Page 183 of Wrench

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and I watched with glee as she stammered to cover up our perverted motorcycle rides.

¡°Umm¡­ yeah, once or twice. Hey, Isaac, I think I¡¯d better go change your bandages, huh?¡±

¡°Seems like a good time, yeah.¡±

And we walked away from them with my arm around her back, no longer hiding

anything.

Epilogue

Samantha

Five Months Later

¡°No, Dad,¡± I said with jesting exasperation as we pulled up to the Ironhead Tavern

with him in my passenger seat. ¡°You aren't getting out of this.¡±

¡°I trust your judgment. I¡¯m sure they¡¯re fine people. But we don¡¯t need to do this.¡±

Once I put my car in park, I pulled my lips to the side and turned to my dad. ¡°It¡¯s not

about whether you trust my judgment or not. I want you to meet them.¡±

¡°Ugh.¡± My dad rolled his brown eyes before looking hesitantly at the building. The big

oak doors had a red balloon tied to the door handle, blowing in the breeze. ¡°You¡¯re lucky

it¡¯s your birthday.¡± His eyes shifted to the window where a miniature Christmas tree sat

in the window. ¡°And the holidays.¡±

¡°So glad you¡¯re a festive guy,¡± I said flatly, though smiling. Leaning back into my chair,

I relaxed as if hoping it would transfer to him. All week, I could tell he was anxious about

the birthday slash Christmas party, trying to come up with excuses. On Tuesday,

conveniently he had to work the first weekend in ten years, but I saw right through that

one. Last night he almost had me going when he was too sick to eat his chili, even

throwing the remainder away. Luckily, I caught him eating a hotdog in the backyard at

midnight. ¡°There¡¯s no need to be scared.¡±

¡°I¡¯m not scared.¡±

¡°Okay,¡± I said. ¡°But in case you are, look at how bad you thought Isaac was going to be.

Now, you guys are always drinking beer and watching the game.¡±

¡°I don¡¯t think he actually watches baseball.¡±

¡°Well, isn¡¯t it nice of him to pretend?¡±

¡°I guess,¡± he grumbled behind his mustache. ¡°No, no, he¡¯s a good guy. He treats you

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