Page 11 of Older Cowboy

“Sometimes you have to approach things like this like ripping off a band aid. Just be upfront and firm,” her dad advised.

“If I were you, I’d pull Callie aside and inform her before anyone else in the office knows. This can serve as both a warning and a method of feeling her out. If she reacts poorly, you can comfort her while staying resolved to leave. But at least she won’t feel blindsided.”

“Like Tim and Julie will?”

“Well, are you concerned about Tim and Julie’s feelings?” her mother countered, and the truth was, not as much. She said so. “Then, talk to Callie. See what she says and let that inform the rest of how you handle things.”

Still not sure what she should do, Erika swapped out subjects.

“So, Nikki and Bruce told me the falling out of the silver maple story again. It was just as fascinating and astonishing as always.” Her mom and dad exchanged a look, one she couldn’t help but notice. “What was that?”

“What was what?” her dad asked, no longer meeting her gaze.

“That look you just shared with Mom. What’s going on?”

“Nothing’s going on,” he claimed, but something about the tone of his voice caused her not to believe him.

“Come on. Might as well come out with it.”

Yet it was her mother who addressed her rather than her father. She even patted her hand. “Look, honey, it’s seriously admirable how dedicated a daughter-in-law you’ve been. You needed them, and they needed you. You’ve consistently been there for them. But don’t you think that maybe it’s time for you to start putting a bit of distance between them and you?”

Erika sat up. “Please don’t start this up again.”

Her mother looked downright miserable as she grimaced at her father. “I’m sorry to have to say this, but it’s time, honey. Past time. Nikki and Bruce are good people, but they’ve locked themselves in the past and made it their own personal prison. We don’t want that for you.”

Erika shook her head at what her mom seemed to be saying. The Cantrells were only doing what made sense to them. Just like she was. “I think saying they’re locked in the past is way overstating things.”

“Maybe it is,” her father took up the narrative. “But maybe it isn’t. From our side of the table, they haven’t moved on from their son’s death. And Erika, we’re afraid you haven’t, either.”

“I’ve moved on,” she protested.

“Yes, in your career, you’re making fantastic strides, and your mother and I are so proud of you we could burst. But you haven’t dated much, honey. And no one you’ve attempted it with has stuck.”

“So?” Erika suddenly felt like a petulant teenager and altered her tone. “I appreciate you guys trying to look out for me, but the truth is that I have dated. Those men just weren’t a good fit.”

All two of them.

One had taken her out to dinner and the other one, bowling. She barely spoke to either man and when the second one tried to kiss her, she dragged herself away from him, leaving him right there at the bowling alley. But her parents didn’t need to know that.

“That’s fine,” her mom said, “But how long ago was that?”

“I don’t know.” Erika shrugged. “A year or so?”

“Try five. That was five years ago,” her dad said, and she stared at him. That couldn’t be right. “And Blake’s been gone for sixteen. Sixteen years, Erika. Isn’t it time to let him go?”

She stood all at once and even before she’d absorbed the fact that she’d jumped to her feet in the first place. Erika shoved her chair back from the table, creating a horrible grating sound as the chair legs rubbed across their wooden floor. Taking her now empty plate, she rushed it over to the dishwasher along with her cup.

“Dinner was fabulous. Thank you both for having me over.”

“Honey, you don’t have to go,” her mother stated, standing as well, but that was cardinally untrue. If she didn’t go, Erika knew she’d say something she’d regret.

“I have more studying and an early morning tomorrow. You know how it is,” she said without glancing toward either parent.

“I’m sorry, Erika, if I upset you,” her dad said. “But we hate the idea of you freezing yourself like this, of you becoming stagnant in your personal life. We care about you. We care about your happiness. Even if you don’t.”

“I do care about my happiness,” she snapped, unable to help herself. “Why would you even say that?”

“Because you stay so alone all the time. It’s work and classes. Then more work and classes.”

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