Page 88 of What Remains True
Adam took out his phone and punched in a number, rocking from boot to boot as he waited for an answer. “Hey, Mom, it’s me, Adam. I owe you an apology. I never really watched any rodeo events with someone I loved in the ring. You’re right. It’s scary as all get out.” He shook his head. “Yes ma’am. Well it’s a long time overdue. I love you. Yeah, I gotta run. We’ll catch up soon.”
Merry Anna gave him a nod. That probably hadn’t been an easy call to make.
“Seeingthatas a parent is a whole different experience. And she was just on a little sheep.”
“Exactly,” Merry Anna said. “Maybe you should stick to letting her count them instead.”
22
One day at a timewas all Adam could take at the moment. It was the only way he knew to keep it all together, because there was a lot he didn’t know about being a parent, and Carly wasn’t well enough to offer any help.
The people of Antler Creek pulled together when necessary, and he was likely going to need them, if only for advice, for the unforeseeable future. He was glad he’d announced to the lead gossipers in town that he was now a father.
He and Zan packed peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwiches to take to work the next morning.
It was a superbusy day at the feedstore, but Zan entertained herself all day long. He’d had to round her up to eat lunch. By the end of the day, when he helped her gather all her things, she turned to him and said, “I’m so hungry my stomach could eat a whole pot of spaghetti.”
“Oh, Zan. I’m sorry. Why didn’t you tell me you were hungry? I’d have found you a snack.”
“I guess I forgot.”
“Come on. We’ll run over to the café and get you some spaghetti. I love Maizey’s spaghetti, and it will already be cooked. Way faster than me making it at home.”
He hustled their departure, feeling terrible for notthinking to ask at some point if she needed a snack. Those were probably the things that real parents instinctively knew.
They walked into the café and sat in the same place as they had for their celebration.
Maizey walked over, wiping her hands on the towel that always hung from the waist of her apron. “You two having chocolate milk again?” She winked at Adam.
“No, that’s just for special occasions. We’ll have water today and two orders of spaghetti.”
Maizey leaned her elbows on the counter, getting down to Zan’s level and giving her a big smile. “How are you doing today?”
“I’ve been working all day. We are starving.” She swept a hand across her forehead in such a dramatic way that Adam and Maizey both almost laughed.
“Well, I promise it won’t take long for me to get that spaghetti out here to you. How old are you, young lady?”
“Five.”
“Five? Wow! I guess you’ll be starting school this fall.”
“Yes ma’am. Daddy already bought me a lunch box with horses on it. I’m already practicing.”
“Nice!” Maizey turned and put the order in. She made good on her promise, soon bringing the spaghetti out and scooching the plates in front of them. “One for Daddy, and one for daughter.”
Hearing the words out loud was strange, but he felt pride. What would it have been like had he known about her all along? Would he have stepped up? He was a different guy back then. It was hard to say, but he was getting the chance now to make it right.
“Your folks know yet?” Maizey asked Adam.
“Magic question.” He shook his head. Everyone knew hisparents weren’t speaking to him, practically disowned him, because of the bull riding. “No, not yet. Don’t know that it’ll change anything, but they deserve to know they have a beautiful granddaughter.”
Zan kicked her feet. “Me?”
“Yes ma’am. You.”
“May I be excused to wash my hands? I have sauce everywhere.” She spread her fingers.
“Yeah. Here.” He mopped most of the spaghetti from her hands. “The bathroom is right over there.”
