Page 16 of The Devil You Know
Seth and Jesse had talked about his high school graduation and college applications while Seth was deployed. Indiana State was affordable, well-ranked, and close to home. When Jesse had gotten accepted, Seth couldn’t have been prouder.
Brazil wasn’t a tourist town, so the people they passed on the sidewalk were likely to be locals. The weather was mild considering it was nearly Halloween, and Seth figured that he and Jesse weren’t the only ones trying to enjoy a walk before the cold settled in to stay.
Seth noticed a dark-haired man walking half a block ahead of them. He couldn’t see a face, but something about the way the man moved made Seth certain they knew each other. Before he could think too much about it, he and Jesse had to stop for a traffic light, and when they could cross, the other man was gone.
“Something wrong?” Jesse asked.
Seth shook his head, although the déjà vu feeling remained. “No. I just thought I saw someone I knew…but I didn’t stay in touch with anyone from high school, and I imagine a lot of people have moved on. So I can’t figure out who it might have been.”
“It’s a small town—if someone lives here, you’ll see them again,” Jesse assured him. “C’mon—we can’t be late for dinner.”
When they walked back into the house, Seth paused, drinking in the familiar sight. He had dreamed about coming home so often while he was overseas, and it was hard to convince himself that he was really back.
“Dinner’s on the way—go wash up and set the table,” Linda called to them. “Your dad will be here soon.”
Bustling around the kitchen felt so familiar that Seth could almost forget that years had elapsed and that he’d ever left. They laughed and joked as they nearly bumped into each other more than once, and by the time their father arrived, everything was ready.
“This smells fantastic,” Brian Tanner said as he walked in carrying a pizza with the works from Niccolo’s.
Seth decided that retirement looked good on his dad. His parents owned a local construction and remodeling company, and while its success provided well for their family over the years, Seth knew the stress took a toll. The recent sale seemed to take a weight off both parents’ shoulders.
“How did the fifth-wheeler upgrades go?” Seth asked, intrigued and amused by his dad’s sudden obsession with going on the road in style.
“All finished. We are going to have the classiest home on wheels on the highway.”
Seeing his dad’s wide smile was worth the price of the camper. “Did you know that there are RV clubs? You join and people go on trips like a caravan or meet at the campground. Even if you don’t make new friends, at least the other campers might not be total strangers.”
“Like a motorcycle gang, but with trailers?” Jesse teased.
Brian grinned. “Exactly! Maybe we should get matching jackets.”
“I am not wearing a Hell’s Angel vest,” Linda called from the dining room.
Brian slipped up behind her and kissed her ear, winning a surprised squeak in return. “You’d look good as a biker chick.”
She gave a playful swat at his hand on her shoulder, but the pleased smile made it clear she was flattered. “Does that make you a leather daddy?”
Jesse choked, and Seth barely hid a snicker. He wasn’t sure his father got the joke, but from the wicked gleam in his mom’s eyes, he knew Linda meant what she said.
“Looks like you’re going to have a very interesting retirement,” Seth said, barely managing to keep a straight face.
The pizza was as good as it smelled.
Seth’s mom talked about the locations she wanted to visit, while his dad described all about the fancy improvements to make a comfortable camper luxurious.
Seth told funny stories from his deployment. Much of the work had been grim and dangerous, but he and his friends still managed to have some good times, and Seth didn’t want to forget the happier moments.
He loved the insights into Jesse’s college life that his brother’s tales provided. Seth knew he’d missed some big moments in Jesse’s life, and hearing the stories helped fill in the empty spaces.
When they finally left the table, Brian couldn’t hold back a yawn. They had started late and lingered over conversation, and it was nearly ten by the time Seth and Jesse carried the dishes to the sink.
“You two crazy kids go on and get some rest,” Seth said to his parents as he ran water into the sink. “We’ll clean up.”
“Don’t overload the dishwasher,” Linda warned.
“They’re adults. They can figure it out,” Brian told her, tugging her toward the hallway. “See you in the morning.”
Seth watched them go, unsure whether to be amused or disturbed by his parents flirting on their way to their bedroom.
