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“You done over there?”
“Yep.”
I tipped the wheelbarrow forward and rolled it over next to where he’d just finished putting in forms. Grabbing the shovel, I filled them with concrete until the bucket was empty. While I mixed a fresh batch, Pop pulled the screed board across the forms with a back-and-forth sawing motion, evening out the concrete, and removing the excess. Then he picked up the flattening tool and smoothed the surface while I poured the next batch.
We repeated that process until fresh sidewalks lined the front and side of the house.
I hosed out the wheelbarrow while he finished up.
“What kind of sandwiches do we have?” he asked when he was done.
“Ham or roast beef.”
I took his tools and cleaned them off then handed him the hose and picked up a towel to dry my hands.
We have about thirty minutes until the excess water is forced to the surface of the concrete and Pop can joint and edge it. I pulled two folding chairs out of the bed of my truck and set them up. He took a seat as I rummaged in the cooler. I held up one of each sandwich.
“Roast beef.”
I handed him the sandwich and a bottle of water then sat and dug into my own.
“You’ve been spending a lot of time with Winnie’s niece.”
“Yeah,” I said, then took a big bite.
“Guess you like her.”
I nodded as I chewed and swallowed, then took a drink. I’m not sure what this conversation is about. In all the years I’ve lived here, Pop has never commented on who I “spend time with.” Other than stating he thinks there’ve been too many, that is.
It must be because of whatever the thing is between him and Winnie. He probably thinks he’ll be in hot water with her if I do something to screw up with Eve. I decided to set his mind at ease.
“I like Eve. She’s really great and fun to hang around with.”
He grunted and finished his sandwich.
“Does she know?”
I stopped mid-chew.
“About what?”
Pop looked at me like I had the brain of a gnat and shook his head.
“Does she know about the show?” He shook his head. “What else would I be talking about?”
“No.”
I finished my water and crumbled the bottle.
“Don’t you think you should tell her?”
“I will,” I said. “I’m just waiting for the right time.”
“When’s that gonna be?”
“I don’t know. Like I said, I haven’t found it yet.”
He grunted.
