Page 101 of Until Landon
Hands grasp the steering wheel and touch the turn signal.
“Look here, Dad.”
I open the glove compartment and watch his face. He leans on the wheel and starts crying again. I pat his back.
“You’re killing me, man!”
“You big crybaby.”
“The Kleenex and candy,” he says, shaking his head.
I knew he’d like that touch.
“You remembered.”
“Of course I did.”
He takes my hand and gives it a squeeze.
“Where did you find her?”
“Kentucky.”
“The same guy still had it?”
“His family. I’ll tell you all about it later. Let’s drive back and blow everybody’s mind. They’re waiting! Back her out!”
I stretch out for the trip and right before he turns the engine over, he meets my eyes.
“I’ll never forget this, son.”
CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO
Kim
I’m tired tonight. Lifting the broiler pan into the overhead cabinet, I shut the door and get down from the step stool. The cleanup has nothing to do with my lack of energy. Plenty of the party stragglers jumped in to get it done. What Iamtired of, is thinking. I’m drained worrying about the leavings. Landon from Smyrna, Hunter from school. They circle each other in my mind.
The ground I stand on feels shaky. Is there going to be an earthquake that takes down what I have built, or are the Earth’s plates going to settle? Only my heart is steady. My heart. Why can’t things be simple?
“Come on. We’re going for a ride.”
Landon takes me by the shoulders, rescuing me from my thoughts and leading me out of the kitchen.
“Wait! I need to put away the rest of the pans!”
“Get the hell out,” Wes says, hands deep in soapy water. “Bing and Hunter are going to dry the rest of these. Get over here!” he yells in the general direction of Ronnie’s TV.
“Just a minute! We’re playing blackjack!”
The boys are not warming to the idea of being productive. They don’t give a flip that Wes used his deep voice for the command.
“Hunter. Get up. Go help Wes.”
Reluctantly he listens to me. As he passes, I hand him the kitchen towel and givethe look.
“I’m going.”
Bing decides not to let his friend take the hit alone, stands and joins him.
