Page 80 of Falling Together

“We don’t actually learn stuff,” he says. “It’s all going over classes and finding your seat.”

“I remember we jumped right in on the first day of school. I had a pop quiz in algebra to see how much I knew.”

“Was this back before electricity was invented?” he chirps.

I nod. “Oh, yeah. We did everything by candlelight. Had to dip our feathers in ink to write.”

“Oh my God. You’re so embarrassing.”

I give him a cheesy grin back. “If you think that is embarrassing, I can really up my game if you want.”

“Daaad.”

I ruffle the hair on his head. Luke finishes his breakfast before dumping his plate in the sink and grabbing his backpack.

“You’ve got riding lessons with Georgia after school, and you’ll take the bus out there⁠—”

“I know, Dad.”

“Georgia will bring you home since I have practice, and we’ll all have dinner together, okay?” I finish, not letting his interruption get to me.

“Sounds good.”

He goes to the bathroom to brush his teeth and—thankfully—wets his hair down so it looks more presentable. He pockets his phone, stuffs his feet into his tennis shoes, and heads down the street to where the bus will pick him up. I’m still sipping on my coffee as I watch him talk to one of the kids standing out there.

I don’t know why I’m so worried. I’ve been the one getting him on the bus since his first day of kindergarten—Kari was always too busy with one thing or another. But somehow, it doesn’t get easier.

With Luke being in high school, I’m hit with the realization that his days at home are numbered. Before I know it, he’ll be going off to college and leaving me. It’s what all parents want for their kids. To go off and do great things in the world.

But as the bus pulls up and Luke steps onto it, it’s hard to come to terms with him leaving. It’s not like I’ll be all by myself. I’ll have Georgia and our baby, with more of these days to come.

I don’t wave goodbye as the bus passes, missing the days when he used to turn back and smile at me as he got on. I never thought I’d have more kids, but I’m looking forward to the day where I get to do this with Georgia. Hell, we’ll both be emotional wrecks when that day comes.

I guess that’s what parenthood does to you. I’ll savor each moment I get with each of my kids because before I know it, these days will have gone by in the blink of an eye.

And I’ll cherish every single one of them I get.

Chapter Twenty-Four

GEORGIA

Grant

Will you tell me how today goes?

Georgia

It’s a riding lesson

Why are you worried?

Not about the lesson

About Luke’s first day at school

You want me to spy for you?

That makes it sound bad