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He looked at me like he was surprised at me for being surprised.
"Did youmovehere?"
"Not really. Not officially. I'm just here right now. I'm still working and carrying on with the development in Miami, but I'm doing it remotely. My dad and brothers are still in Florida and they check in on the operation for me."
"Are you just staying here forever? Indefinitely? My dad didn't tell me you lived here now."
"Because I told your dad not to tell anyone," he said. "No one knows I'm here—not even Astrid and Danny and them."
I looked him over. "How do you eat?"
"I get groceries delivered, or I drive down to Little Rock to go shopping. Basically, all I eat is eggs, rice, and avocado, anyway."
"I was thinking you could use a cheeseburger and a chocolate milkshake," I said, joking with him tentatively.
He let out a little laugh but didn't say anything.
"If being here's such a big secret for you, then why are you telling me now?"
"I, uh, don't know, actually. I was out here taking a break, and I heard you coming. I saw you, and it was by instinct that I walked over to you. I didn't even think about it."
"I was about to go to the swing."
"I figured. That's where I was. I replaced that tire with a new one, and I hung a hammock on the same tree."
"Instead of the tire?"
"No, in addition to it."
"How?"
"Well, the tire swing is out on a limb, and I attached the hammock to the other side of the tree trunk. The two don't interfere with each other. Come on. Come see. You'll like it. It's perfect for singing Coldplay to the top of your lungs."
I laughed and followed him down the trail until it gave way to a small opening where I knew I would see the tire swing. It was there, but there were now other things, too. I looked around Charlie, trying to get a better view.
"What is all this?" I asked, taking it in. I saw a large rope hammock like I was expecting, but there was also a deck. There was a rectangular wooden deck in the area adjacent to the tire swing and the hammock.
"Oh, whoa, this is so nice. There's a whole patio over here now. When did y'all have this done?"
"I did it," he said.
"You did it? What do you mean you did it?"
"I built it," he said. "I'm still building it. I've been out here working all morning. I was just taking a break when I heard you."
I scanned the area, taking it all in. "This is professionally done," I said, sounding stunned.
Charlie smiled and nodded a little. "Good, because I'm a professional."
