Page 81 of Thick & Thin

“Yep. The poor things wouldn’t survive without him.”

Relief filled my chest when a tiny smile pulled at his pouty mouth.

“Then I’m glad he’s there to take care of them.”

I swallowed, feeling terrible for saying it but knowing it was for the greater good.

“Me too.”

I wasn’t glad my dad was gone, but whatever helped Caleb get through the loss of my dad. He was so young. It was hard for him to understand.

“I miss him.”

I reached up and ruffled his soft sable hair. “Me too, buddy. But he can see us whenever he wants. We just can’t see him.”

“So, he could be here right now? We just can’t see him?”

I nodded. “Yep. And knowing Poppa, he’s probably been here for a while watching you play.”

Caleb grinned and pushed his toy farther across the room and toward my dad’s favorite chair. Then I heard him whisper something as he crawled up into the chair as if my dad was sitting there.

“I miss you, Poppa. Don’t let the horses die.”

I couldn’t take much more.

His little words were breaking my heart, but when I looked up and saw my mom smiling through her tears, I knew having Caleb around was good for her.

“I need a shower,” I said, standing and leaving the room without another word.

Getting close to Jenny’s kid was the last thing in the world I needed to do. Staying away from her and her family was what was best.

I showered, washing away a night of sleeping in my truck, and got dressed. The guys from high school had found out I was back in town and wanted to get together and play some pool at Player’s Place, which was surprisingly still open.

Once I was showered and dressed, I went into the living room to find Jenny and Caleb were still there talking to my mom.

“Where are you headed?” Mom asked.

“The guys want to have a few beers and play some pool. I figured since I hadn’t seen anyone in so long, I’d go.”

“That’s good. You should go with him, Jenny. It could be just like old times.” She directed her attention to Jenny.

I opened my mouth to say hell no, but before I could, Jenny spoke up.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. It’s been so long,” she said, confusing me.

I had always assumed Jenny was home and had taken custody of our old friends.

Guess I was wrong.

“What do you mean?” I asked, curiosity getting the best of me.

Mom answered for her. “The town hasn’t been very nice to Jenny these days. Only a handful of people from high school even speak to her.”

My eyes went to Jenny, and I watched as her shoulders grew tense and her face paled. She never would have admitted that herself. She was too prideful. And while knowing half of the town and most of the people we went to school with had written her off should have made me happy, it didn’t. I mean, I was glad our old friends had my back, but at the same time, the old parts of me that still cared for Jenny wanted to protect her from their backlash.

“It’s fine,” Jenny said, waving off Mom’s remarks. “I’m way too busy to hang out these days anyway.”

“Too many dates?” I asked sarcastically before I thought better of it.

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