Page 51 of Accidental Fire
“When are you leaving?” I couldn’t fathom her not being there. I didn’t know what Nate would do without her.
“Nate accepted my resignation and even bought me a first-class ticket home. He even gave me a nice check, so I’m all set. He’s already interviewing housekeepers, so don’t fret. You know he’ll always be fine. Now, let’s change the subject. How are things going with River?” She turned and gave me a kind smile.
Hearing his name triggered my goofy grin. We’d spent all day on Friday in bed, and we’d decided that maybe someday in the future, we might venture into penetration, but for now, we were happy with loving each other in the ways we were currently enjoying.
“Things are going great. We’re just enjoying these two weeks before we head to Vancouver for a show at the Commodore Ballroom. The band has been writing songs like crazy, and they’ve introduced a few new ones while on tour that Olive thinks have to be included on the first album. Nate said that if there are enough songs, they’ll issue a double live album or put out a second one shortly after the first releases. River and the guys are trying to decide which songs they really want on the first album and which ones they think can go on their second.”
River had been excited when Olive texted the group and said Nate loves everything he’s hearing from their concerts. She’dbeen sending him the recordings after every show so he could hear the music for himself.
The possibility of releasing a double live album as their first release had the band reeling. I never thought I’d call myself a metal head or a groupie, but that was exactly what I was turning into.
Chanice laughed. “Wow, you’re more fired up than I think I’ve ever seen.”
The doorbell rang as I was putting napkins and bamboo plates on the counter next to the drink station Chanice had set up.
A moment later, River came into the kitchen with Pop following. That was something I’d neglected to do—tell my father I was in love with River.
“Hey, Pop! Good to see you. We were coming over tomorrow to hang out. I’m sorry I haven’t called, but we just got home yesterday morning.” I sounded nervous, and when the knots started tying my intestines, I knew I was about to have myownpanic attack.
Pop hugged me and pushed back, smiling at me. “Who’s thiswe? You got a mouse in your pocket?”
“Oh, River, do you mind helping me wipe the tables outside? It’s going to be a beautiful night, so I thought people could eat on the patio.” Chanice grabbed a roll of paper towels and a bottle of spray disinfectant, handing both to River as she retrieved a stack of tablecloths before the two of them rushed outside.
“Uh, yeah, about that, Pop. I’m sorry I didn’t call while I was gone. It’s unbelievable how busy things get. You’re setting it all up, the band performs, and then you’re tearing it all down and moving on to the next town. Not as glamorous as it looks in movies.” Yes, my nerves were showing, and based on the babbling, my pop recognized something was up immediately.
“Son, what’s wrong? Is it too much for you? Tell Nate you quit.” Sure, my father would see things as cut and dry.
“The tour’s fine. I’m enjoying the hell out of it. I’ve made some decisions about my life that I haven’t shared with you, and I’m a little nervous to tell you because I’m not sure what you’ll think,” I said.
My father glanced out the large glass doors to the patio where Chanice and River were cleaning tables and covering them with plaid cloths. “Are you and Chanice…? Are you two seeing each other?”
Wow! That was out of left field. “Uh, I’ve been gone in case you forgot. How would Chanice and I be seeing each other?”
“I just know that the two of you get along very well, and I thought maybe—”
“Pop, I’m in love with River.” I pointed to the sexy guitar player who was telling Chanice something that had her laughing hysterically.
“River? That guy with the band?” He pointed toward the patio. “You’re in love with that young man?” He stared out the doors, not taking his eyes from River’s animated antics.
“Yeah, Pop. I’m in love with him. We’ve been spending a lot of time together, and we fell in love. I’m still the same guy who comes over and throws out the old food that all your harem ladies bring over. I’m still the guy who likes to come over and watch baseball when I’m not on a job. I haven’t changed,” I said, hoping he would understand.
He continued to stare at River, who was now laughing with Chanice as he wiped down the chairs around the patio tables. River glanced at me, concern evident, so I winked at him and turned to my father. “Thoughts?”
“He seems young, Kit. Do you guys have enough in common to sustain a relationship?” It was a thoughtful question, which was what I’d expected from my father.
“I believe so. We’ve been getting to know each other better, and when we have downtime, we go out or stay in and watch movies.” I didn’t need to go into any more detail than that.
I caught him studying me as I continued watching Chanice and Riv. I started to go outside to leave my father to his thinking, but Pop grabbed me in a bear hug. “I’m happy for you. I know you don’t just go willy-nilly into anything, so if you’ve fallen in love with that young guy, I’m happy for you. I love you, regardless of who you love, son. Never forget that.”
We clapped each other on the back a few times, and I dried the few teardrops that had slid down my cheeks. I exhaled deeply, and all the stress disappeared.
The doorbell rang again, and then the front door opened. I could hear JD, Goldie, Arlo, and Hardy coming through the living room at the same time as the garage door opened and Olive came in with Nate on her heels.
“Leif, my friend, it’s good to see you. I was afraid you were going to beg off tonight,” Nate said as he put his briefcase on one of the stools by the kitchen island.
“I wanted to see my son, so of course I came. How’ve you been, Nathan?” The two of them chatted while I showed everyone else out to the patio.
“Arlo, when are you going to court?” It turned out Antel Reardon was licensed to practice in California, which was good news for Arlo’s case.
