Then Adrian said:
“But I will never choose not to know you again.”
Miles narrowed his eyes.
“That sounds like military-lawyer language.”
From the kitchen I called:
“He does that.”
Miles almost smiled.
Adrian continued:
“I can’t promise I’ll never disappoint you.”
“I can promise I won’t use one disappointment as an excuse to leave.”
Miles considered that.
Then opened the door wider.
That was their real beginning.
Adrian’s parents became grandparents with almost embarrassing enthusiasm.
His father bought four fishing rods.
Four bicycles.
Four matching winter jackets.
I made him return half of everything.
He protested.
“I missed eight Christmases.”
“That does not mean you get sixteen Christmases this year.”
He pointed at me.
“That logic is debatable.”
“It isn’t.”
The boys adored him.
Adrian’s mother struggled differently.
She apologized constantly.
Eventually Lucas told her:
“Can you stop apologizing and make breakfast?”
She blinked.
