Page 28 of Irons

“I forgot about that, all the guys did. If they saw her now they wouldn’t know what to think. She’s really pregnant, like huge and it’s funny. Her husband follows her around like a lost puppy. All the guys wait on her and treat the whole pregnancy like it’s their responsibility to take care of her.” I was smiling, wondering how Travis was with her. I’d never forget when I hung out with the wives at the club on ladies night. They said Travis was just as hot as Creed and all the girls wanted him, but he kept his distance. The women tried to rank the guys by hotness and Creed, Travis, Mike, and Magnus were tied at number one because they couldn’t decide. I couldn’t imagine what Travis looked like in person and couldn’t wait to see for myself.

I heard the front door fly open and someone running inside. “Dad! I’m going to play basketball! I’ll be back before supper!” I could hear my brother’s book bag hit the floor then the door slammed back shut. I looked at Dad and he was shaking his head.

“Wow, I’m offended. I always had to finish my homework before I could go out and play.”

He chuckled. “He has way too much energy and needs to burn some of that off before he can sit still long enough to do it. Besides, I was more than aware that you never did your homework first if Travis got off the bus with you. Heather should be home soon, so I guess I should get supper started.” He stoodbut looked down at me. “It sounds like an amazing opportunity, but I just wish you’d settle a little closer to home.”

That was always his argument. He hated that I was so far away.

“I know, dad, but you are busy, and I need to establish a life of my own. I’ll visit whenever possible, I promise.” I stood and kissed his cheek before going upstairs to work on my resignation letter.

Once in my room, I peeked out the window and saw my brother playing with the neighbor. The sight brought back memories.

Eighteen Years Ago

“Get down from there, Wrenly!”

“Why? Are you too scared to come up after me?” I teased him.

Travis was holding both our book bags. “The branches aren’t strong. Come on, I’ll go down to the creek with you if you just come down. I promise.”

“Okay!” I quickly climbed down as he ran up and put our book bags on the porch.

I took his hand and pulled it. “Let’s go!”

He laughed. “Chill out, I’m coming!”

“You’re too slow.”

“I am not!” He defended himself.

Suddenly, I took off running and he chased me. Not only was I faster than him, but I was taller and stronger than him too. He chased me all the way down to the creek and didn’t catch me. He ran up at the perfect time when I jumped off a rock and into the water, which splashed his jeans and shoes.

“You are so dead!” He jumped in after me and chased me up the creek. It wasn’t deep, but I jumped from one rock to another.

“You’re going to slip and get hurt. Slow down!” He yelled after me.

Of course, like always he was right. I slipped, twisted my ankle and then hit my tailbone on another rock.

“Dang it, Wrenly, I told you!” He offered me his hand and pulled me up, but one step on that ankle sent a shock of pain up my leg.

“Ouch!” I almost fell but he caught me, then put my arm around his shoulders and helped me up the bank.

“It hurts.” He helped me sit but I yelped again because my butt hurt when I sat down.

“Just lay back and let me look at your foot.” I laid back in the mud and old leaves and he lifted my leg before he took my shoe and sock off.

“Can you move it?” He asked.

“Yes, it just hurt when I put my weight on it.” I whimpered.

“It looks fine, but we should get you up to the house and put ice on it.” He put my sock on me, and I watched as he took such gentle care of me. He was getting as dirty as me by sitting on the ground with spots of mud under him. I liked how sweet he was always with me and how he was always worried I would get hurt. The sun shined on his almost blond hair, and he was so cute. All the girls in class thought so too. While in class Daphne gave him a note and I was dying to know what it said. She kissed a boy over the summer, and it was like she thought she was the prettiest girl in our school. I did not like the way she actedaround him. It was totally fake, and he acted like she was really weird.

Once he had my sock and shoe on, he helped me up then put my arm around his shoulders. We made it up to Tony’s house and he made me sit on a kitchen chair then went to the fridge for ice.

“Why did Daphne give you a letter today?” I asked as he made an ice pack.

He shrugged. “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

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