Page 88 of Peaks and Promises

“This time, don’t leave the anger in your chest or in your stomach. Take it and use it to swing. Stay in control so you don’t hurt yourself, but go for it.”

Gritting his teeth, he swung, and the blade dug into the wood. He kept going, and after a few swings, he yelled each time the axe connected.

“I…hate…you…stupid…Axel… You’re…not…my…dad.”

He stopped, breathing hard, and I took the axe. Putting his hands on his hips, he caught his breath.

“If he broke my Lego stuff, I’ll just rebuild them,” he said after a long moment.

“Good attitude.”

“I still don’t like him.”

I patted his shoulder. “He’s not giving you many reasons to like him, is he?”

“No.”

“Do you feel better?”

He nodded. “Yeah. Except my arms are tired.”

“That’s a good thing. It’s better to have tired arms.”

“Better than a tired heart?”

“Much better.” I patted him again. “You’re an old soul, chief. It’s easy to forget you’re only ten.”

“I’m almost eleven.”

I grinned and pulled my axe out of the log. “Good point. Ready to head back, or do you need to chop some more?”

“I think I’m done. But, Reese?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you show me how to chop wood for real? Not a log, but to use for a fire?”

“You bet.”

I re-sheathed the axes for the hike back and stowed the safety glasses in my pocket, and we started out.

“Can you find the way?” he asked.

“Of course I can. I grew up in these woods.”

Out there, the familiarity was so strong, it was almost like I’d never left.

After that, he didn’t say much. Sweat dripped down my back as we trudged up the last hill and my dad’s shop came into view. I put the axes away, showing Nate how to store them safely.

Something about all of it tugged at my chest. Nate was a good kid. He deserved better. I admired Summer for keeping him out of his father’s world, but he still carried the burden of a shitty dad. It sucked.

I couldn’t replace what he didn’t have, but I could at least teach him a few things. Do my best while I was around. Even if it wouldn’t be forever.

Axel

It was dark by the time I rolled into Elko, but the diner was right on the main drag. Easy to find, even though half the lights on the sign were out.

I parked in front of the run-down building and swung off my bike. The windows glowed in the darkness, and a couple came out carrying to-go boxes. The woman cast a wary glance my direction, and I grinned at her. She nudged the guy with her, and they hurried to their car.