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Who’s that?”
I close the lid of the box in front of me and spin around on the stool behind the counter to see who Tandy is looking at. I doubt it’s Landon. Things were kind of slow tonight, so Sam said I could go home an hour early. I’m wrong. Landon is leaning up against the passenger side door of his truck. His head is bent down, as if he’s contemplating the mysteries of the world.
“He’s hot,” Tandy says.
He is to me. But that’s going to stay with me. If I agree with Tandy, she’ll start getting ideas of fixing me up. I rebuff her every time she tries to fix me up with one of her friends or someone she thinks will be a perfect match for me. I burst her well-meaning bubble with the excuse of being too old for one of her friends, which we both know is ridiculous, being she is only two years younger than me.
But we’re so different. Night and day. Most days I feel light years beyond my age, like the prime of my life got skipped right over. As if everything great in my life that’s supposed to happen has passed me by. There is no going back to try and claim them as mine; the best I can do is be satisfied with the life I have. That’s not Tandy. She wouldn’t understand unless I tell her the story, which I won’t burden her with just to stop her from doing what she thinks will make me happy. She’s bubbly and carefree, seeming to have no greater worries than passing her next final or going to the next party and hanging out after work with her friends. As it should be, at our age. You should be free to do the things you want without a hint of fear of what might come. Things I haven’t completely mastered yet, but I’m getting there.
His head rises from his relaxed position. Smiling, he gives us a wave through the windows. My co-worker’s face lights up with her usual broad smile, waving enthusiastically at him. “Is that your piece? Go you! I didn’t know you were seeing anyone. You don’t date. You turn me down every time I try with you.”
“He’s an old friend who’s recently come back into my life.”
“If I was you, I’d be wanting to turn him into more than my old friend.” She waves at him again, wiggling her fingers through the windows. I can imagine what Landon is thinking. I roll my eyes at her and give her a hug with the little blue box in my hand. “Bye, Tandy.”
“Bye, hon. Do something you wouldn’t usually do.” She does a cheesy, exaggerated wink at me. I laugh, walking out to meet Landon in front of the passenger side door that he opens for me after we say hello. I fix the small box in my lap, and his deep voice wraps around me, filling the space we’re in.
“How was your day?”
“It was as good as work days go. Tips weren’t bad. It was an easy day, so Sam let me off early. I wasn’t expecting you so soon. A guess somehow you knew I needed you to come early.” I smile at him. “You have a killer sixth sense; you always knew when to show up for me.”
He doesn’t say anything. He looks at me intently, until I think I’ve said something wrong, but then his lips part.
It like he’s about to say something, and he stops himself. He must still be really upset about Bree and the maintenance man. It’s unoriginal, but still shocking. I said I would be here to talk to him, and talking things through makes almost everyone feel better. And he will for a few minutes anyway, along with the special something in this box.
“It’s been a sucky day for you. Talk to me, Landon; are you still as upset as this morning?”
“No. I was shocked and surprised, but Bree and I have been over for a while. I’m really just upset for Jackson, that he saw what he did, and that it started this whole conversation about his mother and me not being together.”
“How is he doing?”
“He says he’s fine, that he didn’t feel like talking about it anymore. His mom and I had a talk with him about us not being together anymore. He didn’t really say anything but ‘Okay.’ He showed more interest in his team’s win today. He wanted to talk about that.”
“It’s okay. He’s had a bit of a shock. He needs time to process it all and work through it in his head.”
“I know. It’s a lot for a kid in one day. Extreme highs and lows for him today. I don’t want him to shut down. We’ve always been close, and usually whatever is on his mind is out of his mouth.” He chuckles.
“I’ve noticed. That little one speaks his mind. Give him a little time and keep an eye on him. You’re a good dad. I see the relationship you have with him, and how you treat Jacob. He’ll open up to you, and if he doesn’t, you’ll know what to do ‘cause you’re his dad.”
“I hope so.” He sighs, and I tap the box in my hand.
“How’s Bree doing?” Maybe I shouldn’t ask, but she seems like a nice person. She’s a mom, like me, and ouch—tough position to be in. Almost caught in the act by your child and your separated spouse, yikes.
“Mmm.” He takes a breath. “She’s there.”
“I know that. How’s she taking this?”
“She feels horrible. Having to tell Jackson about us like this and answering his questions for her hasn’t been easy. She’s doing better than this morning, though. When I checked in on Jackson, he was helping her make dinner.”
“That’s good. Now, how about you?”
“I’m fine. I’m in the company of a beautiful woman I get the privilege of escorting home. What more could I want?” He smiles, giving me tingles I haven’t felt in God knows how long.
“There’s fine, and then there’s fine.” I open my mouth wide, a big smile spreading.
“What’s the difference?” he asks, amused.
I pick the box up, put it in the palm of my hand between us. “What’s in this box will make you fine, lose-your-mind good.”
