Dandelions

Margaret Buckley

Despite the pain and regret threatening to overwhelm her, Margaret held onto a glimmer of hope—a hope that she could repair her relationship with Buck, no matter how fragile it seemed. It was a hope born from desperation and longing, but it was all she had left in the face of her own mistakes. Now, they had another chance, a chance to stop running for Jee and Elle, and Margaret was determined to seize it. She wouldn't fail her children again. They deserved better.

Margaret was startled when Buck entered the living room, being his loud and exuberant self. "All done! By the way, how tired are you from your flight? Because in a couple of hours Elle and I are going to the Nash-Grant House for the 118's monthly barbecue."

Margaret swiftly wiped her tears away and plastered a smile towards her son, she did not even need to fake it. Seeing her son sweeping his daughter from the pen play and hoisting her on his hip as he smiled, filled Margaret with joy. "I'm good, though if I only have a couple of hours, I better start getting ready. I will need a shower and a new set of clothes." Margaret stood up and smoothed the wrinkles from her pencil skirt. "Are we bringing something with us?"

"I baked grandma's famous shoofly pie!" Buck beamed. "She will be the belle of the potluck."

Margaret laughed, startled by the unexpected answer. "Now Phillip will be so jealous he missed this visit. His mother's shoofly pie has always been a favorite of his. He could not stop asking me to bake it during our first year as a married couple, he only stopped when the doctor started advising him to cut off his sugar intake." Margaret shook her head, as Buck laughed at his mom's story. "Though, he still demands one shoofly pie a month. Sweet tooth demon!"

Margaret smiled as heard Buck laughing loudly as she took the stairs to the second floor. Margaret took her time in the shower, rinsing the smell and sweat she had accumulated during the flight. She then dressed up in an outfit more casual than she was used to, but after so many events with the 118 in the last year Margaret learned that dressing up when around family creates a tense atmosphere. An atmosphere that Margaret did not wish to subject her children and granddaughters to.

Soon the three Buckleys were in Buck's Jeep and making their way towards the Nash-Grant House. Buck was driving, Elle was comfortable in her baby car seat on the backseat, while Margaret was on the front passenger seat with the shoofly pie secured on her lap.They drove in silence until they hit a traffic jam. They were not worried as they had left the house early and were still on time.

However, Buck took advantage of it and sprung a surprise on his mom. "I am dating a man."

Margaret almost dropped the soofly pie from her lap, as her head snapped towards her son startled. It took her a second before her brain could finally tell her mouth how to move appropriately. "Oh, that's great my dear." Margaret winced at what she had just said, my dear? Who was she? She sounded just like her mother-in-law!

"That... that's it?" Now it was Buck's time to look at her shocked.

"What do you mean, Buck?" Margaret inquired confused.

Buck's frustration was palpable. "I mean, you're not surprised... or angry?"

"I... I'm surprised, yes, but I'm not angry," she managed to stammer out, her heart aching with regret. "To be honest, I didn't think you were interested in men at all."

Buck snorted, a bitter edge to his laughter. "I've been into guys since high school, I even dated Alex!" he exclaimed, his frustration boiling over.

Margaret's eyes widened in shock. "Alex was a guy?!" she blurted out, completely taken aback. "I thought she... he... I mean, I thought Alex was a cheerleader! You always mentioned Alex being in your football games!"

Buck rolled his eyes, clearly exasperated. "Yeah, well, he was on the team!" he retorted, his irritation clear.

For a moment, the car was filled with awkward silence, tension thick in the air. But then, as they stopped at a red light, the absurdity of the situation seemed to hit them both at once, and they burst out laughing.

"Does anyone else know?" Margaret asked tentatively, after their chuckle subsided.

Buck's response was immediate. "Me being bi? Yeah, everyone knows. I don't really hide it. I go to PRIDE and wear pins with the bisexual flag. Me dating someone? No, only Chimney because he found out by accident."

Margaret let out a heavy sigh, she reached out her hand, trembling slightly, and tried not to cry as Buck took it, his grip hesitant at first before tightening around hers. She felt the calluses in his fingers, the roughness of his palms, and she couldn't help but marvel at the tangible presence of her son beside her.

"I realize your father and I haven't exactly been the epitome of trustworthiness for you and Maddie, but I appreciate you confiding in me," Margaret said softly, her voice tinged with emotion. "Tell me, do you hold strong feelings for this man?" Margaret inquired gently, her curiosity piqued.

Buck flushed and looked away, his fingers tapping the wheel as the traffic jam finally broke and they were able to continue on their way. "I do," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "He's so good with Elle, and he'll be coming to the barbecue. We'll tell everyone there. I... I didn't want you to be shocked by the revelation."

In that instant, Margaret felt a rush of happiness flood through her. They continued their journey in peaceful quietude, arriving at the barbecue to friendly faces. Margaret didn't resent the past tension; in fact, she embraced it. It signified that her children finally had a family that prioritized them above everything else.

Margaret couldn't ignore the transformation in her son the moment the man stepped into the Nash-Grant House backyard. She noticed it in Buck's eyes, the newfound energy in his cheeks. He appeared more self-assured, standing with a newfound sense of confidence. Margaret was filled with gratitude. When Buck approached her and Bobby, who were swapping stories, with the man by his side, Margaret's heart fluttered. Close up, she recognized the man was possibly closer to Maddie's age than her son's. But he was quite handsome, her son certainly knew how to choose his partners.

"Hi, Mom. Pops," Buck greeted them with a gentle smile, his eyes shimmering with unspoken emotions as he glanced between them and the man beside him. "Mom, this is the guy I mentioned. Tommy."

Tommy extended his hand, his smile lopsided yet friendly. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Buckley. I... I really care about Evan."

Margaret focused on Buck's expression—the way his eyes gleamed with affection, the way his smile widened with genuine joy. Her son was in love, and in that moment, nothing else mattered.