Page 63 of Home in the Country
“Case, but he’s usually with me.”
“And who do you call to go on a drive or look at somethin’—when you need a levelheaded opinion?”
“Waylon.”
“And who do you call if there’s somethin’ that needs fixin’?”
“Hank.”
“And who do you call when you’re at your most vulnerable but you aren’t ready to share it yet?”
“Sorren.”
We stare at each other before she grins.
“Do I need to go through the girls?”
I shake my head and sigh.
“You count on different people because your daddy and I taught you to trust your family to pick you up when you need it. Askin’ for help doesn’t make you weak, baby, but it’s not always easy, is it?”
“No, Mama, it’s not.”
“I’m guessin’ that Fallon is trying to findherbalance here in Clementine Creek. She’s makin’ a life for her and that little boy, and while I won’t claim to knoweverything, I’m sure that she feels like she has somethin’ to prove comin’ back home.”
“You’re a smart cookie, Mama.” Reaching across the table, she pats my hand before holding it with her own.
“I had help and I’m still learnin’. Be gentle with her, Otto. You do everything big, and that’s one of the things I love about you, but she’s not gonna want you to rush in and fix all her problems.”
“I can be gentle.”
She squeezes my hand before pullin’ away. “I know you can.”
“Thanks, Mama.” We talk a while longer before I stand and help clean up.
“You’re a smart man, Otto. Don’t doubt your worth.”
The comment gives me pause because it’s not the first time I’ve heard it. Apparently, everyone is tryin’ to tell me something, and I just need to man up about it.
Pullin’ her in tight, I hold my mama like she’s done for me so many times before, then I kiss her cheek and head back out the door.
Outside, I find my father tinkering under the hood of his truck. He waves me over with his trademark barely there smile.
“How’s it goin’, son?”
“It’s”—I rub my palm over the back of my neck—“goin’.”
He grunts and then straightens to look at me. Like always, his silence compels me to speak.
“Do you think I’ll make a good dad?” I blurt out and feel my face heat. Hearin’ I’m a good man from mama is one thing, but I’ve always looked up to my father with a sort of reverence. He’s the kind of man I’ve always tried to be, and I just want to make him proud.
“It’s not even a question.” His answer has a force behind it that makes my eyes prick with tears, and dammit, I’ve never been a crier. Looking up at the sky, I take in the blue that’s always a little darker than my eyes as I try to wrangle in my emotions.
“I don’t want toreplacehis dad, but I want to be there. And I’m gettin’ ahead of myself, but I can’t imagine not havin’ him and days like yesterday pickin’ him up from school and makin’ dinner with him, waitin’ for Fallon to get home. And I could teach him stuff, ya know? Like workin’ on cars and what I do with Case at Twinscapes and—”
My words stop when I see my father’s expression soften, and a real smile takes over his face.
“Sounds to me like you’ll be just fine.” He wipes his hands on a rag from his back pocket. “There’s no rulebook, Otto, you learn right along with ’em.”
