Page 54 of Until Landon
It sounds like a throw away comment, but I think it is her way of getting him to consider cleaning up. Maybe I am reading too much into things.
It has probably been a long time since a woman saw him that way. He pretends she is bullshitting the compliment, but I know different. There was a time he was handsome in a rugged, biker way. And I suppose women found him cool and even sexy. Mom did. That was before time and loneliness altered the picture. He could not care less about those things now. As evidenced by the faded T-shirt and the general dishevelment that never was before.
I deposit the grocery bag inside the door on top of the table. Then rejoin the sky watchers. Pulling her chair close to mine, I take her hand. Fingers braid.
“Where’s the B Boys?”
Dad’s hand comes up and sweeps the vista.
“They’re running the range. Barney’s adventuresome nature has rubbed off on Biscuit. I don’t mind.”
“I hope not,” I say, suddenly aware too much time has passed since they took off. “Barney doesn’t know when to quit.”
“So tell me about the proposition. What are you two cooking up?”
“I need your help. None of these other people know how to handle my bullshit.”
“Oh, and I do?”
“Yep.”
“I consider that a great compliment, Ronnie.”
“We were thinking, if you agree, we could hire you to stay here and take over Dad’s rehab. You know, make sure he’s following the doctor’s instructions for therapy. The meds. Also, just oversee things while I’m at the bar, or working the property. Is that something you would consider?”
Dad jumps in before Kim can answer.
“There’s not too much in it for you. You’d have to cook. The pay will be rotten and I can get a little grumpy, like my son. Not as bad, but it happens occasionally.”
“Gee, don’t sugarcoat it, Dad.”
“So we need to know what it would take for you to say yes.”
Kim takes a few beats to consider her options.
“A few things. One, and this is the most important, there has to be a lot less yelling. Not at me, but at each other.”
Dad and I look at her like two schoolboys being called out for fighting at recess. Each blaming the other with their eyes.
“It’s our way,” he says.
“I noticed. And I think it’s ridiculous.”
“Ha!” I add the proper sound effect.
“I have no interest in living in a home that tolerates bad behavior. I didn’t put up with it with Hunter, and I won’t with you two. You love each other. It’s beneath you to show the disrespect.”
Guess she told us. It settles in my mind for awhile before responding.
“We’ll try. It isn’t a dealbreaker. Right, Dad?”
“Break a lifelong habit? Sure. Give us an hour or two.”
Kim stares him down and it looks like she has another card up her sleeve.
“So Victoria put up with you two going at each other? That surprises me.”
Oh, snap. She’s got him there.
