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Sittingat the bar as some of Grandpa’s favorite songs blare through Midsummer Nights, the bar and restaurant that Levi’s friends own and hang out at, I throw back another shot, trying to shove aside all the feelings of loss.
“I’m gonna miss him,” Levi says, taking a stool beside me as Jodie, his girlfriend, follows.
I turn and grin at my big brother. “Remember that one time he took us fishing?”
“Oh, I remember,” Levi says, smiling. “How many did you drink that day?”
“Four?” I ask, thinking of the memory.
“How old were you?” Jodie asks.
I smirk. “Fourteen.”
“Levi and Cash Creed, you rebels,” she says, and Levi and I raise our beers in toast.
“Grandpa knew how to be a little bit rebellious,” Levi says, and I agree.
“What are you boys talking about?” Mama asks, sneaking up behind us. Her face is still tearstained, but she’s not sobbing anymore. She’s wearing some pink water shoes Reed managed to scrounge up at a boardwalk shop nearby.
“Nothing much,” I say, knowing some things are better kept secret, especially from Mama.
“I’m sure,” she says, plopping down on a bar stool by us.
The rest of the crew wanders over, Lysander ambling behind the bar to serve up some more drinks.
“Thanks for letting us have the luncheon here,” Mama says, and Lysander nods.
“Least we could do. So, how long are you guys staying in town?”
“Just until things are in order,” Mama answers.
“Well, you know, it is prime tourist season,” Reed announces, joining Lysander behind the bar to help out. He looks at me. “A handsome man like you might find it interesting to stick around during peak season.” He winks at me, and I grin.
“Peak season in Texas is all the time,” I reply, and Mama hits my arm.
“Reed’s sort of right, you know,” Jodie adds now. “All the pretty young things will be coming right in. You never know what opportunity might come up. And I know someone who could find you a rental pretty cheap,” she says, looking at Levi.
“Speaking of rentals and business,” I say, “Is ten okay to go over the business details of the will tomorrow?”
I’d taken the reins on the will, knowing Mama and Dad had their own things to worry about. Figured it was the least I could do. It should be pretty straightforward. Grandpa was a little crazy sometimes, but he also liked to keep things in order.
“Yeah,” Levi says. “Better go tell Cindy.” He gets up from the stool, leaving Jodie and me with an empty stool between us.
“I’m glad you’re all here,” Jodie says to me, a soft grin. “I mean, I know the circumstances aren’t great, but I’m glad Levi has family around now. It’s going to be hard without his grandpa here.”
I take another drink of my beer before responding. “I know Levi and Grandpa were close. Not that I wasn’t, but these past couple years, Grandpa and Levi have obviously grown closer. I’m glad he has you, though, to lean on.”
And I mean it. I haven’t seen Levi happier, even when he was with that gorgeous Molly Madigan. I was always pretty jealous growing up that he got the beautiful girl across the street, although after the whole rodeo accident when she showed her true colors, I knew perhaps I’d just been spared.
Still, seeing Levi with Jodie, it makes me smile to see how my rebel brother’s definitely been tamed. It’s working for him, and I couldn’t be happier, if it’s what he really wants.
I also couldn’t be happier it’s not me—I’ve still got plenty of freedom, plenty of women to explore, and plenty of fun to have. While he’s shopping for curtains and quote pillows, I’m stocking up on booze and good times. I think I’ve clearly got the better gig going.
“She’s pretty great,” Avery says now, sidling up to us. “But she’s right. It’s good to have family close for this. Your grandpa was a good man, even though I only met him a few times. He’ll be missed.”
“Um, I hate to interrupt, but I just want to make sure this is right,” Reed says, leaning across the bar from me. “The playlist you gave me has this song on it. Is that correct? I mean, I know your grandpa wasn’t traditional, but I didn’t want to make anyone upset.”
I glance at the last song on the list, smiling. “Oh, that’s right. I told you Grandpa taught us our rebel ways.”
And so, Reed fires up the jukebox, playing a song that stops Levi dead in his tracks across the restaurant, and we both share in a laugh at the moment Grandpa forever sealed in our memories.
“To a wild man with a rebel but warm heart,” I say, lifting my beer, silently saying goodbye again to the man who taught Levi and me to live life fearlessly, recklessly, and with no regrets.
