Page 2 of Crow's Haven
“We’re gonna go to the clubhouse,” I say. “We’re gonna wrangle up the prospects and slap a fresh coat of paint onto the picnic tables. Gotta keep the place looking sharp for the brothers.”
Chase’s eyes light up and he immediately asks, “Can we paint too, Dad? Can we? Please?” he pleads, bouncing in his seat.
I grin. “You bet. But listen up. No running wild, climbing on the tables, or throwing paint at your brother.”
Chase pipes up again, eyes alight with excitement. “Are we gonna see Levi and Evan? I wanna show ‘em my paint skills!”
“You’ll see ‘em,” I promise.
Scout nods solemnly, but Chase’s grin just widens.
“Alright, you grease monkeys,” I say after breakfast is over. “Time to wash up and get dressed. We’re not wearing our Sunday best to paint in. You’re gonna wear old clothes, like me.” I stand up and begin clearing the plates. “Let’s get this mess cleaned up before we hit the road.”
The boys scramble for paper towels, helping in the way only six-year-olds can, mostly by knocking over glasses and wiping sticky syrup onto the floor. My boys work hard but create more problems than they solve in a day. But really? I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Chase states, “I’m gonna be the best painter in the crew.”
Scout asks, “Can we use our pretend club names today?”
“Hell yeah,” I tell him good-naturedly. “Just remember what I said about sticking close today. No running off or disappearing on me, Sprocket.”
Scout nods seriously. “Got it, Dad. Stay close, listen to you.”
“Damn right,” I say. “I ain’t losing either of you today.”
The boys settle down a little, the excitement mixing with the seriousness I laid down. Then I drop the big surprise of the day.
“Sidecar’s back from the shop,” I say. “That means you two will be riding to the clubhouse in style again.”
Their cheers erupt, loud enough to wake the dead.
“Sidecar rides!” Chase shouts, jumping up and down.
Scout high-fives Chase so hard it topples him out of his seat. Chase doesn’t care. He just laughs.
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Alright, alright, calm down. But remember the rules. You have to wear your helmet and safety harness at all times, and no standing up while we’re moving. Can you do that? If not we’re takin’ the truck.”
They both nod solemnly. I catch a glimpse of the mess on the floor and sigh, but damn if that noise and those smiles don’t make it all worth it.
“Let’s head upstairs and find you two some old clothes to paint in,” I say, with a swift jerk of my chin towards the stairs.
Chase pauses, glancing at me with those big curious eyes. “Dad… is Mommy gonna be there?”
I freeze for a split second. This question comes up every so often, but it still catches me off guard every single time. I kneel down to their level, looking Chase in the eye.
“We already talked about this, Chase.”
“Throttle,” Chase reminds me. “I’m Throttle today, remember?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
His expression pinches, “Is she dead?”
“What? Hell no, where did you get that from?”
He just shrugs.
“Look, son, your mom… she’s like a butterfly that couldn’t stay still. Had to fly off and do her own thing,” I say softly. “She ain’t comin’ back. It’s just the three of us now. You need to accept that.”
