Page 61 of Sterling Clay

Plus, Emerson has never attended a Sylver Sunday meal. The fact comes to me only now as I’ve brought Mavis. Stone’s rule has always been no outsiders. Only family. Very rarely has a friend been included, but as Sylvers keep falling in love lately, the number of attendees grows.

Does that mean I love Mavis? I almost admitted such a thing last night, confessing how those three words fight for release when I’m around her. Because I feel rather passionate about Mavis and Dutton, and this isn’t some savior complex happening. Like I told Mavis, she’s doing more for me than I might be doing for her.

Stone doesn’t answer me about Emerson but holds out the bear for me to give to Dutton. “Thanks, man. I’ll give it to him later. For now, I just want him to forget about last night and hang with Winnie.”

“They’ve become fast friends,” Stone chuckles. “Like Hudson and Zelle.” My eleven-year-old nephew has been teaching a thing or two to my nine-year-old niece, and the pair have turned into double trouble especially when it comes to collecting money for their swear jars from their uncles.

Stone and I grin. We didn’t know any of our cousins. Our mother was an only child. Our father’s family moved away from Sterling Falls. As far as we knew, he didn’t have contact with them as an adult. Or maybe he let any relationship he had dissolve like he did with his kids. As for the next generation of Sylvers, the cousins are close and an extension of their own families.

The grin Stone and I share is full of pride. Sometimes, we marvel at the fact we pulled it off. Sometimes, we still question how the fuck we did it. Only one of us got into trouble, that person being Sebastian, but even he’s had a turnaround. He’s definitely a reformed bad boy, and with his new wife and daughter, and another child on the way, he’s transforming into a great dad and husband.

“Think Judd will be here,” I ask as Stone and I step into the hallway leading to the kitchen.

“I should probably talk to him.” Stone, still playing father-figure even though we’re crossing into our forties.

“Let me,” I offer as we enter the kitchen. I have questions and I can relay the answers to Stone later.

He claps me once on the shoulder like tagging me to be it, and we separate in the kitchen. He’ll still play grill master for today’s meal.

As for me, I need a beer.

Chapter 21

[Mavis]

“What’s this?” Dutton asks, his eyes sparkling at the item Clay offers him once we are home.

When we returned to Clay’s house after a long but surprisingly pleasant afternoon at his brother’s place, Clay carried a large bag with him and asked Dutton to take a seat on the couch. Sitting across from him on the ottoman, Clay holds up a stuffed teddy bear with a star-like badge in the corner of his chest.

“My brother Stone is the town sheriff.” Clay begins. “And this is called a bravery bear.”

Dutton glances at me, clearly remembering Stone before we were re-introduced today.

Clay wiggles the fluffy animal in his hand. “He thought you deserved one for a number of reasons. And every superhero needs a sidekick, right?”

Dutton stares at the bear.

“Stone also thought you were very brave as a Power Princess and that this bear might bring you extra courage.”

Dutton’s eyes are wide, his head nodding as though agreeing with every assessment Clay makes of him. As for me, I’m holding my breath. Not out of anticipation but in wonder. How sweet is this gift? And how amazing is Clay in this presentation to Dutton? Both Dutton and I were so easily welcomed to the Sylver family weekly tradition, and my heart is still swollen from their acceptance of me and my son.

Alone.

“I’m hoping the bravery bear will help you,” Clay continues. “He’ll be there to protect you during the night, from storms, from the dark, from everything, and keep you company. Maybe he can ward off bad dreams, too.” Clay shrugs, like he knows the bear isn’t a miracle worker, but has the possibility to be a comforting companion.

Seeing that bear, hearing Clay’s explanation, and watching Dutton’s reaction, gives me an idea.

Clay holds the bear toward Dutton, who eagerly takes it and gives the thing a tight squeeze. Dutton glances at me first and then back at Clay. “Thank you.”

Clay smiles so wide and bright, I almost think Dutton’s gratitude is greater than the gift Clay gave my son. Clay himself has certainly been a gift to both of us and I’ll be forever thankful he’s let us stay with him.

For now, Dutton continues to hug the bear and requests Princess Power time.

Clay looks up at me. “Uhm. I was kind of hoping to watch a baseball game.”

I’d learned that Ford Sylver used to play for the Chicago Anchors and the team made the championship playoffs without him as their star centerfielder. Still, Ford is a proud supporter of his former team and will be heading back to Chicago to watch a few rounds of the playoffs. Clay is a big fan of the sport.

“That’s fine. Dutton, you can watch Princess Power on your tablet.” We have access through a streaming app.