Page 41 of It Happened Duo

On the way, I called Mom, eager to share the news with someone, and I knew Maisy and Sophie were in classes.

“Flora’s Diner.” Colt’s voice instantly brought a smile to my face.

“Baby brother! It’s Chels.”

“Hey, how’s it going, big city girl?”

“It’s going. How are things with you? How’s the diner?”

“Things are…yeah.” He sighed. Hm. Very ominous. “Listen, Mom’s at a dental appointment. And there’s a lull right now before the lunch rush. I need to talk to you about something. Hang on.”

I waited and could just picture him transferring the call into Mom’s office and shutting the door. Sure enough, when he clicked back onto the line, I heard the familiar squeak of hinges as he closed her door. “You there?”

“I’m here. Tell me what’s going on.” Oh no. Things came in threes, Mom always said. I braced myself. First Rex, then the call with Stanley, and now…?

“Well, I’ve made a decision. I don’t know how anyone will feel about it, but it’s done. I’ve signed on the dotted line,” Colt warned.

“Signed what? What did you do?”

“I’ve been on this health kick, you know, working out a lot. I talk with the owner, Trey of Treyner’s Gym, all thetime. And as I’ve gotten to know him, he shared about his days as a Navy Seal. And, I don’t know. He’s a cool guy. I like the way it sounds. So, I joined up.”

I let the line sit quietly for a moment, trying to understand what he just said. “You joined…the gym?”

“No. I joined the Navy. I report for duty on Valentine’s Day.”

I blinked back the tears, amazed I had any left by now. “Oh, Colt. Mom is going to flip. What if something happens to you?”

“What, like travel the world beyond Holly Creek? Get to learn some cool shit? Meet new people?”

“No, like being sent into a war zone…or something bad happening?”

He sighed. “You worry too much. I’ll be fine. Besides, there’s no sense talking me out of it now. I signed the contract with the devil. The military owns my soul for the next four years. Hey, how do you think I’ll look with a high and tight haircut?” At least his good humor showed up about it. But Mom…once she heard his news, she’d be a basket case.

“When are you planning to tell Mom?”

“I figured at Thanksgiving, when you and Maisy come home for the weekend. Oh hey, I hear Mom’s voice. Don’t tell her, okay?” I heard the door to the office open, and he called to her. “Hey Mom, Chelsea’s on the phone for you.”

“Oh, gimme, gimme,” Mom cried. “My Chelsea-Sunshine girl?”

“Hi, Mom. Miss you. Love you.” I fought back tears once again.

“Oh, darling, how are you?”

“I’m okay. First, how are you?” I bit back my tongue so hard to keep from blurting Colt’s news.

“Wonderful. I just had my teeth cleaned. They’re gleaming.” I could see her running her tongue along the smooth ridges of her white teeth.

“Good. Well, you’ll never believe this, but I’m going to interview this afternoon to be on television for the Morning City Show.”

“Ah!” she screamed. “Our Chelsea is going to be on TV.” She screamed again, sharing the news with whoever was in the diner at the time.

“It’s a cooking segment, but I don’t know yet for sure if I have the job or even if I want to do it.”

“Oh, honey. This is the best news I’ve had all day, and it gives me a good feeling. You know what I think? You’re young, so do the show, and see where it leads. Maybe other opportunities come from it. You never know.” My mother and her eternal basket of sunshine and optimism did my heart good to hear today.

“It is only temporary if I get it. I’ll see how it goes.”

“What’s wrong, dear?” Her knack for sniffing out trouble remained keen. But I couldn’t worry her about me, when she’d soon be worried enough about Colt.

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