Page 41 of Waiting for Redemption

I’m halfway to Hendrix’s school when I realize I don’t own a car seat. After making a pit stop at the nearest store to grab one, ensuring it looks almost identical to the one I’ve seen in the back of Ruby’s car, I install it and book it to the school to pick him up. While sitting in the pickup line I start overthinking things and get nervous that Hendrix won’t want to ride with me. I’m not even sure what the circumstances are to explain why I’m here instead of Betty, but when he sees my truck and a smile spreads across his face, all my worries fade away.

“Tank!” he yells, as he runs up to the door. His teacher helps him in and gives me a curt smile that rubs me in all the wrong ways.

“Hey little man, how was school?” I ask, watching him throw his stuff into the floorboard.

“It was good. I got to help pass out snacks today,” he says, pulling his seatbelt on and clicking it into place.

“Heck yeah. That’s like one step down from being a teacher.” I give him a playful smile over my shoulder, making his face completely light up.

“Why are you picking me up? Are we going to play soccer?” I laugh at the way he connects our interactions, but it also gives me an idea.

“You know what, that sounds like a great idea. Let me call your mom and see if that’s cool with her.” Hendrix nods his head, excited by the idea.

I pull into a parking space and pick up my phone to dial the bar.

“Chattahoochies, what’s your poison?”

That’s always been my favorite line when she answers the phone.

“Hey, it's me.”

“Tank? What’s wrong? Is Hendrix okay?” she asks in a panic. I can hear just how loud the bar is in the background and she wasn’t lying, they’re fucking slammed.

“Yeah, yeah. Everything is fine. Listen, I know you’re insanely busy there so I was just gonna see if I could take him to the park for a while instead of bringing him there?”

“Well…” she trails off, contemplating my offer.

“Look, I’ll do whatever you want. I just know he’d probably be bored in Max’s office and I wouldn’t want you worrying about him while you’re working. Plus I still have the soccer stuff in my truck and he asked if we could play,” I finish, watching as Hendrix waits patiently for an answer.

“Are you sure? I don’t want to put you out on your day off.”

“Are you kidding? This is much better than what I had planned.”Nothing.

“Okay. if you’re sure that would actually really help me out. Thanks, Tank.” I can almost hear the appreciative smile on her face.

“No problem, Honey.”

“Let’s go play some soccer.” The enthusiasm in my voice sends Hendrix into a fit of excitement.

“Yessss!”I laugh as we pull out of the parking lot.

“Tank? Why do you call mommy, Honey?” Hendrix asks, giving me a curious look through the mirror.

“Well, becauseIthink your mom is as sweet as honey. Don’t you?” He smiles at me so big his dimple is showing more than ever. He’s a little young for me to divulge that it’s because her eyes, when in the right lighting, are the perfect honey color, and her voice is just as soothing.

“Yeah! She’s the sweetest. Like sugar. Hey, you could call her that too! Or chocolate. I love chocolate. Do you like chocolate, Tank?”

“Yeah, buddy. I like chocolate too.” He keeps naming every candy and sweet thing his little mind can conjure up, making me belly laugh as we walk over to the soccer goals.

* * *

Ruby

How’s it going? I’m so sorry. Betty had to cancel at the last minute cause she’s sick. You can still bring him here if you want.

Me

Nah, it’s going great. We played soccer for a while and now we’re at Spur’s getting some food.

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