Page 55 of Home in the Country
“That sounds like you had fun at school, Big Rigg. What do you want to do today?” I ask as I check and recheck that the booster seat is in position and then help him into the truck and buckle him in.
“We can watch airplanes?”
“Airplanes?”
He nods.
“I miss Daddy.”
I squeeze his hand because I have no idea what this transition has been like for him, but I sure as hell won’t make it worse.
“Let’s get a milkshake and go watch some airplanes, Big Rigg.”
“Chocolate?”
Damn, this kid is cute. “Whatever you want.”
The hand not holding mine does a fist pump, and I can’t help but laugh. After releasing his hand, I climb into the driver’s seat and send a text to Fallon about our plans.
OTTO: (Picture message of Briggs smiling in booster seat)
OTTO: Gonna grab milkshakes and watch the airplanes take off – that okay?
FALLON: Is he okay? Is he upset?
OTTO: He’s excited for milkshakes
FALLON: (Facepalm emoji)
FALLON: Thank you for doing this
OTTO: It’s what friends do
FALLON: Sigh…
I have no desire to touch that last message, so I buckle my seatbelt and throw my phone into the cup holder. After grabbing a couple of milkshakes from Smokin’ Joes, I put the windows down and turn up the radio to a popular country station.
I exaggerate the words to “Friends in Low Places” by Garth Brooks, and Briggs giggles as he sings random lines and shimmies in his seat.
It’s comfortable and easy and I don’t take for granted this time together. I’m drawn to this kid in a way I don’t understand. Maybe it’s because he’s Fallon’s, but I just want toknowhim.
Part of me thinks I should be jealous that he wants to go to an airport and watch planes take off because he misses his father. The other part of me is so damn thankful that he trusts me enough to let me share this with him.
Choosing to embrace the latter, I follow the signs and pull into a gravel lot and park facing away from the fence and hop out. I get Briggs out of his seat and leave him in charge of our shakes.
Pulling out two camping chairs, I set them up in the bed of the truck facing the tarmac and help him get settled before getting comfortable myself. Blackstone Falls isn’t particularly busy, but there’s still enough going on that Briggs’s attention bounces around.
He talks almost as much as I do, and it makes me smile. I feel…settled.
“Did you know Dean has a brotheranda sister? I wish I had one. Do you have one?”
“I have three brothers and a sister.”
“Wow! You gots lots.”
“I do. And ya know what else is cool?”
“What?” His eyes sparkle with wonder and anticipation, and it’s so hard not to be completely swept up in this little boy.
