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“I forgot about my box,” he said roughly. “Where’d you find this?” His eyes were misted. Haunted.
“In the attic,” Cal replied.
His father’s fingers trembled as he opened up one letter, read it, and then went on to the next. Cal sat and waited until nearly an hour had passed and there was only one left.
“You read these?” Manley asked.
“Yes.” Cal cleared his throat and got to his feet. “The last one was sealed, so I know you never did. I wish you had. Maybe we might not have lost so much time.” This was hard, and he had to get it right. “I’m done with holding on to the past. Done with the anger and hurt and blame. She wouldn’t want that.” His voice caught, and he took a moment. “Read the letter, Dad. Take your time. And when you’re done, I’ll be waiting outside.”
“For what?” Manley’s voice shook.
“Sunday dinner with our family.”
He left his father, sat in the cab of the truck, and listened to classic country. Cal wasn’t sure how long he was out there, but eventually, his father appeared on the porch, dressed in sheepskin once more. He walked over to the truck and opened the door. His eyes were red and swollen, but there was a lightness to him. A calm sort of thing.
“Chicken soup?” Manley asked. “I got some buns here.”
“Roast beef.” Cal frowned. “You bringing that beast?”
“If you don’t mind. Penny doesn’t like to be left out. And Nora sure enjoys her.”
Cal sat back and put the truck in gear. “No, Dad. I guess I don’t mind.”
The wolf hopped into the back seat, and Manley buckled himself up front. Cal drove back to the ranch. They didn’t talk about the letter. There was no need. They let Cash and Hank fill the gaps of silence between them. And it was enough. Music was the glue that would keep them together.
Cal was finally at peace with his past, and as he drove by the valley where his new home would be built, on this land his family had carved out generations ago, he was content. He would build his life with Millie Sue. They would have a child in the fall.
After so many years of wandering, he was home.
And damned if that didn’t make him the happiest man on the planet.
