It takes forever to drag the tree trunk home, but Spirit’s happy expression is worth it all. On the back deck, I drop into a lounge chair, all sweaty and panting, while Dad disappears inside, grabbing some beers. I pull out my phone, and there’s a text from Caleb. A smile spreads across my face, my heart beating faster.
Caleb:How did it go, baby?
I tap out a quick reply, longing tugging at me. Later, when I’m back in Caleb’s arms, I’ll tell him everything, but for now I just settle on, ‘Everything’s gonna be fine.’
His reply comes within seconds, as if he were just staring at his phone.
Caleb:Really? Fuck, baby, I’m so happy
I’m happy too
I am.Sohappy. In more ways than I can count. Dad and I are okay. He and Caleb will be, I just know it, because even if there are things where they don’t see eye to eye right now, there’s one thing that they both have in common: they love me.
My phone buzzes again, and my heart skips a beat as Caleb’s words wrap around me.
Caleb:I miss you. Have fun with your dad
I will. I miss you too
Caleb:Love you
“Now, what’s got you smiling so goofily?” Dad hums, handing me a beer, then noticing the phone in my hand, he shakes his head, “Nope. Never mind. Don’t wanna know.”
“Jesus, Dad. It’s just Caleb. He says hi.”
“Right, right. Well, uhm… say hi to him too. From me.”
“Okay.”
Shit, it’s going to be awkward for a while, but I have faith we’ll get there in the end. I quickly shoot Caleb the message, then put away my phone, and hold out my bottle toward Dad. He clinks his bottle against mine. “You staying for dinner? Mom will be home soon.”
“Yeah, I’d love to.” I take a long sip from the bottle, savoring the bitter-sweet coolness.
“You don’t have somewhere you’ve gotta be?” Dad eyes me, then lifts the bottle to his lips.
“Nope, I’ll stay. I can’t leave you to explain to Mom on your own why she has a whole tree trunk in her backyard.”
Dad chuckles. “Appreciateit, kid.”
I rest my head back against the chair and close my eyes, feeling the late afternoon sun on my face. My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I just place my hand on top of it, knowing Caleb isn’t going anywhere. He’ll be right there, waiting for me when I come back home, and then I’ll tell him everything, and he’ll hear the joy in my voice and the hope in my heart.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Caleb
One month later
“I’ll come by sometime next week and help you with the cabinets.” Sal scratches the back of his neck, lingering on the front porch. It’s one of the few times today that we’ve had actual eye contact. He and Vivian met us early this morning at Kayden’s apartment. Now it’s late afternoon, and we’re almost done moving all of Kayden’s stuff into my house.Ourhouse.
“That’d be great. They should be here Wednesday, Thursday at the latest.” I’ve ordered new kitchen cabinets because I figured Kayden is going to be spending more time in our kitchen than I will, and I want it to be nice and new for him. I’ve ordered new appliances too because the old ones came with the house when I bought it. He doesn’t know that, though. I can’t wait to see the look on his face when he walks into a brand-new kitchen. I want Kayden to feel like he isn’t just moving into my house, into my life, but that this is his home too and that we’re creating a life together. I want to upgrade the bathroom next. Put in a tub, maybe, and some skylights, so we can watch the stars on a cloudless night, wrapped around each other in the tub. My chest squeezes at the thought of all the new memories we’ll be creating here, in our mutual home.
“Cool, cool,” Sal says, his gaze dropping to the wooden planks. “What is it now? Fifteen years? It’s still holding up real good.” He swipes his boot back and forth against the mahogany hardwood.
“It really is. Good choice.”
Sal looks up at me with surprise, then smiles carefully. “Oak would’ve been just as good.”
“Maybe, but I like this better. I’m glad you persuaded me to get it instead of the oak.”