Page 35 of A River of Crows

“I’m okay.” Sloan pulled the Keith Whitley cassette out of her pocket and handed it across the table. “It also took longer because they had to check this.”

He took the tape and grinned. “Those guards probably just wanted to listen to it before me.”

“It’s really great,” Sloan said.

“This isn’t your copy, is it?”

“No. I bought two. Almost bought the CD too. I don’t have a CD player yet, but Noah does. Do you have a stereo here?”

“Yep, and I’m going to play this till it wears out.” Daddy pulled out the tape’s insert and spread it out on the table. “Man, I can’t believe he’s really gone.”

Sloan leaned over the table and pointed at the lyrics. “I’m Over You was the first single released. I think it’s my favorite too.”

“Can’t wait to hear this. Every time I listen to these songs, I’m going to think of you, Lo.” Daddy folded the insert back up. “Say, do you remember how much you loved the moon when you were little?”

“The moon?” Sloan shook her head.

“You were an itty-bitty thing. Wanted to see the moon every night. One night, we walked down to the river for a better view. You were so sad because I had to leave the next day for work, so I told you that no matter where I was, we could look up at the same moon.”

Sloan didn’t remember that night, but something struck her now. Her father probably wasn’t going to work the next day. He was going back to his family.

“So," he continued, “this is sort of the same. I can play this tape and know you’re in your room playing it too. It’s even called I Wonder Do You Think of Me. And we’ll always think of each other when we hear it. Music has always been a part of us, a part of our bond. We can feel songs in our souls.”

Sloan crossed her arms. “Do you think of Ridge too? Do you miss him?”

He flinched backward. “Of course I do."

“You never talk about him.”

“It’s just hard.” Daddy scrubbed a hand over his face. “But we can talk about Ridge. We can talk about any—”

“It’s fine, Sloan said. She didn’t really want to talk about Ridge either, didn’t want to be sad, but sometimes, she felt like everyone was forgetting him. “Anyway, you can tell me your favorite song on the album when I come Friday.”

“Of course.” He forced a smile, but Sloan saw sadness in his eyes. “How’s your mother, Sloan?”

Sloan cringed. She hated when he asked about Mom. It was a topic that always ruined a pleasant visit.

Sloan shrugged. “She mostly reads and talks to Libby. She’s looking for a job, I guess.”

“I wish she’d talk to me. It’s killing me. I’ve written a few letters. Has she gotten them?”

Sloan shrugged. “She’s never said anything. Have you written me any?”

“No, I didn’t want you to get in trouble. Since you’re still calling Anna, I assume your mother doesn’t realize you’re visiting?”

Sloan slid down the chair. “I’m scared to tell her. She got mad when I first asked to visit.”

“She’ll come around. Give her a little time. And if you two ever need anything, call Walt. Promise?”

Sloan noticed the guard walking back toward their table. Seeing him approach gave Sloan the same feeling as when Just the Ten of Us ended on Fridays. That meant the night was over. Daddy had an erratic schedule, but he always tried to be home Friday evenings for pizza and two hours of television shows they loved. Television shows that would be off the air when Daddy was out of this place. The realization brought tears to Sloan’s eyes.

“Hey, don’t cry.” He stood and hugged her. “I’ll see you Friday. We’ll talk about the new album.”

Friday. They’d still be together Friday night. It wasn’t exactly the ABC lineup and Pizza Hut, but it was better than nothing.

Sloan cried the entire way home. Anna stayed quiet but kept the tissues coming. She glanced in the rearview mirror every few miles.

Sloan was so upset, she didn’t notice Anna pull onto her street. “Stop!” Sloan screamed.

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