Page 29 of Something Stronger
I looked around. There weren’t any chairs, and I couldn’t imagine him wanting to sit on the grass. I was covered in paint again, and he was all put together. “Sure?” I sounded just the opposite.
“Is this the project Amy was talking about?” He motioned to the half-painted mural of an advertisement I had finished.
“Yeah. I’m making a painted billboard for my sister’s shop.” I put my hand over my mouth because I was still chewing. “Decided it was lunchtime.” I held up the sandwich.
“It looks great. You’re very talented.” He turned to look at the wall and tipped his head to the side as if he were really examining it.
“Thanks. I just wish it wasn’t so hot.” I fanned my face with my free hand.
“Yeah. Summer in the South is no joke.” He laughed before stretching his legs out in front of him. He was wearing dark jeans and a long-sleeved shirt again and I secretly wondered how he was tolerating it. “Growing up, my dad made us learn every job there was on the farm. I started as a stable hand. Don’t get mewrong, it was hard work, but I appreciate what everyone does for me after doing it myself.” He glanced over at me before looking back at the wall. “How long do you think it’ll take you to finish?”
“A few more days if the weather holds.” I sighed.
“Do you think that you might be able to take a break one evening to have dinner with me?” He bent his knees and rested his arms on top of them. “I feel like I’ve shared about me. I’d like to know more about you.”
“I’m pretty boring,” I murmured. The truth was, I didn’t have any idea why he was interested in me. I was no one special, and would he even want to know me when he heard about Charlie?
“You seem interesting to me.” His lips curled on one side and then he got serious again. “Amy told me her dad wasn’t around. If you’re not ready, I understand, but I’d like to know you better.” He stood up and straightened his hat. “I’ll see you at the studio and you can let me know then. Just think about it.” He nodded and then walked away. Did he just ask me out on a date and what did he mean, ’Amy told me her dad wasn’t in the picture’?
I watched him as he strode down the sidewalk until he disappeared in the distance. I don’t know what he was doing here, and a small part of me wanted to follow him and find out, but then that little voice in my head that sometimes sounded like Charlie reminded me that someone like him would not want someone like me. I shook the thoughts away and finished the last few bites of my lunch before standing up to brush the crumbs away. I’d made good progress this morning, and I had a goal of finishing one more section before calling it quits today. I wanted to outline the words so I could work on finishing those tomorrow, then I’d just need to finish the flowers across the bottom, and it would be done.
I grabbed my brushes and went back to work. I climbed, painted, stepped back to check things, and then repeated. Over and over until well into the afternoon. At one point, I lost track of time, but Amy called and brought me back. Apparently, my sister had invited us for dinner. I was tired, and really just wanted a shower, but decided it would be nice to see the family and not have to cook tonight. I agreed to come over after I stopped by my place and cleaned up and Amy was thrilled with this.
Ooooooooo
The ride to Codie’s seemed shorter every time I made it. When I first moved to Myers with Charlie, we lived on the far side away from Wellspring. It took about an hour to drive to my parents’ house and Charlie made a bigger deal out of it every time I wanted to go. It got to where we hardly ever visited as a family. I had accepted it as the way things were. During our separation, I moved in with Codie. It was great seeing the family every day, but I needed my own space, and Amy had friends in Myers along with dance. The apartment we ended up moving into, was on the opposite side of town from our old house. It was still in Myers, but closer to family. Now, the drive was only about thirty-five minutes and as much as I’d been making it lately, it really didn’t seem all that bad.
When I pulled up in front of Codie’s place, the kids were outside playing basketball with Hank. They all turned to look at me when I cut the engine. “Mom! Watch!” Amy called, as Jack passed her the ball. She squared up in front of the hoop and launched the ball into the air. It hit the backboard and then swished through the net. “Did you see?” She clapped happily.
“That was really good. You gonna add that to your list of things to do?” I laughed.
“When would I have time?” She sighed. “Dance rules my life.” She seemed a little sad when she said it, but it faded, and she started laughing again.
“I’ll be inside.” I waved as I made my way around them and opened the front door. “Codie?” I called as the cool air conditioning hit my face. After being outside all day, it felt heavenly.
“Hey.” She grinned as she turned from where she was standing at the stove. “How was your day?”
“Hot!” I fanned at my face as I sat down on one of the barstools that lined the island. “Hank might need a back rub after all that.” I tipped my head toward the commotion I could hear coming from outside.
“He says he’s practicing.” Codie rolled her eyes.
“Practicing?” I was confused. Was he planning to coach or something?
“He wants a baby. I’m not sure I do.” Her lips twisted. “I mean, I’m kinda past that point. Jack’s eleven. I’m almost forty. I don’t really want to go back to that place. I like not having to cart around a stroller or worry so much about bedtime and naps. I just… I don’t know. I told him we could try and see what happens, but part of me hopes it doesn’t happen.” She wiped her hands on her apron. “Does that make me a bad person?” She turned to look at me.
“You’re asking your sister, who was married to an alcoholic for twelve years and dealt with an absentee father? I’m the last one to be giving advice, but I will say you need to be honest. Don’t let him think you’re trying for a baby if you really aren’t.”
“I just feel like I took that away from him. He never got any of the baby stuff.” She released a deep breath and then turned back to the stove. “Ignore me,” she muttered.
“No, I get it. The plan was for you two to be together, and you weren’t for that part. You did that with Alex. Remind himthat by skipping the baby stuff he doesn’t have to get up in the middle of the night, or clean up puke, or eat a cold meal because the baby is hungry and wants to eat, and don’t you tell me you’d be doing all of that because I know Hank and I know he would be an equal partner in all of that.” I wagged my finger at her.
“Of course he would, and that’s why I’m so torn over this.” I watched as she grabbed a pan of bread and placed it in the oven.
“You know there’s nothing wrong with being the fun uncle? I’m sure Carrie or Ginny will be having a kid in the next several years.” I tossed it out there. I had no idea if this were remotely true. Carrie hadn’t really dated anyone since her last boyfriend left to pursue his music and Ginny had been concentrating on school.
Codie started laughing. “I noticed you didn’t mention our favorite sister. She’s the one out of all of us who I thought would be popping out babies. I mean, how many men has she been seen with?”
“Gia’s too selfish to be a mom. It’s all about her. She’s got to grow up before she can take care of a baby. I’m guess Mom made sure she knew about protection before she let her fly off into the blue yonder.” It was then that Hank and the kids came inside.
