by King Ellie
“Ya sure bout that?” I teased Dr. Lee.
He chuckled, “I’m sure, Jude. Plus, man to man, your father would get rid of me if you didn’t trust me.”
I laughed, knowing that he was right.
“That’s the truth right’ there. My Daddy, Uncle Beau and PawPaw told’ me that I am a McDermott. I ain’t got to be scared of a damn thang in this world. We always got each other’s back.”
Dr. Lee nodded,
“And you believe them when they say this to you?” he asked.
I smiled, “Fuck yeah!” My eyes widened and I covered my mouth, “Oops! Please don’ tell Mama, she’s gonna lecture me again and I really wanna train this summer wit’ Daddy. She said I had to be on my best behavior for that to happen.”
Dr. Lee snickered, “Doctor, patient confidentiality so you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
I smiled. Ready to start this new chapter in my life with my parents. It didn’t take long for me to love them because they never stopped loving me to begin with. My Mama and Papa were the best. I was proud to be a McDermott.
****
Katerina
I held onto Jude’s hand as we made our way towards the Box seats. My nerves were getting the best of me. This was Carson’s first game back and I wanted to make sure that nothing happened to him. I glanced at Jude; he had his hair pulled back with a band, so it was out of his face. His complexion had gotten a bit darker, much more chestnut brown than before. I loved it. He looked like he had a permanent tan. His amber eyes shined with love as he stared at me. He was only eleven now, but he was getting taller than me. He kissed my cheek,
“He’ll be fine. Dad said he’s got this.”
I smiled at how much he admired his father. Not only that but loved all the men he met again. The ones that he forgot but didn’t forget their little dude. When the elevator dinged and we got off, we were met with our entire family as they came in support.
“Hi Daddy, Hi Mama,” I said to my parents.
They turned to me, my father spoke first, “Carina, I thought you’d never get here.”
I giggled as I hugged my dad, “Jude, over here wanted to make sure to wear his dad’s jersey.”
My dad smiled wide at Jude, “Little dude, how are you? We’ve missed you. You still coming down for Christmas?”
Jude joined in the hug,
“I wouldn’ miss it, Nonno,” Grandpa. I loved how my dad was teaching him Italian again.
I went to say hi to my mother, then all my siblings and their significant others. My phone’s notification went off and I checked it. Our therapist told me to go see Carson. He needed a bit more support.
“I’ll be back guys,” I announced. “Don’t miss me too much!” Just like I used to bid them goodbye. It was nostalgic.
Jude made a beeline for me, “Do you need me, Mama? Will you be good by yourself?”
I kissed his forehead. “Aww my baby, I’ll be fine. I’ll be right back. Just checking on Daddy. Sit, laugh and enjoy, but don’t sit with Uncle Gabriel, he’s gonna teach you way too many cuss words.”
“Too late,” Uncle Gabriel said as he sat back in his seat while sipping on his beer.
“Really, Unc?” I asked.
He laughed. I loved how carefree he was amongst all of us. He was always the one that I needed to go to when I needed a laugh. He still till this day never cut his hair, it still looked good on him. Maybe it was because he was my family and a Di’Maggio. We were beautiful beings and we didn’t deny it.
I turned to make eye contact with Cory, I winked at her loving that she made my twin happy. I couldn’t see anyone else with him and it put a big smile on my face. She smiled back at me. Then I looked at Cross who was finally seeking the help she needed and so was Beau. I knew that things were looking up with the fact that they were in the same room now and there was nothing negative being said to each other. I loved them and will always be grateful for them especially what they did for us.
I couldn’t be more thankful for my family or rather my new friend, our therapist, Dr. Gino Lee. He was an amazing human being above all else. He really cared about us and he went above and beyond. When I talked to him about all that I went through, he never pushed. He never asked me to overshare or tell me to hurry up and spill it all. Instead, he let me take baby steps. He let me cry, rant, be angry, lash out and in the end, I felt free. Free from the demons that held me back from being truly happy. I still had my struggles some days with thinking about Jude or Carson, but I was reassured every time they smiled or hugged me. Letting me know that we were going through this journey together. We were safe, we were loved, and we will always be a family that fights for each other.
****
Carson
“How do you feel, Carson?” My therapist, Dr. Lee asked.
I sighed, shutting my eyes as I held my helmet close to me clutching the phone as well, as the nerves came back.
“I don’t know if I’m ready,” I admitted.
Dr. Lee sighed, “You want me to give you some tough love or baby you?”
I lightly chuckled.
“If you weren’t my therapist, I’d kick your ass, Gino.”
He laughed, “But I’m still your good friend, I’d say that much, right?”
I kissed my teeth, “yeah, we are until you try to push up on my wife again.”
“Oh my God!” Gino chuckled. “It was once, and it was before I knew she was your wife. I apologized. Speaking of your wife, you’re welcome. My next appointment is here. Gotta go.”
“Whatever, Gino.” I smiled because he managed to calm my nerves.
“I’ll bill you for this,” he said before he hung up.
I rolled my eyes, laughing as I put my phone away and looked up to see my wife, walking into the locker room. The other guys wiggled their brows at me while they finished getting prepped. Katerina was like a breath of fresh air. I watched her as she walked towards me, her hair was straightened with half of it up in a top knot. She wore an orange and white polka-dotted summer dress that stopped mid-thigh. It made me smile as her pregnant belly stuck out some more. She wasn’t that far in the pregnancy, but she was showing a lot more lately.
“Heard I was needed?” she said as she winked at me. Her hand came to my cheek.
I looked up at her as she stood in between my legs. I leaned in, kissing my baby or babies… I was hoping for babies to make up for lost time.
“I’ll always need you,” I admitted.
She leaned down, kissing the top of my head as I wrapped an arm around her laying my cheek on her belly.
“You’re going to do fine today, baby. They picked you because you are the best, even after so many years, they still want you. Fuck, I’m so proud of you.”
Carson chuckled, “At this point, our children will all be cussin’ out the womb,” I said.
“So?”
I shook my head, standing I kissed her neck, then her cheeks and finally, her beautiful lips. I didn’t want to pull away, but I had to. When I did, I felt refreshed. She would always be the answer to my prayers. I looked into her eyes as I caressed her cheek,
“Would you rather be my girlfriend or jump off a cliff?” I asked her.
Katerina smiled, “I’d rather push you off the cliff.”
I couldn’t help it as I chuckled just like the fool in love that I was once in high school.
“Well then, I guess it’s settled.”
“What is?” She continued on with our little game.
“You’d jump off that cliff knowing you couldn’t be without me.”
And jump off the cliff, she did.
Dear, Carson McDermott
*The End*
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