Page 44 of The Apple Tree

“We’re going to let him tire out while I finish my coffee, and then he’ll play with his tractors in the dirt while I teach you a new skill. Okay?”

I glanced over at him and nodded, not wanting to smile because I was still mad that he made Denise sound like Josh’s new hero. She let him play with paint. So what? It didn’t compare to applesauce.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah. Why?” I focused on Josh.

“I don’t know. You seem less enthusiastic than usual.”

“Long night,” I mumbled, not meaning it to be anything more than a quick excuse, but when Kyle’s body stiffened, I realized he thought I was talking about my date with the imaginary lawyer.

Was he jealous? I relished that idea.

“Are you seeing Denise again?”

He narrowed his eyes, watching Josh. “Depends if she says the new toilet is leaking.”

“That’s not what I mean.”

“I know it’s not.” He set his coffee mug on the ground and helped Josh retrieve his arrows.

“I’m done.” Josh marched toward the barn. “I have to piss.” He grabbed his crotch.

I covered my mouth to muffle my laugh.

“Potty,” Kyle quickly corrected.

“Adam says piss,” Josh said.

“Adam’s a bad influence. Can you make it to the house?”

Josh shook his head a half dozen times.

“Then go in the grass.”

Josh pulled down his pants and underwear.

“Buddy, never in front of a lady. Go to the side of the barn.”

I snorted as Josh waddled off, mooning me the whole way.

Kyle returned with the arrows, slowly shaking his head.

I couldn’t hold my giggle in any longer.

“Don’t have kids until you’re ready to relinquish every last ounce of your dignity. Parenting is taking responsibility for another human’s actions for roughly eighteen years.”

“Bummer. That means I can no longer blame my actions on my parents.” I said.

“Correct.” He tried to give me a serious look, but the corners of his eyes crinkled like they were smiling.

“When he overflowed the toilet at my house, he yelled, ‘Oh, shit!’”

“God damn …” Kyle grumbled. “Of course he did.” He picked up his bow. “I lowered the tension on this for you last night. Hopefully, you have enough strength to pull it back.” He handed it to me, stepped behind me, and pressed his body to mine to show me how to hold it. “Don’t grip it with your entire hand. It’s going to rest here along the pad of your thumb. If it crosses the lifeline of your hand, your forearm will be in line with the string, and you’ll hit your arm, which will hurt. And you want to keep this area as relaxed as possible while pulling back.”

I wouldn’t remember a single word because my brain was focused on his body heat and his fingers brushing my hand to show me where to rest the bow.

“Don’t hold your breath. It will make you shake more. It’s about steadying your breath.”

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