Page 26 of Feels Like Home

I can’t deny it, though my heart is definitely caught up on the word date. He made battling the crowds of holiday shoppers fun and lighthearted.

He tried on scarves and sweater cardigans that he was looking at for his mom, claiming that they had the same coloring so then he would know for sure if it would look good on her. He smelled candles and read the blurb on the back of about twenty books — out loud — before finally choosingone.

“I have to go to the pet store to get the boys their last gift but want to do dinner first? I’mstarving.”

He had told me on the way to the mall that he was surprising the boys with a huge aquarium and a pet turtle. Something they’ve wanted for a long timenow.

“Of course you are. You haven’t eaten in like twohours.”

“I’m a growingboy!”

“Mmhmm.”

“So. Dinner? Then the petstore?”

“Goodplan.”

All in all, it was a great day. We were both able to finish our Christmas shopping, and we ended the day eating burgers and fries before we picked up aturtle.

Words I never thought I’d say tumble out of my mouth, “That turtle is actually reallycute.”

“Right? So ugly it’scute.”

When he pulls up next to my car still parked behind the coffee shop, I hesitate just long enough for him to speakup.

“Thank you for coming alongtoday.”

“Thank you for askingme.”

He blows out a breath and rests his head on the back of his seat, watching me watching him. “Lawyer drew up the papers,” he says out of the blue, his voice low. He already told me, but it’s obviously still on hismind.

“Are you okay?” I askquietly.

“More than okay. Not that she gives a shit, but I’m asking for full custody. My lawyer doesn’t think it will be an issue, considering she’s all but abandoned her kids. But I don’t have a place to serve her. Not until we figure out where she’sstaying.”

“I’msorry.”

“Don’t be. Starting to move forward. I want it behind me.Herbehindme.”

I reach over the console and squeeze his forearm, and he closes hiseyes.

We sit in silence for a few beats until the back door to the shop swings open, Paul, one of the college students, bringing a bag of garbage out to thedumpster.

He notices Andy’s pickup truck parked and still running and stares for a bit before he sees me waving to let him know it’s me then waves a hand in return and walks backinside.

Andy and I climb out of the pickup, and he comes around to help me place my bags in my car. I start it up so it has a few minutes to warm up before I headhome.

“Thank you for coming along today,” he repeats his earlierwords.

“You already saidthat.”

“It was worthrepeating.”

“I’m glad you asked me. I hadfun.”

“Told you I was a fundate.”

I glance away then back to him. “Christine?”

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