Page 47 of Lone Star Longing
“There aren’t a lot of places between here and there, and some of the places are less than savory.”
“I am prepared for that reality.”
He laughed. “As long as you are. Since four, huh? You’ll be asleep before the sun comes up.”
“I bet I won’t. At least not until about ten.”
“So have you given any more thought to what you were talking about before? About moving to San Angelo?”
“Yeah, I’m not going to do that. Austin should be back in town in a couple of months. I’ve decided he can do the honors, after all. It will be weird, but it’s his job, right? As much as I like Dr. Fredrick, and I’ll keep going to her as long as I can, it doesn’t make any sense to upend my life just because I don't want my friend up in my business.”
“I don't remember too much about high school but didn't you date him for a while?”
“No, we were just friends. After his mom was accused of all those horrible things, he needed a friend, and we were just kind of there for each other. Poppy was the one who had the crush on him. As skinny as he was. She swore she loved him for his brain. But he was too determined to get out of town to tie himself down with a girlfriend.”
“So is she seeing anyone now?”
“She goes out with Trey every once in a while, but it’s not serious. Just companionship. They don't have all that much in common.”
“So is she excited that Austin is coming back?”
“We haven’t really talked about it. My fault, for being so wrapped up in my own drama, I guess. I wonder.”
“What about Con? Is he seeing anyone?”
That was an odd question. “No. I mean, you know he got married? But it didn't last very long. I feel sad for him because I know this isn’t how he saw his life turning out.”
“I had no idea about him getting married. To who? I mean, I thought he and Britt were meant to be, you know? We all did.”
“Yeah, well, I mean, neither one of them really knew how to handle the tragedy. Instead of turning together, they turned away from each other. It was really horrible to see. I’ll never forget So what about you? What are you going to do now that your mom’s house is almost done? Are you going to go back to work for Riley?”
“I don't think he’d take me back, not the way I left him.”
“That’s a shame.”
“I guess, but I can’t blame him. And I don't know if I want to do the whole traveling from place to place anymore. It’s been kind of nice to have a home base the past few weeks.”
“You don't think you’ll get restless?”
“Maybe. But so far I’m not. I’ve actually been thinking about seeing what’s available in the basin.”
She shifted in her seat to look at him. “I bet there are a lot of jobs available there for an engineer.”
“Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. And if I do that, maybe I’ll get an apartment in San Angelo or Midland, depending where the job is, and come back on weekends to check on Mom, and maybe that way she can stay in her house.”
“Oh, she would love that. She’ll never let either of us know, but she really likes all the changes you’re making out there.”
“How can you tell?”
“She’s more active, haven't you noticed? She walks around more, goes outside more now that the porch is fixed. Maybe we can get her a chair or something so she can sit out there and enjoy it.”
“Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. I’d like to get her away from the TV, stimulate her brain a little more, you know? She’s not as old as she acts.”
“She would be happier in her home. How close have you come to looking for a job in the basin?”
He laughed. “Just thinking about it. Not even looking online to see if there are such jobs. And it would be a learning curve.”
“And the money wouldn’t be as good.”
