The Half of Us (Family 4)

“Where are we going?” Donny asked.

“Shopping, remember? We’re getting your dad a birthday present.”

Frowning, Donny said, “Can’t you drop me at home?”

“It’ll be fun,” Abe said. When that response resulted in a scowl, Abe tried another approach. “I’m not great with electronics, and I want to get him an espresso machine.” He flicked his gaze toward Donny. “I know you’re good with your games and computers, so I was hoping you could help me pick one out.”

“Oh.” Donny didn’t smile, but he seemed less upset. “Sure. Whatever.” Donny reached for the radio and turned on the music.

Relieved that they were making progress, however small, Abe didn’t bother Donny for the rest of the drive. By the time they got to the mall, Donny seemed less tense. He grunted more than he spoke, but he helped pick out the espresso machine for his father and chose some of the capsules they’d use for drinks. It was almost one by the time they had the wrapped gift in their hands, and Abe was able to talk Donny into getting lunch at the food court while they waited for Kris’s class to finish.

“What do you want to eat?” Abe asked.

“Pizza. That’s my favorite food.”

Pleased that Donny had volunteered information about himself, Abe tried to continue the conversation. “Oh, yeah? It’s your dad’s favorite too.”

“It is?” Donny looked interested at first, but then he schooled his expression. “I mean, whatever.”

Ignoring the last comment, Abe said, “Yes. Do you like it cold or just hot?”

Donny shrugged and buried his hands in his pockets as they continued walking.

“Because your dad likes both. Have you ever noticed how he always orders too much when we get pizza delivered?”

“Yeah.” Donny glanced at him.

“That’s so he can eat cold pizza the next day.”

“Oh.” Donny looked away, but not before Abe saw a small smile on his face. “I like to do that too.”

“You guys have a lot in common.”

“It’s just pizza.”

“That and you look like him.”

“People say I have my mom’s eyes.”

Abe twisted his head to the side. “I can see that. But you’ve got your dad’s build and his hair too. Same color and thickness, plus”—Abe pointed at his own forehead—“both of your hairlines are pretty straight across the front, but then they dip up at the ends.”

“I, uh, never noticed that.”

“I spend a lot of time looking at your dad,” Abe said before he realized the comment might make Donny uncomfortable.

“He spends a lot of time looking at you too.”

Surprised but pleased at the response, Abe smiled. They reached the pizza place, walked through the order line, and then carried their trays to a nearby table.

“So you’re, like, living with my dad now, right?” Donny asked between bites of pizza.

Treading carefully, Abe said, “Would that be okay with you?”

“Sure. Whatever.” Donny shrugged. “Lots of kids have stepparents.”

Given all the internalized shame and anger Jason’d had when they’d first met, Abe knew Angela was responsible for the easy acceptance her kids exhibited. With as much as Jason thought he did wrong, marrying such an amazing woman and having two great kids hadn’t been a mistake.

“Want to hear something funny?” Abe said.

Donny looked up from his plate, his expression interested. “Yeah.”

“I’m living with your dad, but he doesn’t realize it.”

“What do you mean?” Donny asked from around a mouthful of fries. He had ordered a large basket of them in addition to two slices of pizza. “You’re always there.”

Abe laughed. “Yes. I’m always there. My clothes are in his closet and my toothbrush is next to his sink, but it all happened slowly, and he doesn’t notice a lot of things or think about them.”

“Uh, doesn’t he notice you never go home?”

“Not yet.” Abe reached over to Donny’s tray and snagged a fry. “I used to sublet a room from a friend, but a couple of months ago, she got engaged and gave notice on her lease. I thought about finding someplace else but, like you said, I’m always at your dad’s. Most of my clothes were there by then, anyway, so I boxed up my books and the rest of my things and rented one of those small storage units for them.”

Donny laughed. “That’s funny.”

“He’ll figure it out eventually. Your dad’s smart.” Abe picked up his tea and took a sip. “Just like you.”

“Like Kris, not like me.”

“Your sister’s brilliant,” Abe agreed. “But so are you.”

Donny smiled again and pushed his basket of fries toward Abe.

ABE RETURNED home that afternoon with two seemingly happy teenagers and a great birthday gift. All in all, it had been a nice day.

And then all hell broke loose.

He was in the kitchen, figuring out what to make for dinner and waiting for Jason to get home, when he heard loud noises from upstairs, followed by both kids shouting. Immediately, he ran out of the room and up the stairs.