Page 22 of More Than Anything

“You too!” Avery called back into the phone as she hung up. Shaking all over with excitement, he tried to think of one person he could call and tell about his unbelievable luck.

And he couldn’t think of a single one. He didn’t know Walter or ReverendPotter well enough to just call them up to chat. The guys were at the bar shooting pool and getting falling-down drunk, and they’d think he was a babbling idiot. Danette? Good lord no. There wasn’t one soul in that town who’d welcome a call like that from him. In that moment, the guy who’d never felt lonely in his life was all alone. Then he thought of someone and hit the contact in his phone.

A familiar voice answered, “Hello?”

“Hey! What’s happening?”

“Avery? Hey, man! How’s it going?”

“It’s going pretty damn good. You won’t believe where I am and what I’m doing.”

Jason laughed. “Try me! Nothing you do surprises me.”

Avery told his former roommate everything going on in his life, and he was relieved at how good it felt to connect with someone from back home who wouldn’t judge him. He’d forgotten how easy Jason was to talk to. When the conversation started winding down, Jason said, “Can I ask you something?”

“Sure.”

“You’re really happy there, aren’t you?”

Avery smiled. “I am. I’m away from Ben and Shannon and that whole thing.”

He could practically hear the smile on Jason’s face coming through the phone. “I can tell. Before you left here, you were so bitter that it was hard to be around you. I’m glad something’s finally going your way.”

“Yeah. It feels good to finally have something going right.”

“Hey, I should come see you sometime!” Jason exclaimed.

“I’d like that! You’re welcome any time, but I’d wait a few weeks. The kitchen’s torn out now and it’s a mess. But I’d say in another month, most of my renovations should be done and it’ll look really nice. Then yeah?by all means, come and see me.”

“You know I will.”

“Oh, and Jason?”

“Yeah?” his friend answered.

“Don’t tell my mom where I am. I don’t want anyone to know until I’ve got the house finished and everything all set. Then I’ll invite her here if she wants to come. But until everything’s settled, I don’t want her interfering. Know what I mean?”

“My lips are sealed, bro. Not a word,” Jason assured him.

“Great. God, it’s good to hear your voice,” Avery said, meaning every word.

“Same here, man. Sorry I haven’t called you, but I got the feeling you wanted to be left alone.”

Avery sighed. “Yeah. But that feeling’s wearing off. Finally.”

“Good!” Jason laughed. “Catch up with you soon?”

“You know it! Thanks for listening, bud,” Avery said, a smile on his face.

“You’re welcome. Thanks for calling. Talk to you soon.”

“Talk to you soon. Bye.” Avery hit END and put the phone down. God, it had been good to talk to Jason. He sat for a few minutes, contemplating calling his mother, and then decided against it. She’d just give him hell, and he didn’t need that. Worse yet, she’d call Ben and tell him all about what Avery was doing, and he didn’t want any of them knowing anything about his goings-on. It was none of their business. None at all.

Avery sat down on the front porch glider and drank his beer. The sun was going down and it was peaceful, the most peaceful place he’d ever been in his life. Out across the pasture he could hear the cattle lowing back and forth to each other, and he smiled. It was so different from Clarksville. It was just what he needed.

His soul felt at home.

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