“I think I’ll wait a while to suggest renting equipment,” Ira declared. “What brings you by?”
“I’m making a supply run. I’m out of dog and cat food. Plus, I need chicken feed and a couple rolls of barbed wire. Thought Dad might need a few things.”
“He’s got a list on the clipboard in the kitchen.”
“Well then, let’s head up to the house and scrounge a coffee and snack. After a quick visit with Mom, we can hit town.”
The implied acceptance of Ira as at least a ranch hand, maybe a brother, warmed Ira right through. Perhaps bickering with Robert was a good thing after all. Tension he didn’t realize he was holding slipped from his spine and he breathed a relaxed breath. “Let’s do that,” he agreed. “I could use a cup of coffee.”
Sue greeted them warmly when they entered the kitchen. “Hi, boys. I just started a fresh pot of coffee. Good to see you both.” She embraced Ken, then Ira. “Sit down, sit down. I’ll grab some cookies.”
They sat as she bustled around the kitchen pouring coffee and setting out snacks. “What’s up with your father?” she asked. “I saw him storm past into his work shed.”
Robert had only given Ira a brief glimpse into his small, private shed. Robert claimed the small space was his refuge from his wife and kids. He holed away inside, working on leather projects as a mean to relax. He’d already built a number of intricate purses and belts. He made custom leather book covers and was working on a saddle for Sue for Christmas. While Ira had a tour of the shop and projects, it was clear Robert’s man cave was by invitation only.
Ken laughed. “Ira had the nerve to suggest we stop growing our own hay.”
Sue laughed. “Oh no. Not another one. He’ll feel like he’s being attacked from all sides. I made the mistake of mentioning it this morning and he came unglued. Poor man.”
“Poor man?” Ira asked.
“Yes, dear.” She patted Ira’s hand as she joined them at the kitchen table. “Sometimes, when you are stubborn and have taken a stand, it’s difficult to back down, even when you know you may be wrong. When you get into a relationship with a woman, remember that.” She threw a significant glance at Ken who was spending all his free time courting his ex-wife in an attempt to woo her back.
Ira stifled a laugh. He knew what it was like to have a mother fret over you every second. Damn, he missed his mom. “I’ll keep it in mind, Sue. Thanks for the advice.” He really was grateful his new stepmother treated him like one of her own. The sense of belonging helped ease the loss of his own mother.
“How is it going with you and Honey?” she asked.
“Good. I guess.”
“What’s that mean?” Ken asked.
“Nothing.” Ira banked a sigh. “She’s nice.”
“I hear a but,” Sue said. “Honey is a lovely girl. So positive. So bright.”
So bright? Yeah, Honey was bright and sunshiny. “I just don’t understand why she’s happy as a waitress. Shouldn’t she want more?” He regretted the words as soon as he said them. He wasn’t usually so judgmental.
“Shouldn’t she be happy and enjoy what she does?” Sue countered, sipping her coffee. “I could easily have gone back to work after the girls were born. I did briefly. Then I married Robert. I’m happy as a wife and mother. It’s enough for me. Maybe I’m not living up to my intellectual and financial potential, but Iamhappy. Is that wrong?”
Ira didn’t have a chance to process the question before Ken spoke.
“One thing I’ve learned for sure,” Ken put in, “is women need to be happy. At home, at work. I’m sure Lindy wouldn’t have left me if I let her put the kids in daycare and go back to work. Stupidest damn mistake I ever made. I put my foot down and refused to bend.”
“Happiness is important, I get that.” Ira agreed. “But she could be so much more.” He didn’t know how to express his disappointment in Honey’s career choice. A waitress and some kind of social media poster, or whatever else she did. It just seemed she could do better.
“Ask yourself this,” Sue suggested, “How is it any of your concern? If Honey is happy, and has enough money to meet her needs, does your impression of her career actually matter?”
On one hand, what she said made sense, but on the other, why didn’t Honey live up to her potential and be more?
Robert strode through the back door, his arrival saving Ira from having to face Sue’s question and answer her.
She did get in one parting shot. “Think about it, Ira. What’s more important, your opinion, or Honey’s happiness?”