Page 28 of Here's to Tomorrow

8

Hudson

I wake up to my phone ringing. I blindly reach over, knocking the framed picture of Joey and me off my bedside table, and grab my phone. Squinting at the bright light, I see I have four missed calls from my mom. I spring out of bed in a panic, thinking something’s wrong with Joey.

“Hello?” Joey answers.

“Joey? You okay, bug?” I ask cautiously.

“I missed you. Why didn’t you come home last night? You’re missing pancakes.”

I wince. “Sorry, Joe. I had a late night. I’m getting up now and I’ll be on my way over soon, I promise.”

I hear my mom shout, “Joey! I told you not to wake him up!”

“But he’s missing pancakes!” Joey answers. “She’s so grouchy sometimes. Hurry please. Love you. Bye.” The line disconnects.

I sigh and pull myself out of bed. I go about my morning shower routine and dress for a day at my mom’s with Joey. Lastly, I grab Rocky—my black Lab—and hit the road.

It’s only a ten-minute drive so I’m pulling into my mom’s driveway in no time. Joey runs out of the house to greet me wearing a mismatched set of pajamas.

“You’re here! Finally!” So dramatic.

“Hey, kiddo! You save me any pancakes?” I ask, lifting her into my arms for a big bear hug. Rocky tries to squeeze his way in.

“No. I was starving.”

Setting Joe down, I laugh and make my way into my mom’s house, calling Rocky in behind me.

“Yo, Eleanor! You better have saved me a big plate!”

“Hudson Michael Tamell! I am your mother. Call me Mom, Mommy, Mama—anything but Eleanor,” she scolds.

“Yeah, Hudson,” Joey pipes up.

I raise my brows at my mom. She shrugs. “Gets it from you.”

“Fair enough.” I take a seat the breakfast bar and fix my gaze on Joey and Rocky, who are still in the hallway rolling around. “So, bug, what do you want to do today?”

“Swimming!” I shake my head no. “Ice skating!” Again, I shake my head no—it’s freaking September. “Hiking!” I shrug. “I know! The dog park!” This time I nod, and Rocky perks up. “Yes! Rocky, we’re going to the dog park! Come with me while I get dressed.” They go racing up the stairs.

“Don’t run, Joe!” I yell after them. “Damn kids.”

My mom snorts and mumbles an agreement. “Be careful with those two today. They’re a handful. Joey’s been hyper as hell all morning,” she warns.

“Oh boy.”

“Oh boyis right. You’re in for a long day. Now, how many pancakes do you want?”

I give her my trademark grin that’s gotten me out of a lot of trouble over the years. “Six.”

“Dammit, Hudson.” She groans, knowing she’ll have to make more batter. “You’re lucky I love you.”

I get up and walk over to the stove where she is, planting a big wet kiss on her cheek. “I love you too,Eleanor.”

She whacks me with a spatula. “You better go check on Joey and Rocky. I told you they’ve been trouble all morning. I came downstairs this morning to find them playing in Rocky’s water bowl. There were puddles all over the kitchen.”

I make my way up the stairs and creep down the hallway. As I approach Joey’s room, I can hear her talking.

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