Free About the Boy by Sharon De Vita Page B

been married for over fifty years and my brothers and I figured he just didn’t want to go on without her.”
    “That’s really a wonderful story. Sad,” she corrected, glancing up just as he glanced down. For a moment, they both froze, their gazes locked. She licked her lips, aware his gaze followed her tongue and sent a chill racing over her. “It’s hard to imagine a love that lasts an entire lifetime like that.” She didn’t care for the wistfulness in her voice. She was just tired, she told herself. “What about your brothers? Where are they?”
    Lucas sighed contentedly. “Well, my eldest brother, Peter, is a Chicago cop, as are my two youngest brothers, Jack and Jake—they’re twins,” he said, grinning down at her. “I’m police chief here, and my other brother, Brian, is actually running for political office in a small suburb of Chicago. Mayor,” he said with a shake of his head. “Hard to believe Brian’s responsible enough to be running for office.” He chuckled. “Brian was the worst of us. A pure hellion who gave my mother more fits than the rest of us combined. And from what I understand he’s in one very close race with a woman he’s been lusting after for months.”
    “Oh, the poor man,” Katie said with a laugh as they reached the wonderful old-fashioned wraparound front porch of her house. It was one of the reasons she’d bought the house. She’d loved the porch. “I’m sure that just makes it harder on him, knowing his competition is also someone he’s interested in.”
    “I’m going in, Ma,” Rusty called as he bolted up the front stairs two at a time. The front door was unlocked, as always, since no one in town ever locked their doors.
    “Rusty.” The tone of Katie’s voice stopped him cold. “Don’t you have something to say to Lucas?” she prodded and Rusty grinned sheepishly, whipping around and bolting halfway back down the stairs.
    “Oh. Yeah.” He lifted his hand in a halfhearted wave. “Thanks, Lucas. For the pizza and stuff.” He shuffled his feet, and glanced down, clearly uncomfortable and not certain exactly what to say.
    “You’re welcome, Rusty. If you’re not busy tomorrow, how about if I stop by after school and we can draw up some plans for that clubhouse?”
    Even in the dark Katie saw her son’s eyes brighten like beacons. “Really?” Rusty began to bounce up and down on his tennis shoes. “Tomorrow? We can do it tomorrow?”
    “After your chores and your homework,” Katie reminded him with a smile.
    “Awright, awright,” Rusty complained, then his head lifted again. “How ’bout you come over around four, Lucas? I get home at three and that will give me a whole hour to do my homework and chores. Is that okay, Ma?” he added, glancing at her for approval.
    “That’s fine, honey.”
    “Hey, Ma, maybe Lucas can stay for dinner? You can make your world famous burgers on the grill, with homemade French fries and stuff. What do you say, Ma? Huh? Is it okay?”
    She saw the hope and joy shining in her son’s eyes and hated to disappoint him, but she also had to be practical. She still had more boxes packed then unpacked and finding anything in the mess would be nothing short of a miracle.
    “Honey, I haven’t even unpacked or set up the grill yet—”
    “That’s okay,” Rusty said hurriedly. “Maybe Lucas and I could do it?” Pleading eyes turned to Lucas. “I mean, isn’t that the kind of thing uh…a buddy does? Help another buddy maybe unpack and set stuff up?” he asked with a shrug, making Lucas smile.
    “You’re absolutely right, Rusty,” Lucas agreed. “That’s exactly what a buddy should do.” He looked at Katie. “How about if Rusty and I unpack and set up the grill tomorrow after school. After his homework and chores,” he clarified, letting his gaze shift back to Rusty, who nodded in silent agreement.
    Katie looked from her son’s expectant face to Lucas and forgot all the things she’d already had