Page 25 of Betrayal & New Beginnings

“She said her brother was in your little group ofArmyfriends too,” my mother commented, which made me chuckle at how she labeled the guys in my squadron, as though it was just a little boys club who hung out overseas, playing cards and passing the time.

“Yeah, her brother isJack,”Iconfirmed to my mom, who no doubt knew which one he was since she always asked about all of them and even sent extra stuff for each of them when she would send me a care package.

“Oh, he’s the one who lost his parents and grandmother, yes?” she asked, pausing what she was doing with a sad look on her face.

I wasn’t surprised she remembered because that was my mom.Shewas great at remembering all the details about people.

I nodded at her but felt the need to change the subject becauseIdidn’t wantElliewalking back in here and thinking we were talking about her family behind her back.

“Where isDad?”Iasked, realizing he was nowhere to be found.

“I’ll allow that diversion, only becauseIneed you to get him,” my mom explained. “He’soutside tinkering in his garden again.Iasked him to grab a few more tomatoes for the salad, but that was thirty minutes ago.Whydon’t you go grab him and bring him in.Food’salmost ready anyway.”

I wasn’t going to waste an opportunity to get away from this fierce interrogation, soImade my way outside, looking for my dad.Mymom was right.Hewas crouched down pruning some of his various vegetable plants whenIwalked up beside him.

“HeyDad.Momsaid you were out heretinkeringin your garden andI’mto collect you and bring you in for lunch,”Isaid with a grin, knowing my mom’s words would get to him.

“Ugh.”Hesighed shaking his head. “Mendo not tinker.Iswear your mom said that just to annoy me.”

I laughed, enjoying nettling him on purpose too.

“Good to see you, son,” he said as he got up and brushed the dirt off his hands before coming around to put his hand on my shoulder and clap my back. “Neverknow whether to expect you for these things since you’ve got the new business.”

I knew he didn’t mean it in a rude way, soItried not to take offense to his comment.

“Yeah, it’s been busy, butIshould come more often.Sorry,”Imuttered.

“No need to apologize.Iget it,” he sympathized. “It’stough getting a business up and running from scratch.”

I nodded as he handed me a handful of tomatoes from the garden.

“Take those in and add them to your mom’s salad,I’mgoing to go change my shirt sinceIgot dirt all over it fixing my babies.”

I smiled at my dad’s use of the term babies for his garden.He’dstruggled at first with retirement, but this garden project really gave him something to do, and he enjoyed the fruits of his labor being used for my mom’s cooking.

AsIwalked back into the kitchen my mom was the only one in there, and she was carrying a dish in her hands.

“Oh good.Rinsethose and put them right in the salad on the counter and then please bring it out to the dining room table,” my mom said. “We’reready to eat.”

I did what she asked and realized my mistake the momentIwalked into the dining room seeing myniece and nephew sitting on either side ofEllie, which meantIwould have to sit across from her.Isat down, looking over at her to hear my nephew rambling on and on aboutMinecraft.Ihighly doubtedEllieknew about anything he was talking about, but she sat there and gave him her full attention while he talked about creepers and endermen in great detail.

She was good with kids and would make a great mother someday.Atinge of pain in my chest hit me at the realization that for that to happen, she would have to be with another man, andIhated that that thought bothered me.

My dad and brother-in-law sat on either side of me and asked me about the security business.Everyonce and in a while,Iwould look up and seeElliestaring at me and listening to whatIwas saying.Iwas sure she was curious since her brother would be working for us too when he came home.

After we finished the meal, the banter between everyone was good, andIrealized how wellElliefit right in with everyone.Itmade me want to make more of an effort to be here, thoughI’dwantEllieto be here too, and that made me pause since my family would certainly get the wrong idea ifIkept bringing her back every meal.

As we finished up,CharliebeggedEllieto come see hisMinecraftcard collection, which she agreed to, likely under obligation and duress.

Haley informed the rest of us that we must come see the unicorn section of the garden my dad made her.Weall walked outside to the backyard to check it out.

As we were listening toHaley’sentertaining explanation about how unicorns are the best and they need a special section of the garden just for themselves,Ifelt my phone ring in my pocket and saw it wasTammycalling.Great.Someonehad likely called in sick, and she was calling to ask me what to do.

“HeyTammy,”Isaid.

“Hey, boss-man.Everythingis good here, but you said you wanted me to let you know if that man called again forEllie,” she said.

I ground my teeth, feeling my anger rise.

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