Page 11 of Freeing the Wild
“… almost drove right through the garage.”Cole chuckles as he finishes his story about him and his friend from school takinghis dad’s truck for a joyride when they were fifteen.My mama laughs.
“Thank the Lord I didn’t have boys.This one gave me enough of a run for my money.”She hikes her thumb over her shoulder at me.“She was always up to something.”
I smile at her despite the comment.I’m so fucking proud of her.She’s been sober for six months this week and she’s never looked healthier.
“You’re lucky I wasn’t a snitch.Pa would’ve killed you,” Wade says to Cole, leaning to the side to check on Billi in her little bassinet beside the table.She’s oblivious to the noise, sleeping right through it as we finish our dinner.
“You weren’t perfect either.”Cole points to Wade.“Remember when I caught you and Nash drinking Pa’s bourbon before your prom?I was only thirteen, but I knew good extortion material when I saw it.”
Wade chuckles.“No idea what you’re talking about.”
“Sounds like a fun group,” I say, turning to Cole.“But I won’t get to meet this elusive Nash or your sister?”
“No, they’re on a little getaway this week after the summer of planning,” Cole answers.
“A wedding and a festival in just over a month,” Ginger explains as she stands and picks up hers and Cole’s plates.“I think they’re trying to catch up to Wade and Ivy in the baby department.”
“My mama would have a shit-fit if she had two grandbabies in one year,” Cole says, standing to follow Ginger into the open kitchen.
“Dad, that’s the fifth dollar from you today,” Mabel announces from her end of the table.He bends down and places his strong hand on her head before kissing the top of it.
“I don’t have to pay you a dollar when I cuss if you’re sneaking cookies behind me, you little hooligan.We’re even.”
“That’s some bullshit, isn’t it, Mabes?”Wade asks, handing Mabel a dollar from his pocket with a wink.“Your dad’s full of it.”
Mabel smiles a toothy grin and stuffs the dollar in her pocket.
“Can I help?”I ask as everyone starts clearing their plates.Ginger pours herself a drink before turning to my mama.
“Sparkling water, Glenda?”
“You know it.With some cranberry, please,” my mom answers.I look over and study her.Her dark hair is cut short into a bob, and her bright skin makes the blue in her eyes shine.Eyes just like mine.They’re no longer hollow.The life has returned there, and it’s apparent after just a day with her that it isn’t just life back in her eyes.It’s peace.
I reach out and squeeze her hand, my own way of telling her I’m so damn proud of her for not drinking.And I’m so grateful to this family for welcoming her into their midst.I truly believe it’s made all the difference in her success this time around with staying sober.
“Me too,” Ivy calls, picking up a squirmy Billi.She makes her way over to me and pats me on the shoulder.“This is the best part of the night.All the men clean up while we sit on the front porch and gossip.”
“Is this heaven?”I ask to a chorus of laughter.
“Pretty close,” my mama answers.“I’ve never felt so at peace.”
“I can tell, Mama.”I give her a little squeeze.
“Round here we drink our bourbon neat.You good with that, new girl?”Ginger asks, already getting down another crystal glass.
“Hell yes,” I answer.
“Dollar please, new lady,” Mabel says.The room laughs and Cole shakes his head.
“Quite the little entrepreneur you have there,” I tell him as I pull a dollar from my purse and hand it to Mabel.
“Yeah, she’s probably got more money than me.”He chuckles.
“Pleasure doing business with you.”I smile down at her as she takes my dollar.
“The pleasure is mine,” she says, perfectly ladylike, to more laughter.I’ve never felt so at home.
“And stay away from Phil Francis.You’ll know him because he always wears a white t-shirt, and tucks a red bandana in his back pocket,” Ginger snorts, giving me the rundown on the town’s sleazeballs from Ivy’s wraparound porch as I get ready to meet my new bassist.
