Page 8 of Severed Heart
Stopping, he lifts me above his head and onto his shoulders. I laugh because I know I’m getting too big, but he’s so strong he can still carry me. Everyone says I’m the spitting image of him, and I know I’ll be as strong as him one day. He points toward one of the hills ahead of us. “Straight ahead up that valley—”
“Twelve o’clock,” I tell him, knowing it’ll make him proud.
“Exactly. See that tree line out there?”
“Yes, sir.”
“From twelve o’clock to four o’clock and then all the way to the back of Uncle Grayson’s house, to the road, and back where we’re standing right here.”
“That much is all mine?”
“Yes, son, it will all be yours.”
“Why don’t you want to work on our land? Pawpaw said you didn’t take your share to work it.”
“I guess I wanted to be a Marine more.”
“Do I have to choose?”
“Nah, you can be both if you want.”
“Pawpaw was both,” I tell him.
“Yeah, well, Pawpaw is a better man than me.”
“No way he’s not,” I say, ruffling his hair like he does mine, and he laughs.
“That’s what I’m going to do. I’m going to be a Marine and cowboy, not no friggin’ alfalfa desperado neither.”
“Out of the mouths of babes,” he laughs as he lifts me from his shoulders to stand in front of him. “It’s something I couldn’t manage, but I believe if anyone can do it, it’ll be you. But do me a favor for a bit?”
“What?”
“Stay a boy just a little while longer, for your mom and me? Think you can manage that?”
“If I stay a boy for a bit, can we play catch after dinner?”
“Always the barterer,” he laughs and tugs my ballcap down over my eyes.
“What’s that?”
“Your nature,” he chuckles as I put my hat back right. “And it’s a deal, but try not to break any more of your cousin’s bones this weekend and apologize for cursing in your prayers tonight.”
“K ... so ... are you going to whoop me? Cause Mom told me ’pacifically to stay off the ladder.”
“That’sspecifically, and no whoopin’ today, but now you know better.” He grabs my hand as we walk toward the porch, and I hold it tight. He stares down at me as we walk, and I can tell by his eyes that he’s proud. “Love you, son.”
“Love you too, Daddy.”
We walk a few more steps. “Daddy?”
“Yes?”
“Thanks for saving it for me... the land. I can’t wait to be a Marine and cowboy.”
“Welcome.”
“Hey, Daddy?”
