Page 7 of Until Now
“Listen, Hunter. It takes time to get comfortable talking to girls. It happens to all of us guys. But believe me, it’s worth it. You’ll see. And when you do, think of your Uncle Maxen, who gave you your first how to handle women tip.”
He looks at me with anticipation of my hard-won wisdom.
“If you ask them ‘what’s wrong,’ and they say ‘nothing,’ they are lying.”
I open my palm like I’ve just passed on the greatest secret of the ages. An expression of disappointment crosses his face.
“That’s it? That doesn’t even make sense.”
“Just remember you heard it here first. Now let’s get something to eat. I’m hungry.”
We get Cali on a leash, and I take a firm grip as we walk to the house. Already the smell of food and the sound of guests talking and laughing, kids playing, is turning Cali into a crazed party guest. Following the side path to the backyard, we meet up with July. She carries an unfurled flag on a pole.
“Hi! I’m glad you came, guys! Hello, Hunter. Nice to see you again.”
Hunter would rather be anywhere but here. If he could melt into the ground, he would.
“Hi.” He manages to eke out the one-syllable response.
“Thanks for having us,” I add.
“This must be Cali. Hello, baby.”
She pats the dog on her head and resumes walking. “I’m going to hang the flag, and then I’ll join you in the backyard. Wes and the boys are in the pool. Grab yourself a plate, and make sure you try the French Nicoise salad. Dominique made a family recipe.”
Hmmm. Think I just got my first tip from a new ally. We make our way along the side of the house and around the corner. The backyard could be a scene from a movie about the favorite American holiday. Families swim, and children play. I count three different barbecues scattered across the big yard. And dogs. There’s four running around, and another two stretched out on the grass, chewing something good. One annoyed cat rests atop a garden table, surveying the situation. Is that a parrot on that guy’s shoulder?
“Maxen!”
Our attention is pulled to the far side of the pool, where Wes greets us with a raised hand. It takes a few beats before I recognize him. He’s a decade older, and out of the only gear I’ve seen him wear. There’s no leather vest or black boots. Regardless, he’s still Wes. Dripping swim trunks and dark sunglasses don’t hide the Harley hat sitting on the table next to him. Or the tattoos. It’s the baby he’s holding that completes a new expanded image of the man. The whole picture looks … well, kind of nice. Maybe I’m getting soft.
‘Come on.” I motion Hunter to follow.
“There he is! Maxen, it’s good to see you again!” Wes says, greeting us and handing the baby to a woman who looks remarkably like her. She’s happy to have the opportunity to hold the child and starts dancing. I’d guess she’s the grandma and the man sitting on the chaise the grandfather. Handsome couple. Even the tall holiday hat the man wears doesn’t take his cool away.
Wes and I do the man hug, followed by a handshake.
“It’s been awhile,” I say. “Good to see ya, man. This is my nephew, Hunter. Hunter, this is my old friend, Wes.”
“Hey, Hunter. Is your uncle teaching you how to ride? You’re a teenager, right?”
That question gets Wes an instant fan. Two really. Hunter feels like a man, and I see a spark of the old kid. The happier version I always knew. It gives me hope this will someday pass. Maybe we all will have a chance to reset our lives.
“These are July’s parents, Asher and November.”
“Nice to meet you.”
“There’s food and a pool—your choice. Then come sit. Fill me in on what’s been happening in your life,” Wes adds.
I turn to Hunter. “Want to swim?”
A shake of his head confirms what I already know. He’s going to stick by me as long as possible.
“My boys, James and Dean, are in the pool. They’re causing some kind of trouble you might want to join in on.”
Hunter stays silent.
“Let’s get ourselves some chow,” I say.
