Page 98 of Until Landon
“You look ten years younger.”
“Only ten?”
“Okay. Fifteen.”
“Let’s get you a drink. Where were you? I saw you coming from the garage.”
Oh shit. Think. Think.
“No. We were just walking the property.”
Lame. But he is too excited to investigate further or pick up the lie in my voice. We start walking toward the van that just now made it here.
He says straining his neck to see.
“Now who’s this? Is that Frank driving?”
“Some more friends of yours.”
Before we reach the van, the door opens and people start getting out. Frank and Shannon are first. Dressed in shorts and t-shirts they take on another vibe. It is like seeing your teacher at the beach. It shocks a little.
“Oh!”
It is just one word, but I hear the emotion in his voice, as the next two exit.
“Look. It’s Red. And Bill.”
The two men stay close to each other. Red carries a gift. They are a little lost. But they put their comfort aside and came for Dad.
He looks at me and I see the tears.
“Fucking allergies,” he says, wiping away the evidence.
“Yeah, we must be allergic to the same things.”
“Let’s go greet your guests.”
The party is what we hoped it would be. The food came out earlier than we originally planned, and once it did, all bets were off. The big reveal had to wait. We sit at the center table, bellies full. Even the dogs have had their fill and are stretched out on the grass. Dad and Stacy are holding hands. Mine are sweaty. All I can think about is the car. The car. The car. Kim understands. She blows me a kiss and we have a silent conversation with a look. The sun is lower in the sky, on its back half journey to setting. This is it.
“Come on, Dad,” I say standing.
“Where to?”
“I want to show you something.”
It’s true. He doesn’t fight me, but stands and watches the people at our table watching him. Something is up and he figures that out. I can’t stop their enthusiasm. At this point I don’t want to. They are excited for us. We leave the table and walk to the gravel road.
“So are you having a good time, Dad?”
“It’s a wonderful day. I’m grateful for all you and Stacy have done for me. And now this.”
His hands go inside pockets as we stroll the road.
“It may have started for you, but it ended up in my favor too. I never would have gotten to know Kim. Hunter. I didn’t expect to come for a visit and fall for a woman. Thanks for breaking your hip and having a heart attack.”
He chuckles. “So what happens now?”
“Now we see how a long-distance relationship plays out. I’m not worried. We’ll make it work eventually.”
