Page 50 of Close to Falling

“Yeah.”

“I’m probably going to be working like crazy and then fall into a coma,” I say.

“But you have to eat at some point.”

I laugh. “Got me there.”

“Come on. Friends eat together, right?”

“Yeah,” I agree, looking down the street. “Where would you like to go?”

“I’ll call you around six-thirty.”

“Okay, let me give you my number.”

“I’ve already got it.”

“What? How?” I ask, but then realize. “Landon?”

“Yeah.”

“How long have you had it?’ I question.

“I’ve nearly called you a thousand times over the last few years, B.”

“Wow, that long, huh?” I say, deadpan.

“I’m sorry. I just didn’t know…”

“It’s fine, River. I understand. I’ll see you tomorrow.” I shut the door, not waiting for him to reply. Climbing the stairs, I slide my door open and head inside, thinking he has had my number all this time and didn’t try to reach out once. Not once. I toss my keys and phone onto the counter before walking to the bathroom. Removing my clothes, I slip into the shower and wash away the day.

Chapter Twenty-One

RIVER DAWSON

The force of the door shutting tells me she is pissed. I get it. I would be, too, but what the hell was I supposed to say to her? I’m working a shit job, no better off than I was before prison? Fuck that. I wanted to be better when I talked to her again. I walk back down the stoop, grabbing a smoke from my pocket. At least I got her to agree to be friends. I laugh, fucking friends. This woman has no clue. Inside my truck, I grab my phone from my console, searching the name I’ve looked at more times than any other, but never called. I swipe left to leave a message.

It’s River. Save my number.

She doesn’t reply, probably already misplaced her phone again. I toss mine into the passenger seat and head home.

***

After a restless night of sleep and a shower, I leave the house and head to the shop. Parking around back like always, I hear music and smell sawdust as I walk through the door. Rozz looks up from his work and turns the table saw off.

“What’s up, man? How’d it go last night?”

“Could have been worse. How’s the table coming for Mrs. Watson?”

“Good. We’re on schedule.”

“Cool. I’m going to go over a few orders I received yesterday,” I say as I make my way into the office. Sitting down, I move the mouse to wake the computer. I grab my pencil and tap it across the desk as I think about where to take Maddie. I mean, it’s just dinner with B, right? Just two old friends eating. Fuck, who I am kidding? I’m trying to get my girl back. I’ve got to make it nice. But Maddie would be happy with a six-pack and a pizza. That’s old Maddie, though. I don’t know what the woman at the art gallery would want to do. I look back at my computer and see that Mrs. Watson put an order in for chairs. I’ll shoot her an email of the different design choices and then call her to make sure she gets it.

After I hitSend, I look for her number on the bottom of the invoice and dial it. She answers on the third ring.

“Mrs. Watson, this is River Dawson.”

“Oh, hello, son,” she says.

---