“I know! Your favorite place in the world, huh, princess?”
I couldn’t help the smile at seeing the excitement on her face. She squirmed with excited energy until Jenna loosed her from her car seat and let her out the back door.
“You comin’?”
I met Jack’s eyes in the reflection of the rearview mirror. “Actually, I thought it would be better if I just hung out in the car. I could watch it and make sure no one steals it.”
Jack snorted. “You have to see her sooner or later.”
“Do I?”
“JR…”
“Jack…” I replied, matching his tone. But, after a moment of silent protest, I unbuckled my seatbelt and opened the door. “Do they still keep the hunting rifle mounted above the fireplace?” I asked as I followed them up the drive.
“No. Mom took it down after Dad died.”
“Damn… there goes my easy way out then.”
Jack laughed, but covered his mouth with his hand when Jenna shot a dirty look at him.
“I’d appreciate it if you didn’t joke about suicide in front of my toddler, please.”
“Sorry.”
I wanted to retort that there was no way the three-year-old knew what I was talking about, or was even paying attention, but whatever. Jenna had made it abundantly clear how she felt about having me around, and I didn’t want to aggravate the situation.
I guess I understood. Why would she want an ex-con living in her house with her family just because I was her husband’s brother? It was clear the situation was a means to an end, and I was already trying to figure out other arrangements. I was making better money than I had anticipated working with Jack at the shop, so I was hoping it wouldn’t be long until I could get an apartment of my own.
The shop was thriving and busy, and I was proud of my brother for having taken the initiative to run the place after Dad’s death. He had done a great job of maintaining everything, and from what I could tell, the place was making good money. There was always something to do, and the guys that worked there were all solid dudes. Jack was clearly running a tight ship.
When we reached the front door, Jenna walked right in, hand-in-hand with little Lindsey. I was the last through the threshold, and closed the door behind me.
The house still smelled exactly the same as I remembered. Fresh Linen scented carpet powder with a hint of spice from the cinnamon candles Mom liked to burn year-round.
I hung my coat on the hook as I heard Lindsey squeal. “Na-na!”
When I turned the corner from the entryway, my mother had just bent down to fold Lindsey into a hug. She blinked a few times as she looked up over Lindsey’s shoulder at me.
“Hi, Mom.”
Everything seemed to go quiet for a moment as she got back to her feet and stared at me. Then she took a few steps forward and softly spoke: “Welcome home, James.” At first, I thought she was going to give me a hug, but she didn’t. Instead, she just turned around and asked Jenna if she could help finish setting the table.
I turned my head and quickly swiped at my traitorous eyes. I didn’t know what to expect, but I guesswelcome home, Jameswas better thanget the fuck out, James. I still felt like shit.
I needed to figure out how to not fucking cry in public, immediately.
I took a seat at the table next to Jack as Jenna came out of the kitchen with a stack of plates in one hand and a long-neck in the other. She set the plates down and handed Jack the beer.
He thanked her as he twisted the top off, and she disappeared again. I looked over at my brother, and he grimaced. “Look, bro… it’s just gonna take some time for everyone to get used to having you back. That’s all.”
I heaved a deep breath and looked away from him. There was so much unspoken shit between us, I didn’t even know where to begin. I resisted the urge to gointo the kitchen and grab myself a beer, since I hadn’t been offered one. I would rather cannonball into a vat of corrosive acid than step into that kitchen with my mother and Jenna.
I should never have agreed to this!
Mom came out to the table carrying a large platter of pasta and meatballs, Jenna right behind her with thick slices of garlic toast piled high on a serving tray.
Once Lindsey was propped up in her booster seat between Jack and Jenna, my mother said grace and then began taking plates to fill them with pasta.
