Chapter 6
Merrin parked the car in front of the store. Dylan had half-expected her to keep going and not stop, to go home and pretend the morning’s events hadn’t happened. He knew that had she done so, he would have climbed into his car without a word and come down the mountain. He was thankful that it had not come to that as he climbed out of the car.
Unlike his previous visit, the parking lot was empty, and ghosts of his past did not haunt him. As he entered, he caught Gabriel watching him. The boy’s eyes darted to the side when Dylan’s eyes caught his, and his face flushed.
“Hey Gabe. Can I get a carton of Marlboros?”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow. “Your mother said you quit. Something up? I was going to ask yesterday, but there was a line.”
Dylan sighed. “Long story. And it keeps getting longer.”
Gabriel smiled. “Well, I’d love to hear it. I’m off at six. If you want, we could get a bite and catch up at Peggy’s.”
Dylan smiled. “That place is still open? Is the pizza still as good as it used to be?”
Gabriel chuckles. “Yeah, I’ve not been in a while though, but it is the only place to sit down and grab a bite without a thirty-minute drive.”
Dylan stood there for a moment. “Text me when you’re leaving here, and if I’m able, I’ll meet you there.” Dylan shoved his card into the terminal and recited his phone number for Gabriel, who fired off a text to Dylan’s phone. Dylan took the phone out to save the number and saw a text from Derek. He ignored it and forced a smile back on his face. “By the way, you got a car? I might be walking from Homer’s place, and Mom’s driving. I don’t think she’ll wait around.”
Gabriel raised an eyebrow, a thousand questions written on his face. He opened his mouth as if the questions would spill out when the bell on the door jingled.
Dylan smiled and turned toward the door. “I’ll tell you about it tonight.”
He climbed into his mother’s car.
“I wish you hadn’t started back.”
He shrugged. “Stress I guess.”
She started the car without another word, but Dylan could feel her dissatisfaction with his answer. He opened his mouth to speak, but decided not to add to her frustration.
She drove in silence, the revving of the engine and the ticking of the turn signal the only thing between them, other than the tension he felt steaming off her. When she pulled into a parking space near the town square, she let out a deep sigh.
“You know I just worry, right?”
He flashed a grin. “I know, mom. But I know I have to do this too. Even if everything mamaw said was bullshit and part of her dementia, I want to know everything I can about dad.” He sighed. “I know you were doing what you thought was best. I’m not mad about you keeping me from his side of the family, but you know the only things I know about him came from you. Maybe we’ll find childhood photos, things neither of us knew. This is my chance to get to know him. Who he really was.” He stopped short of telling her the full truth—that he hoped to find out who he was as much as who his father was. His grandmother had reawakened a creeping voice in the back of his head. A whispering voice telling him he wasn’t doing what he was supposed to do.
Her head dropped, and she spoke in a near whisper. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”
Dylan shook his head and climbed out of the car. “You can come with me every step of the way, or you can turn around now. It’s your choice. Either way, I’m going to do this.” He paused. “I have to do this.”
Her gaze met his. After what felt like an eternity, she sighed and opened her door. “Alright. Let’s get this over with.” She slammed her door. “Old fucker better not make us wait too damn long.”
Dylan looked up the street. “Which one is his office?”
Merrin pointed to the corner nearest their parking space. “The white one with the green awning.”
Dylan headed that way, not looking to see whether his mother was following.