Owen did as he was told and rooted through a drawer full of spatulas, slotted spoons, a can opener, some bag clips, and who knew what else. He triumphantly held up the wine opener. “Got it.”
“Will you open the wine?” Sylvia asked.
“Sure thing.” Owen opened the bottle, poured two glasses, and handed one to Sylvia.
The woman took a sip and smiled. “Nice. It’s been a long time since I’ve had wine. Totally gave up alcohol with the cancer scare. I don’t think a nice glass of red wine is going to hurt anything now.”
Owen didn’t know what to say. He didn’t know what kind of cancer Sylvia had had, only that it had taken her a few years to get back on her feet. She looked healthy enough to him. Thin, but good color. She looked happy here in the kitchen, messing with things on the stove and peeking into the oven.
“You two boys sit down. I’ll have dinner on the table in a jiffy.”
Owen wasn’t sure the last time he had been called a boy, but once again he did as he was told and sat at the table. Jake took the seat across from him and settled his beer on the table.
Sylvia set down an array of dishes in front of them, then took her place at the head of the table. “Hope you like these. Let me know what you think of each one. I’ve been busy working on the new menu.”
Owen thought every single dish that Sylvia made was wonderful. She was a fabulous cook, which he told her at least a half dozen times as he sampled the dishes.
Jake ate in silence.
Sylvia finally turned to her son. “Jake, I expect you to be polite to our guest. He is your brother. Nothing your father did is Owen’s fault. I know you aren’t happy that I accepted his offer of the building and help opening the restaurant, but it is something I really want. I accepted the fact that Stephen wasn’t going to have anything to do with you, nor was he going to help support you. But he should have. It was just as much his responsibility as it was mine.”
Sylvia then turned to Owen. “I didn’t know that Stephen was married when I was seeing him. He didn’t tell me he was and he wore no wedding ring. I don’t want you to think I was some kind of homewrecker. Not that I wrecked his home, since he just walked away from us.”
“I’m very sorry he did that.”
“The man missed out. His loss for not having the joy of Jake in his life.”
“Jake didn’t miss much not having our father, well, as a father. He was cold and totally uninterested in my life except for grades. He was rarely around. Neither was my mother.” Owen put down his silverware.
“So you want me to feel sorry for you?” Jake glared at Owen.
“No, I want you to know that I think you got a better deal with your family all around you and a mother who obviously cares about you. No amount of money can buy that. You are one lucky man.”
~ * ~
Jake knew his mother was right. He was being a jerk. Owen was right, too. He was a lucky man. He’d had everything he needed growing up. They hadn’t had much money, but they’d gotten by. The family had helped him out so much the last few years, too. He’d been busy working two jobs to try and pay the bills. The family had helped take care of his mother, sat with her during chemotherapy treatments when he couldn’t, and brought food when she had been too tired to grocery shop or cook.
“Owen, I’m sorry. I’ve been behaving like a jerk.”
“Apology accepted.”
“I still don’t want anything from our father, but my mother deserves it. She had no help from the man, no support at all. If she wants the family building back and wants to open up her restaurant again, then I’m happy you could do that for her.”
“I’m glad I could do it for both of you.”
“I know I’m late in saying this, but thank you. I do appreciate you making my mama so happy.”
His mother smiled. “That’s better. I was hoping you two could become friends. This is a start.”
“So, Mama, now you want to have this fancy menu restaurant. Let me just say that these dishes you cooked tonight were great. If a fancier restaurant is what you want, I’m all for it.”
“Thanks, son.” Sylvia got up to clear the table.
“Let me help.” Owen stood up.
The three of them cleared away the dinner dishes and his mother put out a peach pie, some kind of chocolatey fancy looking thing, and a strawberry tart. He had to admit he’d been eating very well the last week or so with all his mother’s experimenting.
They all tried the three desserts, but none of them could agree on which was the best.
“Sylvia, those were so good. I’m going to leave the menu in your capable hands.” Owen pushed away from the table. “I have some workers coming at the first of the month to do some rehab work. Going to replace the refrigeration system, too. I’ll get you in there straight away and let you check everything out. You can let me know if anything else needs upgrading or needs to be fixed. I thought we could remodel the bathrooms too. I’m hoping to have all the work finished in about a month’s time.”