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She knocks me in the forearm and sits next to me. “What are you doing today after school?”
“Just practice, then helping my dad at the shop.”
“Can I come over?” she asks, pushing her tortoise-framed glasses up on her nose.
“You want to come to my dad’s shop?” I’m surprised she would want to do that. There are usually bikers everywhere, and it’s dirty.
“Of course, I do. Let’s hang out,” she enthuses.
“Oh. . .okay.” I shrug. “You do realize my dad always has a bunch of bikers hanging around, right?” I remind her skeptically.
“Bikers? Oh no, so scary,” she teases, putting her hand to her chest.
“Callie…” I roll my eyes but can’t help but smile. “See you after school.”
“See you later, alligator,” she chirps as she heads off, her backpack swinging behind her.
I take a deep breath. Something about being with Callie makes me feel like a normal kid. She doesn’t treat me like it’s weird that my dad owns an auto body shop usually full of bikers hanging out. She wants to be around me. And I want to be around her. Two kids from different sides of the tracks becoming best friends. Who knew?
now
“Are you ready for another box?” Evan calls from the doorway. He wipes sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. It’s late afternoon. We’ve been working on the cabin all day, and we’re starving.
Evan’s been helping me lay vinyl wood flooring throughout my cabin, and I’m grateful for his assistance because we’re getting it done a lot faster than if I were doing it by myself. Working on my new cabin has been my favorite thing to do besides coaching. It has kept my mind off Callie. Well, not really. But I’m trying. It hasn’t been easy when I have been building it in the very spot where we fell in love, had our first kiss, first everything. Our lookout spot on the outskirts of town was always a special place. Now, it’s where I’m putting down roots in my hometown. I wasn’t sure I’d ever come back here, but now I know this is where I’m supposed to be.
“Let’s take a break,” I suggest. “Ty’s bringing the pizza.” I stand and wipe my hands on my jeans.
I look at our progress. We only have one room left. I built a four-bedroom cabin that is everything Callie and I dreamed up as kids. I grew up living above my dad’s shop, and while I had a great dad and he took good care of me, I dreamed of having a home with traditions and maybe even a family of my own one day.
“Good, I’m starving,” Evan says, reaching for a bottle of water on the counter.
Ty comes in the back door. “Did someone order pizza and two future Eagles?” he calls as he carries in three boxes from Freedom Pie. His little boy and Evan’s nephew, Caleb, follow him, grinning at being called Eagles. Cute kids.
“Hey, guys,” I greet, and I notice one of them is missing a front tooth.
“Hi, Uncle Evan. Hi, Coach,” they call as they look around at the place.
“Hey, what happened to your tooth?” I tease.
“Lost it. The tooth fairy gave me twenty bucks,” he says.
I look over at Ty, who smiles and shrugs.
“Dang. Inflation works in your favor, kid.” I give him a fist bump, and the kid looks like he has no idea what I’m talking about but smiles anyway.
Evan reaches over and tousles their hair. “What have you boys been up to?”
“Ty said we can help bring the pizza.” Caleb shrugs as he looks at my tools laid out on the counter.
“I’m glad you came, buddy. You guys can help after we eat.”
Evan sets the boys up at the counter with pizza. And I wash up in the sink while I think about how cool it feels to have friends over. I want to be able to share this space even more when it’s finally done. I look around at the big kitchen and living room space and imagine a family living here. I can see it full of kids, laughter, barbecues, and traditions with friends and family. I want it all.
I always pictured it with Callie, and then that picture grew dimmer every year we were apart. Callie and I grew up in two very different worlds, yet endured so much pain in both our families. And I always dreamed of making a family for us that no one could take away or destroy. Ours. I don’t care how long it takes; I want to build that. Subconsciously, I think that’s what I’ve been building toward for the past several years. It just hasn’t gone the way I thought it would.
I reach into the fridge and grab sodas. I hold them out, and they each snag one. “Thanks for your help today,” I say as I snap my soda open and take a swig.
“It’s really shaping up.” Evan nods in appreciation as he looks around.
