Chapter Five
Joshua knocked gently on the door to Micah’s studio.
“Come in.”
He pushed open the door and stepped into the room.
Canvases leaned against the walls in piles of four or five.
Micah’s easel was next to the window, and on a low table beside it sat a large wooden box filled with tubes of paint.
Several glass jars were also there, paint brushes of all sizes and shapes sticking up out of them.
Micah sat in front of the easel, gazing intently at the canvas. “Hey, Dad,” he said absently. “Everything all right?”
“Yeah, I was just wondering if you wanted anything, seeing as you missed lunch.” Joshua knew better than to drag Micah to the table if he was on a roll.
“Lunch?” Micah’s brow furrowed. “When was that?”
“Oh, about an hour and a half ago.” Joshua waited, but when Micah lapsed back into silence, he cleared his throat. “How about I bring you a ham and cheese sandwich, and a glass of milk?”
“Sure, that sounds great,” Micah replied in that same absent tone.
Shaking his head, Joshua withdrew from the room. He went into the kitchen and got out the fixings for Micah’s late lunch. Greg came into the room as he was covering the bread with a thin layer of mayo.
“Let me guess. That’s for Micah.” Greg stood his crutches against the kitchen cabinet.
Joshua nodded. “What about you? Did you get lunch while you were out?”
“I grabbed a sandwich and a soda.” Greg sat down at the table and stared at the bowl of fruit at its center.
Joshua put down his knife. “Greg? You okay, buddy? How did it go?”
“It didn’t, is the short answer.” Greg’s gaze met his. “The first two guys we contacted were adamant. They want nothing to do with this.” He gave a shrug. “I can’t force them.”
“How many guys has Detective Riley turned up?”
“Five, although he thinks he’s found another.
We’ll see if anything comes of it.” He gave Joshua a half smile.
“I know what he’s hoping for. If we can get past the phone conversation and meet up with any of these guys, he wants them to see I still have injuries.
” He gestured to the crutches. “Except that could go two ways. They’d either see me as someone who understands everything they’ve been through, or I’d be a painful reminder of an episode they desperately want to forget. ”
“Surely the first kind of guy is what you’re after. He might be more likely to step forward, right? Especially if he’s the kind of guy who doesn’t want this to happen to anyone else.” Joshua gave Greg a warm glance. “Like you.”
Greg flushed. “You know what? The second type of witness might step forward too, but for very different reasons. He might just want to bring an end to the nightmares and get his life back.”
His words struck an uneasy chord in Joshua. “Do… do you have nightmares about that night?” It wasn’t something they talked about: Joshua got the impression Greg was doing his utmost to not think about it. Not that he had that luxury, with the trial and everything.
Greg lowered his gaze. “Sometimes. I wake up in the middle of the night, and I can still hear their voices, feel their boots…” He shivered.
“That’s when I cuddle up to Micah. He’s great at keeping the nightmares at bay.
” He glanced at Joshua’s unfinished sandwich, his lips twitching.
“You’d better feed Micah before he starts chewing on his paint brushes.
Do you know how long it’s taken me to get it into his head that oil paint is not a food group? ” His eyes sparkled.
Joshua snorted. “Ha. You weren’t around when I told him he couldn’t use a certain shade of white paint anymore, because it contained lead. He still won’t let me forget that one.”
“Imagine. Doing a mean thing like that because you don’t want him to poison himself.” Greg rolled his eyes. “These artists.”
Joshua laughed quietly and resumed fixing Micah’s sandwich. The house was quiet again. Naomi had gone back to college on Sunday, and the days slipped into their usual routines. Except now Joshua was aware of a growing dissatisfaction with his life.
Is this it? Working so many hours a day, fixing dinner in the evening, watching a little TV, then bed? Shopping on the weekend? Maybe Alex had the right idea. It had only been six days since they’d met outside Walmart, but Joshua couldn’t shake their conversation from his mind.
He sliced the finished sandwich in two, poured a glass of milk, then took them to Micah who barely noticed his entrance.
Joshua chuckled to himself as he placed the plate and glass on the floor beside Micah’s chair, then quietly withdrew.
Greg was still at the table when he returned to the kitchen.
Joshua went about the task of putting away the bread and wiping away crumbs.
“Are you okay?”
Joshua gave Greg a puzzled glance. “Me? Sure. Why wouldn’t I be?”
Greg regarded him steadily for a moment.
“I kind of got the idea that there was something on your mind. You were quiet last week. Not that you’re ever noisy, but Naomi was home for the first time since New Year, and you seemed…
I don’t know… sort of, out of it.” He bit his lip.
“I guess I need to make sure I haven’t outstayed my welcome.
I mean, I know I said at Christmas that I was going to live in Jackson, in the house Dad left me, but—”
“And you can stop right there.” Joshua pulled out a chair and sat facing Greg.
“I don’t mind in the slightest that you’re living here.
I do understand why you’re reluctant to move, son.
There are too many things up in the air right now, aren’t there?
You don’t want to move while this trial is hanging over you.
And you can’t apply for jobs if you’re not settled in one place.
You need to feel free to start your life with Micah when all of this is done and dusted. ”
Greg sagged against the back of the chair. “Wow. You nailed it all. You really do get it. I was feeling guilty. I mean, I’m not earning anything, but you’re feeding me, I’m using extra resources…”
Lord, he was a sweet young man. “Look at it this way. What I’m not spending on Naomi, I’m spending on you. And you don’t exactly eat me out of house and home.”
“Then what’s wrong?” Greg gazed at him earnestly. “Because there is something bothering you, isn’t there?”
Joshua plucked a couple of grapes from the bowl and ate them, enjoying their sweetness.
When Greg didn’t press him, but instead remained silent, his gaze locked on him, Joshua sighed.
“It’s nothing, really. I was just thinking ahead, that’s all, to when you and Micah and Naomi move out.
Because that’ll happen sooner or later.”
Greg’s eyes widened. “I didn’t think of that. You’ll have this whole house to yourself.”
Yeah, with all its memories. The house he’d remodeled for Rachel.
“Do you think you’d ever…downsize? You know, find someplace smaller?”
Joshua shook his head. “I’d always want a house big enough for all of you to come stay. I know you and Micah will have your own life in Jackson. Naomi too, when she goes to medical school, but I’m hoping you’ll come for the holidays occasionally.”
“I like the sound of that.” Greg smiled. “Who knows? By then you could have this whole new life.”
Joshua chuckled. “Really?”
“Why not? You’ve brought up two great kids, you’ve built up your own successful business… No one says you have to be alone.” Joshua blinked and Greg paled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply you’d find someone else…I mean…Geez, that sounds so insensitive.”
Joshua leaned across the table and grabbed Greg’s hand.
“Hey, it’s okay. And it’s a fair comment.
I mean, I’m not that old right?” He snickered.
“It’s not such an out-of-left-field concept, right, that there might be someone else out there for me?
” Joshua smiled. “But I think I’ve had my fair share already.
I’ve loved two people in my life. A third sounds plain greedy, dont’cha think?
” He’d never even considered finding someone else.
What surprised him was that his initial reaction was not to say it was too soon after Rachel’s death.
Maybe I’m finally healing. The raw grief he’d buried himself in a year ago had… mutated, morphed into something less painful but nevertheless still present. He couldn’t shrug off the couple of decades he and Rachel had shared, but he could acknowledge that maybe it was time to move forward.
“Someone brought it home to me recently that I need more friends,” he said simply.
It was Greg’s turn to blink. “That’s actually not a bad idea. How many friends do you have?”
Joshua flushed. “None. I could give you a list of acquaintances, but people I’d call friends? Nope.” Then he held up his hand. “You know what? That’s a lie. I now have one.”
Greg beamed. “Well, that’s a start.”
Joshua laughed. “You know him too. He’s your prosecuting attorney.” He related running into Alex outside Walmart, and their shared coffee break. “We even swapped numbers. I’ve invited him to Micah’s showing.”
Greg frowned. “But that isn’t until next month. Why not meet up with him before then?”
“What am I gonna do—call him up and ask if he wants to play at my house?” Joshua snickered.
“You can still call him. Even if you just meet up for coffee again, it’s a change for the better, right?” Greg’s smile reached his eyes. “I like him. I think he could be good for you. Why don’t you call him?”
“You don’t waste time, do ya?”
Greg folded his arms. “Call him.”
Joshua mimicked his body language. “He’s working, remember? County Attorney? Big, important job?”
“Then text him. Ask him to call you when he gets a moment.” Greg set his jaw. “I’m going to bug you until you do it, so you may as well get it over with.”
Joshua rolled his eyes. “Kids.” He got out his phone and composed a brief message.
Hi. Could you give me a call when you get a minute? Nothing urgent. Just… friends stuff.
He regarded the text with a smile. “There. Happy now?”
“I will be when you’ve sent it,” Greg said smugly.
Joshua sighed and hit Send. “Okay. Done. Just don’t go expecting him to call me right away. He’s a busy man, and—”
His phone rang. It was Alex.
Surprised, Joshua answered it. “Hi. Didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.” He stood up and walked over to the window.
“You caught me on a coffee break. What can I do for you?”
Now Joshua was stumped. “I was just wondering… I know you’re coming to the showing next month, but… would you like to get together and do something before then?”
“What’s Alex doing this weekend?” Greg asked loudly, totally devoid of any pretense of subtlety.
Alex laughed. “Actually, I don’t have anything planned this weekend, other than catching up on my laundry and chores.
I had a guest last weekend, so I got a little behind.
I had thought about maybe seeing a movie, once I’ve checked what’s showing.
” He paused. “When’s the last time you went to the movies, Joshua? ”
“Oh Lord, now you’re asking.” He didn’t have a clue.
“There ya go. Take a look at what’s showing at the Foothills this weekend, then let me know. I’m easy, by the way. I watch all kinds of movies.”
“What—even Disney?” Joshua said with a chuckle.
There was silence, then Alex cleared his throat. “I plead the Fifth.”
That did it. Joshua burst into laughter, aware that Greg was staring at him with wide eyes. He regained control of himself. “Thanks. I needed that.”
“Glad to have provided a service,” Alex commented dryly. “So, are we on for a movie?”
“Sure. Let me see what’s showing. I’ll text you if anything catches my eye.” Joshua snickered. “I hate to disappoint you, but it definitely won’t be Disney.”
“Aww.” Joshua could almost see Alex pouting.
“D’you have any idea how many Disney movies I’ve sat through, bringing up two kids? It sorta gives you an immunity to them.”
“Yeah, that makes sense. Okay, let me know. Only one thing. If I go see a movie, there’s usually pizza involved. I don’t have many vices, but pizza is one of them.”
“You’re on. I’ll text you.” He said goodbye and finished the call. When he looked up, Greg was gazing at him expectantly.
“Well?”
“Looks like I’m eating pizza and going to the movies this weekend.”
Greg beamed. “Awesome.”
“What’s awesome?” Micah appeared in the doorway, holding an empty plate and glass.
Greg met Joshua’s gaze, and he smiled. “I’ll tell you later. Now, how about you show me what you’ve been doing this afternoon. Did you work out where you’d gone wrong?”
Micah nodded. “It looks so much better now. Come on, I’ll show you.” He paused, squinting at Joshua. “Have I missed something? You seem… I don’t know… happy.”
Greg got up from the table, grabbed his crutches and walked carefully over to Micah.
“Later. You still have a few hours of daylight left, and you know how you hate painting in artificial light. So how about you and I head to your studio so you can do some more work?” He lifted a crutch and nudged Micah’s ass with it.
“Come on. Move it, Picasso.” He glanced over his shoulder and flashed Joshua a smile, while Micah mumbled something about bossy boyfriends, before putting his hand to Greg’s back and steering him along the hallway to the studio.
Joshua peered at the coffee pot, and poured the last of it into a mug. He sat at the table, his mind still reeling. The situation felt unreal.
I’m going to the movies. And out for pizza. With Greg’s attorney.
Yup. This was weird, whichever way he looked at it. But he couldn’t deny he was looking forward to it, in a juvenile kind of way.