Page 186 of Black Flag

It made me feelslightly better to see the snarky side of Alley return. She’d becomeincreasingly sympathetic and supportive these last few days and it was becomingintolerable. I could only handle so much sympathy. I needed someone to tell methe way it was.

“Alley is right sweetie...” Nancy jumped in while continuing topet me. “Charlie already knows that.”

“She’s just nervous.”Alley deduced examining my rather distraught expression. “Give her some water.”

“I’d be nervous too ifI was committing myself to someone likeJamesonfor the rest of mylife.” Emma said handing me a bottle of water.

“Emma!” Nancy slappedher upside the head. “You’re not helping.” She turned toward me again, rubbingmy back. “Just take deep breaths if you’re feeling overwhelmed.”

“You’re starting tosound like you’re directing a porno, Nancy.” I told her, blowing my nose.

“Okay,shhh...there you go sweetie,”she said, ignoring my comment.

I didn’t realizeCharlie was standing there until I heard him clear his throat. Emma, Alley, andNancy quickly made excuses as to why they needed to leave.

They all smiled atCharlie before leaving, he stepped forward and leaned against the wall,smiling. “You look beautiful sweetheart.”

“Thanks dad. I’m sorry...I’m just...”

“Emotional.” Hefinished for me.

“Yeah...I guess I am.” I nodded and turned tolook at myself in the mirror again.

We sat there in silencefor a few moments before he moved from his place against the wall and pulled meinto a tight hug.

“I wish your mothercould see you today. She would be so proud of you. I’m proud of you. You’vegrown into such a beautiful young woman.” His voice broke as a tear slippeddown his cheek. “I can still remember seeing you for the first time...” he couldn’t finish and began crying.“I’m just so happy I was able to be here for you today.”

Oh Jesus, now look atme!Istarted crying even harder.

“Thank you dad foreverything,” I choked. “I’ll always remember this day, right here.”

This was another one ofthose moments where I was crying uncontrollably, and not in a normal way.Tears, drool and snot were flowing in abundance. Poor Charlie just held me,crying as well, I don’t think he really knew what to do at this point.

I was tempted to askVan to find us some Ben and Jerry’s to pull us out of our emotional breakdownbut didn’t. Instead, I just cried it out with Charlie.

Flywheel – Jameson

I was slow getting outof bed this morning. My cold was still hanging on a little and after gettingdrunk with the boys, chasing shots of Yukon Jack withNyquil, I wastired. But when I thought about what today was, I was more than ready to startthe day.

After today, Sway Reinswouldfinallybe my wife.

Rolling over, I swungmy legs out of bed to find Spencer on my floor in just his underwear. I kickedhim in the stomach. “Put some fucking clothes on.”

He just moaned, curlingup with his pants under his cheek.

Showering and finallyshaving the “championship challenge” as Tate called it.

Around the time I tookover thepointsbattle in Charlotte, Bobby, Tate andme decided on some good healthy competition throwing back beers that night. Wewouldn’t shave until the championship was over. Since I hadn’t shaved a weekprior to that, I had a good three month growth now. I didn’t think Sway wantedto marry a logger today so I went ahead and shaved.

It took us a goodcouple hours to get going that morning and to find Lane. We eventually foundhim sleeping in the kitchen pantry with a box of Captain Crunch.

I’m not sure whose ideait was to leave a three-year old alone with us last night but it sure wasn’t agood one. For one, judging by his moody demeanor, he clearly didn’t get enoughsleep. But the worst part was his hair.

For the past year, Lanehas asked Alley for a Mohawk. When Spencer got drunk and shaved his usual wavymess of black hair into a Travis Barker Mohawk, well Lane was slightlyirritated that his dad was allowed to and he couldn’t. So you put a group ofsix guys alone with a 3-year old begging you for a Mohawk, what do you think wedid?

“Nice hair Lane.”

“It pretty awesome,” Henodded once we were in the car. He ran his hand over the spikes grinning. “Ithinking mama willlovdit.”

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