Page 31 of Butterfly Effect

Shame fills my breath. I avert my eyes off-camera. It’s been ages. Dad lets out a long-winded breath and changes the subject, thank God. The sweet man shakes off his disappointment. “What’s up?”

“I’m at the airport, about to board.”

“Very nice. Appreciate you always calling before. Where are you headed?”

“Vancouver.” Metal clinks in the background as he sets the phone down. “How’s the nursery?”

“It’s alright.” Dad steps aside and extends an arm. “The mums came in. Hoping to sell lots of fall foliage and hay bales before cuetlaxochitl season.”

“What about staffing?”

He hisses. “Dicey. It’s hard to find reliable help.”

“You mean you want to do it all yourself.”

“It’s easier this way.”

“Dad. You’re supposed to be slowing down.”

“And do what? I love being in the greenhouse.”

“I know, and I’m not trying to keep you from it, but” —my fingers find a tense spot between my eyebrows and press— “I wish you’d get someone to do the heavy lifting at least. How about when I come home for Thanksgiving?—”

“Ah, tut-tut-tut.” He waves a hand to deny me. “Home is for rest. Will you bring that new boyfriend of yours along?”

No way.

“I wasn’t planning on?—”

“Come on, bala. Why not?”

The genuine excitement in his pale blue eyes is hard to crush.

“Can’t promise anything. I don’t know if he’s playing that weekend or not?—”

“Details. You’ll figure it out. Man, he must be something special for you to?—”

Something special, alright. A special pain in my ass.

“Hey, Tez!” Someone calls in the background. “I’ve got the truck out front.”

“Be right there!” His eyes furrow with apology. “I gotta go. Crowley’s here to get some new tree saplings. We’ll talk later?”

“Yep. Love you, Dad.”

“Love you, bala.”

He disappears from the screen. It darkens to reveal my pathetic reflection in its wake.

Wade Boehner is gonna meet my dad.

I am so fucked.

Chapter 7

You Have Daddy Issues

Wade

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