collect my thoughts, I pause and look at him. My whole view of him has changed. He is just a boy that was forced to grow up into an adult without parents being by his side to support him and push him. He had to change his whole life around and compete with a boy his age when he was just a child.
"You cannot compare yourself to your brother. You two are so different that there is no comparison. You chose the more stable way of life and there is nothing wrong with that. He is a little riskier and there is nothing wrong with that either.
"Your parents love you both equally. They may tell Damon more often or show it more affectionately, but they are proud of you. I am positive that they would have loved to be there for your first day at work. They would have loved to make it to all of your birthdays and watch you grow up. They are proud of you. You have your own apartment and are taking care of yourself. That is a huge accomplishment. Don't belittle what you have done. You have a career and a home that is perfect for you. I have no doubt that you will meet someone who will see your past as your past and love you for you. It may take a little longer for some, but it will happen to you."
He doesn't speak, he continues to stare up at the sky, his face emotionless.
Finally, he says something and breaks the tension. "Thank you. I know you're right but look at him. They are doting on him and they haven't even been here for a day yet! They said they liked my apartment, but it was nowhere near this magnitude of a reaction."
"That is not true. Yes, Damon has a house, but where does he live? You don't think your parents are proud of you for letting Damon stay with you despite the risks? Have you ever thought that they are afraid for him and don't know what the future holds for their relationship?"
He looks at me. Really looks at me, right into my soul.
Pulling me into a hug, he whispers "thank you" into my ear. He pulls away quickly and grabs my hand, leading us into the house.
Sometimes all it takes is looking at someone else's perspective to understand their motive. I can only hope I helped Brandon understand why their parents may react the way they do to Damon.