Page 43 of Rooster

Torch sounded concerned as he said, “I didn’t realize that you guys were still on the outs.”

“It hasn’t been good.” Savage motioned his head towards the house. “Especially for Londyn. She’s all torn up about it, and it doesn’t help matters that Dalton keeps asking about seeing his grandfather. She keeps putting him off, but that’s only going to last for so long.”

“That’s gotta be tough, especially for the kid,” I interjected. “But time has a way of sorting things out.”

“I hope you’re right.” Savage started up the front step as he said, “Come on. I need help moving some stuff for Londyn.”

“I thought you two were done with all that.”

“I did, too.” Savage glanced over his shoulder. “But I’ve learned that when the wife wants to move the furniture, you move the furniture.”

“Understood.” Torch and I followed Savage into the kitchen, and I made a beeline for the coffee pot. “If we’re moving stuff, I’m gonna need coffee and lots of it.”

“You got it.” Londyn walked over and grabbed me a cup from the cabinet. “I appreciate you guys coming over to help with this.”

“No problem.”

After pouring me some coffee, Londyn grabbed a piece of paper from the counter and took it over to Savage. “Here’s what I was thinking.”

“Oh.” Savage’s eyes grew wide. “So, we’re moving everything around.”

“Trust me. It’ll look great and give us so much more light.”

“If you say so.” He motioned his head toward the living room. “Come on, boys. Let’s get this shit done.”

Once we were in the living room, Savage showed us where Londyn wanted everything, and we started moving stuff around. It didn’t take long for chaos to ensue. Savage looked around and scratched his head as he said, "She said this would give us better light, but I’m not seeing it.”

“You gotta trust the process, brother.”

We continued moving stuff around, narrowly avoiding one collision after the next, but we managed to get everything where Londyn wanted it. I looked around the room as I told Savage, "I hate to break it to you, brother, but it’s not any lighter now than it was before.”

“No, it’s not.” Savage looked around and shrugged. “But if this is what she wants, then this is what she’ll get."

Before either of us could respond, Dalton came into the room, and clearly confused by the scene before him, put his hands on his hips and huffed, “What are you doing?”

“Just moving a few things around,” Savage answered with a smile. “It was your mom's idea.”

“Oh.” Dalton gave his father an unimpressed shrug. “I like it.”

“You do?”

“Um-hmm.”

“Good deal.” Savage reached down and lifted Dalton into his arms. “I’m glad you approve.”

“You gotta go?”

“Afraid so.” Savage’s smile faltered. “We’ve got to check in with Poppa Cotton and see how he’s doing.”

“Can I go with you?”

“Wish you could, but we’ve got some business to tend to. But you’ll be seeing him this weekend while your mom and I run some errands in the city.”

“Come on, Dalton,” Londyn called from the kitchen. “Your cereal is ready.”

“You better get moving.”

Savage lowered Dalton to the floor and watched as he hurried into the kitchen. Once he was out of earshot, I leaned over to Savage and asked, “Why we heading over to Cotton’s?”

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