Page 102 of Eight Steps to Alpha

Chapter 38

Leavingthe apartment that evening was the hardest thing he’d ever done.

But Fe was right, he needed to forget about last weekend. But it wasn’t just last weekend. He’d have to forget much more than that. Especially all that happened over the past four weeks.

He followed the GPS toward Mary’s house, pulled in front of her apartment, and shifted to park. Colton’s words the night before echoed through his consciousness, and he wasn’t able to shake them. Did his brother really think he’d ever hurt Fe? Did he really think he was capable?

He stared at the phone on his dash thinking about his father. About his senior year of high school, and all the dozens of applications. “Search far and wide, because you’re not staying here. I won’t have it.” His father’s words had cut him deep. So deep, he could hardly look at him after that.

When the acceptance letters came, he was given three choices—all of which were far away from Texas. “I’m buying your ticket out of here, Elliot. Tell me where you want to go.”

He remembered looking up to his mother’s eyes and finding crying crying, but there were no words of support. She didn’t want him to stay either. Two weeks after graduation, he was on a plane, a duffle bag stowed in the overhead compartment, and nothing else.

He didn’t even realize he made the call until his mother answered. “Hello?”

He squeezed his eyes shut and leaned his head back against the head rest.

“Hey, Mom… Is it too late?”

There was some movement on the other side of the receiver, and she clicked off the TV. “Oh no, honey. It’s good to hear your voice. I spoke to Colton yesterday. I’m so glad you guys are getting along.”

His lip lifted in a grin. “Colton said that?”

“Well yes, honey. Is it not true?”

He laughed. “Oh no, we’re getting along fine, don’t worry.”

“Oh good, because you know how you are your brother can be.”

“Yeah, I know.” He was quiet a moment, but then he scratched the back of his head. “Hey mom, is uh, is Dad there?”

She went quiet a minute, and he could imagine what she was thinking. He hadn’t talked to his father in years. Not so much as a simple hello. “Yes, of course.” She stammered out. “Let me…let me just go get him.”

Elliot took a deep breath, lulled his head back to his shoulders, and waited for his father to pick of the line.

It was a long minute before he answered, his voice husky, thick, and raw. “Son?” His voice groggy, like he’d just woken up.“Everything okay? Do you need money?”

Elliot wasn’t sure if he should laugh or cry. This was the first he’d called his father since the funeral, and his first response was to offer money. “Everything’s fine, Dad.” He rubbed hard over his eyelids suddenly having a headache. “I just haven’t heard your voice in a while…I thought—I thought I’d say hi.”

His dad was quiet for a moment, then his husky drawl came through the receiver. “It’s good to hear your voice, Elliot.”

His father’s baritone wavered, and Elliot realized for the first that this was as difficult for his farther as it was for him. He sensed the happiness, the sadness, the emotion in his father’s voice, and it shook him hard. For the first time, he saw his father in a different light. The guy who always tried to do what was right, who provided for his family. He worked his hardest, served his country, married his high school sweetheart. Then later, raised a child that wasn’t his own.

“I was thinking… Will you and Mom be home for Christmas? Maybe I could come for a visit?”

“Yes, yes, we’ll be home. Your mother—” He paused. “We would love that.”

“Me too.”

They’d lost so much time. Lost so many moments, it was hard to think of something to say. “How’s work, Dad? Is the shop doing well?”

His father’s voice relaxed a little, as he told him about a few younger men he’d hired to take over. He then told him about the other shops that had opened in town, the weather, the politics.

“Sounds like things haven’t changed much.”

“They haven’t.” But he could hear the smile in his father’s voice as he looked over to the clock. Realizing it was already five after, he sat up. “Hey, Dad, it was great talkin’ to you, but I really gotta go. Can I call you later?

“Sure thing, son.”

---