Page 51 of Sparrow

"And Stanley wasn't even trying to hurt you, not that bad."

I scoffed and shook my head.

"But even still, Corey, I'm not Stanley. I'm not the one who came up with that whole thing. Listen, if you come back with me, we don't ever even have to talk to Stanley or your mom again. That's what I've been trying to find you and tell you. We don't have to go to his church ever again. You can move in my place."

"I'm never going back there, John. I've moved on."

"Don't say that. You've barely been gone, Corey. You know your heart's in the woods. What's this place got to offer compared to Rock Creek? All I see is a bunch of McDonalds and powerlines. A bunch of concrete." He gestured to the building next to us. "Come home with me Corey. It's all you know. We don't even have to talk to Stanley, ever again."

"It's not all I know, John. I know other things. I'm not going back to Montana. I’m actually thinking about moving to Louisiana right now. New Orleans."

I stared at him like I was serious. Of course, I had made that up on the spot and was only saying it to throw him off.

"What's in New Orleans?"

"Me, maybe. I’m on my own. I have a job. I might move—transfer with the company. What are you doing coming to the place where I work, John? You can't do that. If you want to talk to me, you can send a letter."

"You wouldn't open it. And I needed to tell you that I wouldn't hurt you. I didn't do that. You've misunderstood where I'm coming from in all this. I love you."

"Please don't say that. I moved, and I'm not going back to Montana. I appreciate you telling me you mean the best for me and you didn’t want to hurt me. That means a lot. I feel like we can end on that."

I put a hand out and started to back up when I said that. I backed toward the building, taking two steps backward. I heard the door open behind me, and I glanced that way. It was Charlie Atkinson, standing tall and walking like he was bowed up, readyfor anything. He regarded John with a serious expression. "Can I help you?" Charlie said.

"I have an appointment here, and I was talking to Corey."

"You can talk to me if you have an appointment here, I’m the owner." Charlie stared at John with an impassive expression. "Corey, I believe they need you inside. I can take care of Mr. Coleman."

"Bye, John. Goodbye." I said, looking directly at him and making it clear that I didn't waver in my farewell.

"I'll speak with John," Charlie said, assuring me as I retreated to the door.

I gave him a thankful bow before I went inside.

Charlie was outside for twenty minutes, and when he came inside, he was alone. I had been working as best I could while watching the door and feeling like I was on pins and needles. He gestured for me to come with him, and he walked toward the back of the clinic.

"My son would have pummeled that man. I'm actually glad he wasn't here when that happened. There would have been a fight."

"Oh, no, what happened?"

"No, it's fine. There wasn't an altercation or anything. He was compliant. I'm just saying, my son would have handled it differently."

"What did he say?"

We were talking as we walked into the back hallway and out of earshot of anyone.

"He said he loved you. He cried."

"What?"

"Yeah, my son would have hated that. As it stood, I just pitied him."

"So, where does it stand? Is he gone?"

Charlie breathed a sigh. We had come to stand in his office, hesitating near the door since no one was around. "Yeah, he's… he's still in Memphis, but he knows not to come back here. My friend, Jacob, is a police officer. I called him before I ever went out there, and he came by in his street clothes to have a conversation with Mr. Coleman. I'm glad my wife told me what happened with you in Montana. I'm glad I knew the whole story. Honestly, I was expecting him to be more of a hassle than he was. He just cried and blubbered, and I told him he had to leave."

"I'm sorry," I said.

"Don't be sorry. But you might want to think of leaving. He's going to be here for four more days."

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