Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113812 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 569(@200wpm)___ 455(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
But I answer anyway. “Yes, sir.”
“Joey stopped by to pick up some extra eggs from us.”
“Joey from high school?” I haven’t thought about him in years. He played football with Baylor and me. Caused some trouble but was a good friend. “What’s he up to?”
He takes one barn door while I take the other, and we close them at the same time. “He said he’ll be down at Whiskey’s later and said you should stop by.”
“I think I’m good.” I latch the barn doors closed and head back to the house with him.
“We’re not doing anything but watching Wheel of Fortune and last week’s episode of Survivor.” On the porch, he says, “Can’t say we’ll be much fun.”
“I don’t mind. The days have gone fast.”
Patting my back, he says, “He seemed like he really wanted to see you. Think about it once we head to bed. I know you kids start your nights late. Nothing exciting will be going on here other than my snoring.”
“I’ll think about it.”
As soon as I walk in, my mom says, “Anna called to talk to Beckett.”
I would have rather been here, but she’s allowed to talk to her son. “How’d that go?”
“Seemed to go well. She talked to me before I handed over the phone.”
That raises suspicion. I scratch the back of my neck. “Not to sound like a parrot, but how did that go?”
“She was cordial. She also asked about you and how you were doing?” I don’t make things negative, but how I’m doing is the last thing she ever cared about. So yeah, that’s odd. Mom continues, “I told her you were doing great and working out at Rollingwood the past two days.”
I chuckle. “I can only imagine what she thought about that.”
With us standing in the kitchen, keeping our voices down so little ears don’t hear, she releases a sigh. “I may be reading too much into it, but she sounded like she missed you.”
“We don’t see each other except when we’re picking up or dropping off Beckett, so I think you misread her tone.” I rest my hand on the top of the chair because it seems my mom has more on her mind.
She moves closer and peeks down the hall before whispering, “Although I don’t know what happened between you two, I know it’s not been easy for you since. I hate to pry, but I still worry about you and Beckett.”
“You’re not prying. Ask what’s on your mind.”
“Is there a chance you and Anna could get back together? Many couples work it out for the kids—”
“No. There’s no chance.” I direct my attention down the hall where Beck fell asleep not long ago. “We weren’t good before we found out about the baby, but I stuck out to support her during the pregnancy and after to be in my son’s life. Now that the ties that bound us in the early years are severed, I’m not looking to fix them. I’m in his life equally, as much as I can be, but he’s happy, and I’m happier. This trip helped.”
“You found a piece of yourself again. I can see it in your eyes. That’s what coming home does. It reminds you of who you were and the people who will always welcome you back.” She embraces me around my middle.
I hug her, and say, “Thank you.” It’s quick, and the talk was over before it got too heavy. I’m glad we have the type of relationship where she doesn’t mind that I don’t tell her the gory details as long as she knows I’m okay. “I’m doing good.”
“I’m glad to hear it and even happier to see it.” Giving my arm a squeeze, she says, “I’m turning in. Night, son. Love you.”
“Love you, Mom.” The conversation replays in my mind as I walk upstairs, and it stays on a loop as I take a hot shower. I washed my face and hands before dinner, but the water now pummeling my shoulders feels so good as the rest of the tension washes away.
I take my time, but even when I get out, it’s not that late. It’s just gone nine. So I sit on the end of the bed and flip the TV on. After a good twelve seconds of searching the few channels my parents pay for, I click it off, remembering what my dad said about Joey.
Am I up for driving over to Whiskey’s?
It’s been years since I’ve been there. I was barely legal that time, too. Now I’m a grown man with a child. I should be a responsible dad.
Since when does having a good time every now and again make me a bad father? It doesn’t.
I still humor myself by looking around the small bedroom once more to see if anything remotely entertaining catches my eye. Nothing. I could go to sleep, but I’d be up at three in the morning wide awake. Our flight isn’t until noon, so I don’t need to go to bed early.