Page 71 of Memphis

“Hunky-dory.”

He was lying straight to my face.

And it didn’t feel like it was the first time he’d done it.

In fact, it felt like he’d done it many times before.

It was too easy for him, and that gutted me. It also made me wonder who else he’d been lying to. I felt utterly defeated as I told him, “Okay, Dad. Just know that I’m always here if you need me.”

“And I’m always here for you. Even when you don’t think I am.” He gave me a warm smile as he added, “Now, finish your dinner before it gets cold.”

As we sat there, eating and talking about anything but his troubles, I couldn’t help but wonder what was really going on with him. I began to fear that it was more than just his money troubles and marital issues, but I didn’t know what else to do. He wouldn’t open up to me, but it wouldn’t be long before I discovered just how much trouble my father was really in.

Memphis

“I can’t tell you how good it is to have you back.” There was no missing the emotion in my father’s eyes as he added, “It just wasn’t the same around here without you.”

“It’s good to know that I was missed ‘cause I sure missed being here.”

“I was worried it was going to take longer for you to get back on your feet.”

“I had a lot of help, and I don’t just mean the doctors and Jess. I couldn’t have done it without you and the guys.”

“And Antonia.”

“Yeah, I’m still trying to wrap my head around that whole thing.”

“What do you mean?”

“I can’t figure out how she knew to come when she did or why she stayed after I acted like such an ass.” I shook my head, pretending I didn’t have my suspicions about Dad’s involvement in getting Antonia to come. “And she didn’t just stay for a couple of days. She stayed for the long haul.”

“Are you fishing here? Cause we both know she stayed because she cares about you.”

“Maybe. But maybe there’s more to it than that.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know.” I looked him dead in the eye as I said, “Maybe her dad’s money troubles.”

“I don’t know what one would have to do with the other, but I do know this.” He lifted his beer as he continued, “You don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. That girl helped get you back here with us, and I will be forever grateful for that.”

“I’m grateful, too. I’m grateful for all of it.” I lifted my beer and smiled. “Here’s to possums and back roads. May they forever steer clear from my path.”

“Amen to that.”

Dad and I finished our beer and shared another. Then, Ghost and Goose came over, and we shared a couple more. Since I’d had so many, I decided to stay the night at the clubhouse. I went down to my room and crawled into bed.

I felt like I’d just fallen asleep when Seven started banging on my door. “Memphis!”

“Hmmm.”

“Yo! Memphis! Get your ass up!”

“Yeah, yeah. I hear ya.” I rolled over and groaned, “What do ya want?”

“Prez is calling church.”

“But the sun’s barely up.”

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