“He’s ready to talk?”
“Yes. I helped him decide to talk to you, but he’s afraid you’re mad at him.”
Mad? Mad had morphed into a heavy sadness that I couldn’t shake. “I’m not mad.”
“I didn’t think so. That’s what I told him, and Cody said if you’re not mad, to call him. So…” he made a shooing motion.
Pulling my phone out, I turned and walked into a more wooded area, away from other campers, and called him.
“Daddy?”
“Cody, baby? Are you okay?”
“Yes. I mean, physically. I haven’t wrecked the car or anything.”
“Thankfully. But that’s not nice to be gone so long with someone else’s car.”
“I know. Tell Royce I’m sorry. I needed space. The pressure was too much.”
“Pressure? From what?” We were on vacation, having a good time, I hadn’t put any kind of pressure on him.
“The whole moving-in thing. I’ve acted like I’m ignoring it, but I’m not. At all.”
I should have known. Hell, I’d felt the tension between us, but I’d hoped it would wait. Normally, Cody is all about having fun, especially outdoors, but this whole trip, he had been just a bit off. I didn’t think it was as bad as this—driving him away. “That’s not something you have to think about right now. I’m not going anywhere.”
“I know and that’s what we said, but it’s still bothering me. Like really bothering me.” The sadness in his voice nearly broke my heart.
“We’re all heading to Key West. I’d like it very much if you’d meet us there. Then we can talk about this more. I want you to be comfortable. If you don’t want to move in, it’s okay.”
“It’s not. Something is wrong with me.”
“There is not. You’re just not ready, and that’s fine. It’ll wait until you are.”
“What if I’m never ready? That’s not fair to you? Hell, I don’t know what I want for the rest of my life. I don’t even know what I want next week. Do I stick with this career? Go back to school? Do I want kids? I don’t even know if I want a dog.”
“Cody, breathe. You don’t have to decide any of that today.”
There was silence on the phone, and I feared he wasn’t hearing me. Finally, he says. “I don’t know what to do, but I have to make a decision before I can go on.”
“Let me come get you.”
“No. Don’t put anyone else out. I need to be alone. Don’t follow me. Please.”
“Cody?”
“No. I mean it. Don’t.” He hung up. He was not in his right mind, and I was more worried than ever. He was overthinking, overemotional, and I should have been over all of his craziness, but I wasn’t. I only wanted him to be alright.
I waved to Vince. “I’ll be back. I need to talk to Royce.”
Joey looked worried as I walked away. He was hoping I’d make it all better, but it was out of my hands.
“Hey, Warner.” Royce waved as I walked up.
“I talked to Cody. He’s not ready to come back.”
“Oh.”
“Please don’t call the cops on him. If anything happens with the car, I’ll pay for it.”
