Page 91 of Hold Me Instead
“Jesus, how did you all have the energy?” Zachary asked.
“One of my favorite things to do. Extra special since you’re home too.” She reached forward to pat his arm, just as he eased into Sandra’s driveway, shaded by a white pine tree.
“Allowed her to have a break from me but still hover,” Daniel grumbled.
“Oh look, the kids were watching for us,” his mom said, ignoring Daniel.
Jeanie opened her door, and the dogs hopped out just as Vivi and Alex burst from the two-story, red brick colonial house and down the stone front steps with their fluffy Maltese, Puff. The front yard had a large maple tree with straggler leaves remaining, its branches spanningthe lawn. Puff hopped around, barking commands at all the guests, weaving between the other dogs. Zachary helped Maple out of the back seat, then scooped up Alex and flipped him over his shoulder, his peals of laughter ringing through the neighborhood.
“Zachary, carry this inside.” Jeanie set a stack of dishes in his free arm.
“Okay, buddy, let’s bring in the food,” Zachary said, still toting his nephew.
“Doo, do, do, DOO! To the castle!” Alex sang his toddler tune.
“Oh my apologies,Prince Alexander,” Zachary said as he reached the midnight-blue front door. It framed the three-quarter glass window, and he saw his sister as she approached on the other side.
Sandra opened the door, hair in a low ponytail, sleeves rolled on a teal blouse, and a black apron tied around her waist. She reached toward the dishes and wiggled her fingers. “Gimme.”
“You guys went all out,” Zachary said.
“What are you talking about?”
He gestured at the food. “Mom made a ton of sh—stuff.” He caught himself and tickled Alex. “Sounds like you did too. You’d think this family wasn’t going through something right now.”
“Jay and I cooked together, so it wasn’t that bad. Besides, it calms me. Really.”
“You sound like Mom,” he murmured.
“Well, it’s true.” Sandra shrugged, then lowered her voice. “I could tell it was really important to her. She wanted this to be…special.”
“I could’ve done more than bring beer. I feel like a jerk.” Alex squirmed for freedom, so Zachary set him down, watching as the little guy kicked off his shoes and ran through the house.
“Aw, you’re not a jerk.” Sandra started to walk toward her kitchen, then glanced over her shoulder with a mischievous grin. “Just an idiot. But don’t worry, it’s only from time to time.”
Zachary called after her, “Watch your back, Sandra. Plenty of pies around looking for a face!”
“There’s only one pie today, and your niece made it!”
“Damn,” he muttered.
Sandra’s burst of laughter followed as he stepped outside to grab the beer from his trunk.
His dad sat on a bench near the front door, rust-colored leaves piled on the mulch at his feet. Zachary swallowed the thick ball of emotion in his throat, registering his dad for the first time as an older man, a grandfather. Daniel’s shirt was a plaid of light blue and gray, the material heavy against his frame. He had one arm draped over the back of the bench, fingers tapping the wrought iron while he watched Jeanie and Vivi play with the dogs. Vivi giggled as she leaned toward Maple, getting kisses all over her face in return as the dog loped around with her slow-motion gait.
Zachary smiled, glancing back to his dad, only to do a double-take. His father had the smallest of smiles on his face, but it showed an immense amount of love for the scene before him. His eyes glistened, his frame and posture stoic. Zachary moved toward his car, barely catching movement as his dad wiped his hand across his cheeks.
“Uncle Zachy, did you watch the parade?” Vivi asked as she bounded over.
“I did not. Was it awesome?”
She nodded solemnly. “We recorded it. Wanna watch it withme?”
He closed the trunk, smiling. Ah, to have the enthusiasm of a child who could watch a parade over and over. “I’d love to.”
“Yes!” She pumped her fist in the air for emphasis, then took off for the front door, the pack of dogs following after her.
Zachary bent to pick up the beer and saw his mom leaning over his dad, their voices too soft to carry. Jeanie pressed a kiss to Daniel’s head, and his dad smiled, a look of devotion between them like they were the only ones there. His mom held out her hand as his dad stood, and they walked up the front steps and into the house.
