AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Somehow all of this felt like we were on a merry-go-round that kept spinning faster and faster. At some point, it would splinter apart. The question was: what would be left?
I swung my eyes to both sides of the street. I’d driven this path more times than I could count. Everything was the same, yet I had changed.
Beau had done that.
I’d thought I could handle something strictly physical when she came back. Or maybe deep down, I’d sent that first text knowing I couldn’t. Because I’d been desperate to touch her one last time. Hold her. Be with her.
In a short time, I’d become a husband, a dog owner, gained new family, and become more grateful for the one I was born in.
“I hope you’re proud, Pop.” I pointed to the sky. “I just want to do her right.”
I was still touchy about the money situation. But I could keep making a big deal about it and cause unnecessary arguments or figure out a way to get over it.
When she’d suggested giving it all away—and she’d meant it—I realized the money was just a piece of her, no different than a dress she wore. It didn’t define her. Didn’t change the way she treated me or others.
Iwas the one who made a big deal about it. Not her.
But she and I should talk about what all that wealth meant for our kids. We’d hardly started the conversation about a family, hadn’t taken any action on moving forward, but I wanted it so much.
It was as if she’d ripped a lid off a box where I’d stuffed my feelings on the subject. I’d accepted I was never going to have kids because I hadn’t wanted a future like that with anyone but her.
Now that it was possible, I was going to ask Ma if I could have the dinner table someday. It was just a piece of furniture, yet it was so much more than that. I wanted our kids to have memories around it too.
Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you?
We weren’t that young. I didn’t know if we could even have kids. And if we couldn’t, we’d figure it out together.
Yeah, I’d be disappointed, but I wasn’t going to let it rule my life. Not like it had Joe and Christina’s. Ultimately, that had torn them apart.
I wouldn’t allow anything to keep me from Beau.
And she won’t let anything keep her from you.
I smiled to myself. It had taken her a while to remember, but she loved me.
And that was all I’d ever wanted.
I hoped like hell where I was headed would finally set us completely free.
The house cameinto view and I could hardly remember how I’d gotten there. I rolled to a stop and hesitated before I turned off the truck.
Is this the right move?
I had things to say. Things Samuel Hollingsworth needed to be clear on.
I cut the ignition and grabbed my phone.
The house was dark other than the lights around the front door and a few on inside.
In the night sky, I saw a familiar gray plume coming from the back of the house. The smell of smoke hit my nostrils.
I dialed emergency as I ran toward the front door. Gingerly, I touched the knob. It wasn’t hot, but it wouldn’t turn either.
I rattled off the address as I sprinted around the back. Naturally, there was a fence two miles high, but I scaled it and landed on the other side with a thud.
Now you’re trespassing, Cal.
And her daddy would use it against me.
