Page 38 of You Can Make Me
“I’ll have to do small loads, but I can get these done today.”
“Thank you so much. Here, let me carry that.” I took the bundle from her, and we made our way to the Harris family RV.
“This is a nice rig,” I said, as I followed them up the steps and inside.
“Thanks,” Frank said. “We bought our first one the summer before Cooper was a senior in high school, so we could go as a family to visit colleges.”
“That was a pretty epic road trip,” Cooper said. “We covered a lot of territory. Dad wanted me to check out Ivy League schools, so we went out East, and Mom thought Tulane was the best choice. After all that, I ended up staying in Vegas.”
“And you had a great time,” Deb said with a laugh. “You were king of the city even then.”
I turned and raised an eyebrow at Cooper. I knew he was thinking the same thing I was. He’d promised me a tour. Would we get to it eventually? There were so many things I wanted us to do. Vegas was just one of the destinations I had in mind. I’d never traveled abroad other than my deployments. Would he want to go with me? Would he humor my quirky bucket list of trips? Cemeteries, funky art installations, historical sites…
“I remember you saying once you thought about doing the RV life,” Cooper said with mischief in his voice. He smiled at me as he took a seat next to Sam in the banquette.
I’d told him that buying an RV was a better option than losing another house I’d fixed up to an ex-wife, but I didn’t need to remind Coop’s parents that their son was involved with a two-time divorcee. I had a decent savings and pension, but no tangible assets. I wondered if that bothered Cooper? He grewup with money, and he’d done well for himself. I could hold my own, but what did I bring to this potential partnership besides my caretaking and protection skills?
“Well, you two are welcome to take this baby out anytime. We upgraded to this one a few years ago, but we haven’t traveled in it much. Maybe three or four times now. It’s a little bigger than we need,” Frank said, glancing around deep in thought. “Might downsize.”
“That’s not a bad idea, Frank. Coop, you think you might want this one?”
“I just might. Talk to me before you do anything. Maybe I’ll just become a roving reporter.”
“As long as you come visit me,” Sam said. “You can’t disappear again.”
Cooper gave her an apologetic smile, but before he could speak, Frank cut in.
“I hope you like sweets,” he said. “Deb made her world-famous muffins.”
“And Frank will make smoothies to order. Coop, you want your usual?”
“Sure, Dad. Thank you.”
Frank laid out strawberries, blueberries, peaches, bananas, orange juice, pomegranate juice…and spinach? And carrots? Were those beets? He also had a large tub of plain yogurt and protein powder. He used a small blender to mix the drink. It was loud, and Cooper flinched a little. I wished I was next to him, but Sam caught his movement and distracted him. He was back to smiling a moment later.
“Dennis?”
Frank gestured to the spread.
“Thanks. Uh, no banana, please.”
He nodded and made mine next. I was grateful when he handed it to me that I’d have something to keep my hands busy.I kept thinking about my guys being out there while I wasn’t. I was mostly fine with my decision to retire, I didn’t regret it, but I didn’t do idle well.
Cooper and Sam laughed and carried on while Deb tossed our clothes in her washer and turned it on. Frank continued with his smoothie duties. Deb started to slide onto the bench next to me, but I stood and let her scoot in so she could sit next to Cooper. She gave me a wink then rested her head on Cooper’s shoulder. They were so sweet together. You could feel the relief rolling off of both Deb and Frank in the way they were around Cooper.
When Frank finished, he approached the bench, and I stood once more to let him scoot in and sit next to his wife.
“Oh, it’s okay,” he said, trying to let me stay where I was.
“Cop thing,” I said, insisting that he let me sit on the outside of the booth.
“Yeah, Gene always has to sit where he can dash out at a moment’s notice,” Sam said, smiling at me. “I learned pretty quick that they don’t ever turn it off.”
All eyes turned to me, and I gave a little wave and laughed. “I’m retired now, so who knows? Maybe I’ll learn.”
Sam and Cooper looked at each other—and burst out laughing.
Frank patted my shoulder. “While my case is a little different, I think I understand. I rarely stop thinking like a reporter.”
