Page 15 of Why We Break

“Yeah, I have more than I know what to do with,” I tell them with a laugh. “So, since you’re here, who wants to help me get him back in his pen?”

CHAPTER 12

WILL

“Hey, I’m here to see Arthur Scott,” I tell the front desk at the nursing home.

I’ve come every Wednesday evening to visit Mr. Scott since he was admitted last year. I’m pretty sure neither of us has ever mentioned it to anyone else, but I don’t think we’ve missed a week yet. Outside of Huey, Mr. Scott has been the most positive male role model I’ve ever had, and I look forward to our weekly meetings.

“He’s waiting on you in his room; you can go on in,” the receptionist tells me with a wide smile.

Making the familiar journey down the halls, I wave at a few of the other residents I recognize before knocking on his door.

“Come on in, son,” Mr. Scott says as I open the door and find him pulling out the box of checkers he keeps stashed away for our visits. “You ready to lose again?”

“Oh, old man, I think you’re forgetting that I happen to be the reigning checkers champion around here,” I say with a laugh before pulling out the chair across from him. After settling in, I help him place the pieces on the board as we sit in comfortable silence.

We make our first few moves before he asks, “So is this week’s game looking like it’s gonna be any less dramatic than last weeks?”

I let out a groan and run my hand over my face before responding. “Damn, I hope so. I don’t know how many more of those I have in me.”

“Yeah I heard it was a bit of a mess,” he says, jumping two of my pieces and claiming them to start his stack. “But really, Han mentioned it was Homecoming when she came by earlier this week. Who are y’all playing?”

“Brookside,” I tell him, looking at the board and trying to decide which move will be best. “I can’t believe we only have two more home games left in the regular season. This year is flying by.”

“That happens when you start getting old,” Mr. Scott teases, and I roll my eyes in his direction.

“Hmm, tell me about it, old man,” I quip, jumping one of his pieces.

“So, what else is new? Come on, you know I need some entertainment in this place,” he asks, and I have to fight the urge to laugh.

“Now, Mr. Scott, you can act however you like, but you and I both know you love being close to Gladis,” I tease, and he lets out a laugh at that.

“Damn, you and Hannah both have thrown that at me this week. But you’re right. I don’t mind it here. But I’d like it a lot more if I didn’t feel so guilty for leaving Hannah with that damn farm. I know how much work it was for me. And I had help from the two of you if I needed it. Not to mention that I didn’t have a full-time job,” he tells me, and I don’t miss the guilt on his face.

“Oh, don’t start all that,” I tell him, knowing Hannah would break at hearing his guilt. “You and I both know Hannah’s one of the toughest people in the world, and she’d beat both of our asses for talking like she couldn’t do something.”

“I know, you’re right. But I do have a favor to ask of you,” he says, suddenly looking way more serious than normal.”

“Uhh, sure, whatever you need,” I tell him, shifting in my seat.

“Can you just do me a favor and promise me you’ll keep an eye on her? When she came to visit me earlier this week, she just looked so defeated. I’ve tried to get her to let me come home so I can take care of some of that shit, but we both know I’m not nearly enough help, even if I was healthy. And I know we usually just talk about football or town drama when you come, but to be honest, I can’t stand the thought of her fighting all of this by herself. I know it’s not a fair ask, but please just promise you’ll make sure she’s not taking on too much.”

I think about earlier this week, and all of the chaos that was ongoing when we pulled up to Falling Oaks Farm, and I try to hide my expression of guilt. It’s clear Hannah’s doing everything she can to keep everything afloat but it doesn’t seem to be working.

“You know, that ask would probably be a hell of a lot easier if your granddaughter wasn’t so damn stubborn,” I joke, not sure what else to say. “Plus, I’m pretty far down her list of favorite people, so I’m not sure she’ll even take my help. She kinda hates me.”

Mr. Scott smiles and shakes his head at me. “Listen, son, I don’t know what happened to you two after that summer and to tell you the truth, I don’t want to know. And while I know that my granddaughter can be a real pain in the ass if she wants to be, I know for a fact that she doesn’t hate you. She just needs someone that she can’t push away. She’ll try, Lord knows she tried with me for years after her momma left, but eventually, she let me in. Just don’t let her fight whatever this is by herself.”

I blow out a breath as I take in his words. I’ve been visiting for years, but he’s never asked me anything about Hannah, and I don’t miss the guilt in his voice. “Sure, Mr. Scott, I promise.”

Now to just figure out how in the hell I’m gonna keep my word on that one.

I’m still thinkingabout Mr. Scott’s request the next night, as Seth and I work on the fence at Hannah’s farm.

“Will, did you hear me, man?” Seth asks while I hold the wire of the fence line straight for him to replace the post.

I blink at him, trying to figure out what he just said. Shaking my head, I reply, “Sorry. I don’t know what that was. What’d you say?”

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