I tried sitting up, and moved my hands from my lap to the table. "I'm not mad. It's just a misunderstanding."
"I'm happy to hear that Jake, but people like them won't listen to reason. They see what they want to see. They hear what they want to hear. And that's their prerogative." Mrs. Atkins told me. "Either way, I don't want judgemental people like them in my house, ruining what I'm trying to instill you boys. Acceptance and communication is key."
"Mom." Kyle groaned.
"Enough out of you." Her gaze cut sharply to him. "We said you can hang with who you like. Be friends with who you want. Date who you want. But what I don't want, is my kids feeling attacked in their own home." She glared. "Unless you're telling me that this isn't Jake's home?"
My legs started to shake as I waited for Kyle's response.
Kyle sighed. "I didn't mean that. I just don't want you guys so against my relationship with Marie because of her parents."
"Kyle, from what I understand, Marie also has outspoken personality." Mr. Atkins said. "That's not necessarily a bad thing. But is bad to make others feel terrible about themselves. Now, I don't know what happened for Noah to say that she's a bully, but I don't believe my own son would lie to me to my face." He looked to Noah.
Noah looked Kyle in the eyes. "I said I would play nice and I did. Her parents really could have hurt Jake with their words. You know he's a runner. Just look at what happened to Mrs. Golladay, he ran away from school. What would you do if he ran away from home?" Some of Kyle's anger subsided. "I don't think Marie is a bully. I just said that because we had a bad first impression of her. But now, I think it's something related to her parents."
Kyle dragged a hand through his hair. "I know Marie comes off pretty strong. I do. Remember? I was the one that didn't get along with her the most. I said some mean things to her too."
"I don't think she's mean." I spoke up. All eyes moved to me. I swallowed. "I-I'm okay. The words, they didn't hurt. I was just scared that you guys would agree that I was corrupting Noah. I wouldn't want to do that."
Dave was the first to laugh. "Corrupt Noah? Please! It's probably the other way around."
"I'm not a bad influence either!" Noah raised his voice over Dave's laughter.
"Back to the main subject." Mr. Atkins calmed the two wild ones down. "Kyle, we won't stop you from dating Marie. We can't say the same for her parents because our differing views. But, I will let you know that I'm concerned that Marie's values aren't aligned with ours. Nothing against her."
Kyle opened his mouth, then closed it. He didn't have anything to say to that.
"But-" I felt depressed seeing Kyle get so angry and now looking deflated. His look of defeat made me feel guilty. It's not his fault that Marie's parents are a little mean. It's not like they told me to my face either. They just wanted to show their concern for the Atkins. If I didn't stick so close to Noah, or if I would just speak up a little more, maybe they wouldn't have said anything. No fight or disagreements would have taken place.
I looked to Mrs. Atkins for help.
Mrs. Atkins noticed my gaze. "Do you have something to say Jake?"
I nodded. "I don't want...you guys to be mad..." My voice got smaller. "At Marie... She can't decide who her parents are."
Plus, if they judge her off her parents, does that mean they see me like my mom? A future alcoholic? A bum? An abuser?
"We wouldn't do that, Jake." Mrs. Atkins gave me a comforting smile. She nodded at Mr. Atkins.
Mr. Atkins didn't look as comfortable as his wife though. He caught me looking at him and stopped fidgeting. "You're your own person, Jake. Your parents can help raise you, but ultimately you'll make decisions in life that differ. I-." He stopped. With everyone looking at him, he coughed. "We'll evaluate each person separately. Although I don't like hearing that Marie was mean to the youngest two, I won't hold it against her. Everyone makes mistakes." He looked to Kyle. "I don't know how Marie's parents are reacting. I don't see how they can stop you from dating, but should there be a problem, I can meet with them one-on-one. I'll explain where we were coming from and why we were offended." His gaze sharpened. "But Jake is one of us, and if they still have something mean or unsavory to say, then I'll let them know that."
Kyle nodded. "That's fair. I'm going to call Marie and tell her..." He raised an eyebrow at Noah and me. "Tell her that my brothers aren't gay?"
Dave laughed.
Noah frowned. "We aren't. Nor do I have any inclination to be. Jake can hardly stand us, could you imagine him liking anyone?"
Dave laughed harder and Kyle cracked a smile. The atmosphere lightened all around.
But wait. "But I do like you guys." I told him. Then glanced around the table. "All of you. You're all the nicest people I know."
"Except Kyle." Dave stage whispered.
Kyle glared at him.
"Thanks Jake, we like you too." Mrs. Atkins smiled.
I blushed and looked down.
"Awe! So shy!" Dave hollered.
"Alright, don't give him a hard time." Mr. Atkins said. "Anyone else have anything to say?"
Zeke stood up. "I've made a decision. I'm committing to Stanford."
Silence only lasted for two seconds before the boys got rowdy:
"What?! Why?!"
"I bet Marie's dad made him feel guilty!"
"No way. Zeke never listens to others."
"How else can you explain this?"
Mrs. Atkins looked stunned. Mr. Atkins just shook his head, either at the decision or the noise everyone was making. Too soon to tell.
Zeke coughed once. "Listen for a second will you?"
The boys got quiet and all eyes were on Zeke.
"I made this decision long before Greg's criticism." Zeke stated. "This doesn't mean I'm writing off playing in the pros or giving up on the draft. In fact, if I get drafted in the first round, I'll definitely be giving up my spot on Stanford's roster. I've spoken to their coach about this and told him what I would like to accomplish."
"What if you fall to the second round?!" Noah blurted out.
"I'll take things as they come." Zeke said. "First round is highly unlikely since there are plenty of good college players available and there are better players all around the country that might play after high school. The farther I fall, the more likely I'll stick with college. We'll see how much is offered."
"Is this about money again?" Mr. Atkins sighed.
"No. It's about opportunity. I know what I want to do." Zeke told him. "I want to go and be a pro. There's risks, but the signing bonus can be my fallback to go to college if I get hurt or just don't make it. If they don't want me, I go to college for two years and build up my skill and try again. I just know I'll get better by playing with better players." He looked his dad in the eyes. "Trust me."
Mr. Atkins looked to his wife. She smiled with tears falling out of the corners of her eyes. She stood up and walked over to Zeke, pulling him into a hug. "We won't hold you back. You can always come back to us either way."
Zeke patted her back and smiled. "I know, Mom. Thanks."
Mr. Atkins smiled as he stood. He patted his son on the back. "I'm proud of you son. No matter what. If baseball doesn't work out, if you lose your scholarship, just know you can call us. Call home."
"Does this mean that if he goes to Stanford, we can play a year of college ball with him?" Dave asked, excited.
Kyle nodded. "You can only get drafted as a high school graduate, two years of college, or after junior and senior year."
"Can you two even get into Stanford?" Noah snorted. "With your grades and mediocre skill, you'll be lucky to play for any division one college." He folded his arms and looked away. He sounded..upset?
"You're just jealous." Dave stuck out his tongue. "You won't be able to play with Zeke after this year unless he never chooses the draft."
"You dummies." Noah rolled his eyes. "Zeke will definitely get picked early and go play in the pros." He got up. "Well, since we're done here, I'm going to go watch the A's." He left for the living room.
"We have to announce your decision soon." Mr. Atkins told Zeke, ignoring the fact that Noah walked out. "Have you told your coaches?"
"We should throw a party!" Mrs. Atkins smiled, pulling away from the hug. "Maybe you can make the announcement at school? Or just here in the kitchen and we'll send it to the interested newspapers and sports websites?"
The twins jumped in with ideas of their own on how Zeke should announce it.
I got up and went to find Noah in the living room. He was sitting on the couch with his legs crossed under him, eyes trained on the tv. I couldn't tell what he was feeling or why he was feeling that particular way, but I could tell he wasn't in the mood to talk.
I sat down beside him and watched the game, mindlessly, as well.