Page 8 of Finding Home
“That’s good. Did you make any friends?”
Silence fills the line, and I dip my head, running my hand through my hair. I worried about how this move was going to impact Lila, at least in the beginning. She doesn’t know anyone, and that’s hard on a little girl.
“Everyone knows everyone, but I know no one,” she whispers, and I sigh.
“I know, Liles, but you’ll get to know them, and I’m sure you’ll have lots of friends.”
“I miss Katie,” she says. Katie is her best friend from Calgary. Getting her to say goodbye was hard. They both cried, and it tore at me to see how sad she was to be leaving her best friend and the place we had there.
“How about I call Katie’s mom and see if you can call her this weekend?”
Lila’s soft sniffles come through the line. “Really?”
“Yeah. I’ll see if we can set it up as a video call and maybe get a movie set up and everything.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
“Of course, Peanut. I love you.”
“Love you, Daddy.”
“Have a good night. Let me talk to Grandma Delores quickly.”
My mother felt she was too young to be called Grandma when Renee got pregnant and insisted on being called Mimzy. My parents haven’t been around a lot since Lila’s been born, granted they weren’t around much before then either. Grandma hasn’t left Willow Valley in nearly twenty years. When Grandpa got sick, she vowed to never leave his side, and she didn’t. She remained in Willow Valley, taking care of him until he passed five years ago. Since then, it’s been hard for her to consider leaving this town. It’s where he’s buried. It’s where they met, fell in love, and raised their family. Every one of their important memories is in this town. That’s why when she called and told me she was sick I knew I wasn’t going to ask her to move to the city so I could watch out for her and take care of her when the time came. I immediately knew I’d be moving to the small town I hadn’t visited since my grandfather’s funeral.
I spent nearly every summer with my grandparents growing up. It was a great way for my parents to be able to do whatever they wanted without the trouble of having to deal with their kid. My grandparents gave me a sense of stability my parents never did. We talked all the time during the school year. My grandmother was the one who gave me shit about my grades, saying I needed to graduate if I wanted to provide a life for myself, and my grandfather taught me to stand by my family. My parents didn’t do those things. My parentscouldn’t even be bothered to show up to half my parent–teacher conferences. They were constantly seeking out new and exciting things, and the wants and needs of their child were not at the top of their priority list.
In high school, I vowed to myself I’d be more like my grandfather than my parents, dependable, consistent, and caring.
I hear some shuffling, and then Grandma’s soft voice comes through. “How are you, Everett?”
“I’m good, how was Lila after school?”
Grandma doesn’t say anything for a few seconds, allowing the silence to stew. “She was okay. She seemed a little down, but I’m sure she’ll be makin’ friends in no time and be happy as a pig in shit.”
I bite my lip, holding back my grin. Grandma never held back her language when I was around, and I haven’t stopped swearing around Lila either. I try to tone it down when we’re together, but when she’s out in the world, I can’t expect people to all change and not swear, so she’s got to get used to hearing it and learn that they’re adult words and when she’s older and understands them then we can discuss her using them. She dropped the word shit once, and all I had to do was give her a look and she apologized and never swore again.
“I’m sure you’re right,” I say.
“I’m always right. You should know that by now.”
I nod and smile even though she can’t see me through the phone. “You have everything you need for her nighttime routine?” I ask.
“I’ve got it all. Now stop fussin’ and get back to work. You’ll see her tomorrow after school.”
“Night, Grandma, and thanks for taking her.”
“No thanks needed, I’m glad to have my great-granddaughter here and to have you back in town. Be safe.”
“Always,” I say before I disconnect the call.
For the rest of the night, we get two medical calls, otherwise the men are all in the common area playing cards or watching TV before they head to the bunks while I remain in my office finishing my review of allthe files.
I don’t know why I’m anxious as I stand outside Lila’s school waiting for her to come out after the bell rings, but as soon as I see Chloe behind a group of kids as they make their way out of the building, I know why. I can’t see her and not have something about that night hit me. This time, it’s the sparkle in her eyes when she smiles as the kids beeline their way towards parents.
Lila is the last kid out, and when she spots me, she yells, “Daddy,” and is barreling towards me as I crouch to catch her.
“Hi, Peanut.”
