“How is she? I’ve been worried about her ever since she found me here.”
“She’s fine. Ray keeps her busy.”
My mom sets a big plate of cookies in front of me and a big glass of the white stuff.
“It’s fresh. There’s a man in town who delivers it. Best milk you’ll ever taste.”
I take a long drink. “Oh, man, that shit is fucking good. I don’t think I’ve ever tried raw milk.”
“I know. I’m obsessed. So, tell me about Aspen.”
She relaxes on the couch as I start talking animatedly about my daughter. It doesn’t seem to bother her that I can’t sit still. I walk around the room, admiring all of her things as I yap on and on and on.
I like the way she follows me with her eyes and laughs and nods at the appropriate times. It helps me know she’s really listening.
“Do you like being president of the club?”
“Love it. I learned from the best of the best, my uncle Dirk.”
“He’s Rachel’s brother?”
“Yeah, he and Dad are best friends.”
For the first time all day she fidgets nervously with the fringe on the pillow she’s been hugging.
“Does he …” She pauses and looks away. “Does he know?”
I sit down beside her. I’ve avoided talking about Dad all night, but I can’t put it off forever. “He does. Although I think my mom wanted him to find out a little differently than he did. He overheard me.”
“Oh, Jackson. I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay. I don’t think it would have mattered how he found out.”
She swallows hard. “So, he didn’t take it well?”
“He didn’t, but I’m sure he’ll come home soon.”
“He left? Oh my god. This is all my fault. I’m so sorry.”
“Hey, it’s okay. His feelings aren’t going to affect our relationship.”
“But he’s your father. I never want to come between the two of you.”
“You won’t.”
“He ran, Jackson.” She sits forward, looking like she doesn’t know which way to turn. “I don’t know about this.”
I place my hand on her arm. “Mom, stop. He’s a good guy. He isn’t going to stay away forever. He just needs a little time. I promise you. He’s not going to have a problem with this.” I let go of her to motion between us.
The look on her face tells me she doesn’t believe me, but that’s okay. I’ll lead if I have to, because I’m not going to let either of us waste any more time. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that none of us are promised tomorrow.
“I’ve got pictures of Aspen on my phone. Would you like to see them?”
That is the distraction I needed because her face instantly changes. “Oh, I would love to.”
“Good, because I love showing her off.”
An excited smile pulls at her face as she settles in next to me.
