Tiny Tim

The air quotes she performed made sure that I knew this was only a quote of what her father had said, and not an accusation from her to me. Though, I guess she would’ve had every right to make that accusation. After all, back then, I really didn’t care.

“Oh.” was my entire reply. Seriously, what else was I supposed to say?

Of course he cares about your happiness most. He’s your father. - That would’ve sounded like just another cheap shot at her own parenting during those dreaded four years.

Can’t blame him for being angry after seeing his daughter cry. - That would’ve sounded like just another cheap shot at her ignoring my depression.

Those thoughts must have played out on my face.

“Darling, don’t worry about it!” Mom said in a hurried voice. “I know why you couldn’t come home that day. You needed the money after we cleared out your bank account. I never blamed you for it! Not even for a second!”

“And I believe you.” I said, taking a hold of her hand and squeezing it, causing her to smile.

When we finally made our way into the admission office, I learned an interesting lesson. Colleges don’t give a flying fuck how you pay, or where that money comes from, as long as they get money from you. I could’ve paid for all of my certificates with the stolen cash! I even got the feeling they would’ve happily accepted a bag full of bloodied ten dollar bills with a smile, and never asked questions about it. I filed that away for later, when I had to pay for the following certifications and Mom’s second semester after the divorce was through.

When we left the building, Mom was hanging onto my arm again, regarding me with a strangely admiring look for the entire way to the car. Even during the drive home, I caught her looking at me that same way, while, every few minutes, squeezing my thigh or rubbing my arm.

During the following weeks, she continued that behavior and was even joined in it by Ava. Both of them used every opportunity they had to show their affection towards me. Every greeting and goodbye was now accompanied by kisses on the cheeks and endless ‘I love you’s. They demanded to hear how my days were every time we came together at the dinner table. After every self defense class I taught in school, Ava went on and on about how much her friends had praised me afterwards. And each evening that wasn’t spent with Mia, was spent cuddling on the couch with my Mom and sister.

On the days Mia didn’t stay overnight, I woke up the next morning with one or both of them cuddled up to me in bed. Of course, they both had picked up on my guilt about what I did with Mom despite having Mia as my girlfriend, and they seemed to respect that. So, whenever they snuck into my bed, they were more or less fully clothed and nothing ever happened. At least nothing overtly sexual, though another form of affection had manifested itself over those days.

Mom also called her lawyer and instructed her to make Aaron’s lawyer the new offer. If he stopped stalling or otherwise making problems, he could keep the investment account while they split everything else fairly. It took him a few days, but he ultimately agreed. I guess he finally came to terms with the reality of not being able to force Mom and Ava back into his life.

It was about two weeks after the confrontation with Grandpa, when something happened that had an disturbingly strong effect on me, and finally made me realize how far we had come.

I awoke unusually early in the morning, feeling the urge to visit the bathroom, and found Mom curled up at my side with one hand holding on to my shirt. Her face, a relaxed mask of contentment, was buried into the side of my chest as she slept peacefully.

I slowly and carefully extracted myself from her hold, not wanting to disturb her slumber. Though, it seemed like my mere absence was doing just that. As soon as I raised off the mattress and turned around, I could see her body stir and her face scrunch, as her hand slowly and aimlessly moved over the still warm patch of fabric my body had left behind.

At that moment, I did not yet understand what was happening. However, when I returned from the bathroom, it was obvious that Mom’s sleep had turned from peaceful to restless. She was now on her back, the blanket was kicked down to her knees, and her pillow had been pushed away. Her face was also still showing a slight frown. All of that only lasted until I got back into bed.

As soon as I lay back down next to her, she turned to wrap an arm around my stomach, pulling herself into me until she could rest her head on my shoulder. While I draped the covers over us, she also pushed one of her legs over my waist, laying herself half onto me. Before I could even think up a comment, the hand of her arm that had wrapped itself around my waist drifted upwards, until it came to a rest cupping my cheek.