AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I was going to ask that,” my father admitted with a busted look on his aging face.
“I guess that’s who they love,” I said, humping my shoulders. “I try not to question it even though they’re probably related to some of the people that threw stones at us back in the day. The ones that didn’t even give you a chance to tell your story before they demanded the police take you away.”
I stopped and looked at my father, who quickly deflated. In all the years he had been a free man, I never brought up his arrest.
“I’m just being honest, dad. That changed me a lot.”
“I know, son. I know,” he said. “It changed all of us.”
That was the most he was going to say about the way the justice system had handled his case. He turned and shuffled slowly into the house. I followed him into the living room, and he grimaced as he sat down in his chair. The same one he sat in so many years ago and wept about shooting a man.
“Have a seat, son.”
“Dad, I didn’t mean to upset you. I shouldn’t have brought that up.”
“No, no. You’re fine, Bruiser.”
A long, slow silence sounded off in the room. We were both in our own thoughts about the past twenty-four years, yet neither of us dared to elaborate.
“What are you about to watch?” I asked when he started turning the channels with the remote.
“Oh, I don’t know. Anything will be better than these shows your mom has been watching. Seems these days all she’s watching is programs about little kids. It’s like she’s trying to channel some grandkids into our lives through the TV.” He looked from the TV and over to me. “You know what I mean?”
This was my cue to leave.
“I do. But look old man, I have got to get going. I have some work to do at the office.”
“No, no, son. I know that you’re busy with your agency, but you got to start thinking about this. Your mom and I are getting older by the moment. We would love to have grandchildren; three or four of them is plenty.”
“Three or four? Dad, you should have had more kids if you wanted that many grandchildren.”
He chuckled.
I had to get out of there. If I let this conversation go on any longer, soon mom would join him, and an all-out push to make me get a wife and kids would ensue. A woman and kids. Two things I didn’t have time for.
Mom came strolling into the room. “Bruiser, your dad is right.”
Damn it. Too late to escape.
I walked over and towered over her. I pulled her into my arms and hugged he
r tightly. This was a guaranteed way to change the conversation with her.
“Boy, are you trying to break my back?” she asked and swatted at me as soon as I let her go. “I told you to stop squeezing me like that. You know you have the strength of Grendel. Whew!” She pushed her shoulders back as if to realign her vertebra. “Trying to kill me,” she huffed.
“Grendel, Mom? Really.” I faked outrage. “I didn’t mean to hurt you, but it’s just that you’re my favorite girl, and I get carried away when I see you.”
“Awe, that’s really sweet, son. I missed you too,” she said, grabbing both sides of my face and kissing my cheek. “Now, go out there and pour all of that love into a young girl of childbearing age, and bring me back a daughter in law and some cute little kids.”
“Listen, I told Xander I was going to meet him at the office to go over some things, and well, I’m late.” I grabbed my keys off the coffee table and stood up. I loathed the wife and kids discussion. I put all my time and energy into my security agency, and I wasn’t ready for a family. My phone buzzed with an incoming call, saving me from the talk.
Son of a bitch. It was Xander calling. I must have talked him up.
“What’s up, Xan?” I said, holding a finger up to my mom as I walked out of the room.
“Just climbing out of some good pussy, trying to see what you’re doing this evening.”
“Damn sure not giving you any pussy,” I replied.
