Page 10 of Shattered Dreams

“Hi, Mrs. Parks.”

“Hello, Jolynn.” Ma reached down and ran her hand over Harrison’s head. “You look good.”

A single tear made its way down her cheek. “Thanks.”

“Now, Harrison, is it?”

The little boy nodded.

“You come on over and you can sweep my garage out to make it up to me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He scrambled over the chain-link fence and took Ma’s hand as they walked to the garage.

“So, uh, how’s life been?” I looked at the ground and toed a stone that made its way into our yard.

“Not bad. Just came back to see Mom and Dad.”

I forced myself to swallow and asked what’s been on my mind. “You find what you went looking for?”

She looked into my eyes, and her beautiful blue eyes looked sad. “I did.”

“Good. I’m glad.” My voice came out gruffer than I meant for it to be. “I’ll, uh, send your boy home when he’s done.”

“Thanks Richie.” Her voice was barely audible.

I took two backward steps before turning to go back to the grill. Jeremy didn’t wait before pouncing on me.

“Jo’s grown up pretty.”

“Yeah.”

“Did you invite them to eat with us?”

“No.” I cleared my throat.

“Why not?”

“Because.”

“Because why?” He shoulders me.

Lifting my shoulder in a shrug, I flipped the burgers over.

“Wow. You’re a fountain of knowledge.”

“Yeah.”

“You know what?” He snapped. “You don’t get to bitch Coop out anymore. Because you’re as chicken shitted as he is.” Jeremy waved me off as he stomped away.

He’s not wrong. Jo wasn’t only my first love. She was my only love. No one compared to her. No one ever has. I’ve dated a few other girls, but I can’t see myself getting serious with them.

There’s no place in your future for me…

Those damn words are like a bad song on repeat in my head. How could she think that? She had been part of every aspect of my past and future. She was everything.

Glancing over my shoulder, I see Ma standing on her rag-rug directing the young boy around the already clean garage.

Ma smiled at me and gave me a wink.

---