Page 24 of Rescue
“Yeah, actually. It’s Penelope.”
“What? Really? That’s crazy, man, but good for you. Penny is a hell of a girl. Anyone would be lucky to have her.”
“Thanks, Bro. I think so too. Hopefully she feels the same way.”
“Dude, you’re a catch,” Bryant adds in.
I laugh a little to myself. “Thanks, Bry.”
We spend the rest of the evening watching college football, drinking beer, and catching up. The only thing that would have made it better is if Mason had been there. He said something about having a property to look at so he couldn’t come. I’ve been so stressed about everything that happened with the Callahans and the deal that I’ve just been going to work and straight back home. Sometimes I stop at Mabel’s, but otherwise I’ve been a hermit. I guess I’ve taken more lessons from Mason than I knew. The man knows how to brood.
I end up crashing on their couch since I had a few beers and wake to the sound of one of the twins puttering around the kitchen. I start smelling coffee and hear the bacon starting to pop so I guess that means I need to get up. I look at my phone and see it’s just after 9. I can’t remember the last time I slept this late. My back pops and my bad knee protests as I get up off the couch. I’m getting way too old to be sleeping on a couch.
I use the bathroom and splash some water on my face. Walking back out and into the kitchen, breakfast is in full swing. Bryant works the grill and Brody cooks the breakfast. He’s really in his element as he juggles all the different pans. He’s cooking bacon on one and pancakes on the other. Once the bacon is done he’ll throw some scrambled eggs in there and finish it all up.
I hear a knock on the door and turn, thinking it’ll be Mason. He’s usually up early so he makes his rounds around town when he can, especially if he thinks he’ll get a meal out of it. I don’t know how the man lives alone and still hates to cook, but we all know the way to Mason is through his stomach. It’s almost like a sixth sense he has to know when someone is cooking. He shows up at the most convenient times.
I’m surprised when the door opens, and it’s not Mason I see, but Dad. My dad is a tall imposing man with a voice that sounds like he’s constantly yelling at you. As children we joked that he sounded more like a used car salesman than someone in sporting goods. He always has a ballcap on to hide his mostly bald head. I swear everyone knows the man is balding, but he refuses to face it. He’s prideful like that. Never to a fault of course. He knows how to be humble when needed. He wouldn’t have succeeded the way he did otherwise.
When most people meet Dad, they probably think he doesn’t have a soft side, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. He loves my mother with his whole heart and he never shied away from showing that around us boys. He raised us to be responsible, respectful men while somehow managing to be pretty lenient. I have to give him credit, he’s been an amazing dad and taught me most of what I know now about how to treat a woman, how to run a business, and how to just be a good person in general. I have a lot to thank him for, though I’m not sure I’ve ever said it. Now isn’t the time, I know, but it needs to be said.
“Miles,” he says with his powerful voice, “I was just driving by and saw your truck. How are ya, son?” He crosses the room and gives me a hug. I may be a grown man, and I might not admit in front of a crowd, but hugs from my dad are still awesome. I hug him back, not so long that it's awkward, but long enough that he knows I love him.
“Yeah, I came over last night to watch the game with the guys and ended up staying the night. Brody’s almost done with breakfast and then I’ll head home. What’s got you out this morning?” I ask as we make our way through the living room and into the kitchen where Dad greets Brody with the same affectionate hug. My dad might be an enormous 6’6” man, but he loves his sons and he makes sure they know it.
“Well, your mother said she’s going to brunch with the girls and she’s not cooking for just me, so I thought I’d see if anyone was up here, on the off chance Brody was making breakfast.” He shoots a pleading glance towards Brody. “If he wasn’t up yet, I was going to head to The Fried Egg. A man’s gotta have a decent breakfast!” He rubs his stomach like Mom’s been starving him. In all reality, he’s probably eaten at least a bowl of cereal. My dad isn’t a small man, and he definitely doesn’t miss a meal.
Brody laughs and grins. “Of course I’ve got breakfast for you, Dad. I’m just finishing up here. How many eggs do you want?”
As if on cue, Bryant walks out with his hair going everywhere, eyes hardly open and grumbles, “Three for me. Morning, Dad, Miles. This place is crowded this morning.” He’s never been much of a morning person. He and Brody are the exact opposite, but their bond is uncanny.
“Only one missing then is-” I start but am interrupted by two knocks on the door and then Mason pushing it open.
“Did someone say breakfast?” He gives us a questioning look as we all laugh.
We enjoy a delicious breakfast, talking and laughing and just enjoying each other. It’s been too long since we’ve done this.
After breakfast I drive home and start getting ready for my date this evening. I’m grateful the twins didn’t mention it at breakfast this morning. It was enough just telling them, I didn’t want to have to go over it again with Dad and Mason.
I’ve thought a lot about what we should do tonight, but I’ve decided to just keep it simple. I’m going to grill steak and potatoes for us and we can eat it next to the fire pit outside. I set up some pillows and blankets because I know from the magazines that we have at the store that women like that kind of thing. It’s been so long since I’ve done anything like this, but I don’t want to think about the past, so I push it aside and focus on Penelope.
She’s not like most girls I’ve met or dated. I’ve always dated strong, confident, self-assured women. Not that Penny isn’t any of those things, it’s just that she’s sweeter somehow. Like she’s just coming into who she is, and I would love to be the person to help her do that. I love watching her reactions and cute facial expressions. I feel almost hypnotized when I’m with her, like we’re the only people in the room. I’ve never felt that way with anyone else. I don’t know what that means, but it’s true.
The steaks have been marinating since I got home and the fire pit is set up. I checked the weather earlier, and though it should be in the mid 40s tonight, the wind shouldn’t be too bad and there’s no rain on the radar. I know better than anyone how quickly the weather can shift, but tonight I’m praying to the weather gods.
I take a quick shower, brush my teeth, and comb my hair, then head to my closet to pick out something to wear. I don’t have many options, but I’ve got a few things that will work. I grab a nice black t-shirt and my best pair of jeans. I want to be casual, but still look nice. I head back to the bathroom and add some cologne. I don’t want to overdo it, but I want her to know I made an effort.
I realize too late that I still have 3 hours left until it’s time to go pick her up. I guess I should have looked at the clock before I went ahead and got all dressed up. Belatedly I remember that I haven’t eaten anything for lunch so I head to the kitchen to see what I can throw together.
I manage to scrounge up the makings of a decent sandwich, but in doing so I’m reminded that I’ve neglected some things around the house these last couple of weeks and my food supply is embarrassingly low. I check the clock and it’s only been 30 minutes. I must have it bad. Seeing how much time I have left, I decide to head to the grocery store and pick up some groceries. Maybe I can even find some fresh flowers. Ladies like those, right?
The grocery store seems to take forever and I’m stopped by what must be every woman in town. I don’t know what the deal is today, but it was like they all lined up one by one in the produce section to ask me how I’ve been and how the family was doing, completely disregarding the fact that I’m sure half of them had seen at least one of them in the not too distant past. This isn’t a large town, folks, you’re not fooling me.
I have just enough time to run home and unload and put away my groceries before it’s time for me to head out to Penny’s. My stomach is in knots, but it’s not an unwelcome or unpleasant feeling, which seems odd. I don’t know what it is about this woman that makes me feel this way, but I’m having too much fun exploring it to care. It’s been so long since I’ve let myself feel anything for a woman, but I’ve decided to embrace it.
I think I’ve been living in the past for too long. It’s time to lay these demons down and get back to living. I smile to myself and grab my keys. I’m ready for life.
