Chapter 14 Cody
Cody
Aging is an extraordinary process
where you become the person
you always should have been.
~ David Bowie
McKenna, Luke and I stand side-by-side, watching Carli’s truck pull down the driveway and turn onto the main road.
It took three of us to help her lift the items her dad has no use for up into the back of her truck.
I’ll have to figure out how to get those back into storage without drawing attention.
“That went too quickly,” McKenna says with a sigh.
“Agreed,” I say, absentmindedly.
She turns and gives me an odd look.
“You don’t get enough time with your bestie,” I amend.
“I don’t! And now she’s working an honest to goodness nine-to-five job.”
I chuckle. Neither of our families understand why McKenna or I—or anyone—would choose a career outside ranching.
“What’s got you so smiley this morning?” Luke asks.
“A man can’t smile?”
He shrugs. “It’s the biscuits. I’m not kidding. I’d marry her for her biscuits alone.”
“Luke!” McKenna shouts his name and smacks his arm. “You have to stop joking about marrying my best friend. The idea of my brother and her … Just no.”
“I’m joking,” he assures McKenna. Then, because it’s so fun to rile her up, he adds, “Mostly,” and jumps backward just in time to miss her next swing.
“I’m going to head out,” I tell my siblings.
“Where?” they both say in unison.
"I've got to run an errand."
"Feed store?" Luke asks.
"No.” I shake my head. “I've got to go see Loretta about a hand of Canasta."
They both smile.
I walk toward my truck, pulling out my keys.
The drive to the senior center gives me the time alone I need after that kiss. I’ve started something now, and I’m not exactly sorry. My foot presses the accelerator, steady, forward, taking me along the roads leading into town.
The way Carli melted into me—even her flirty answers when I asked if she’s okay—everything about her makes me only want more.
This is new territory for us, but it feels like a tilled field, ripe and ready for the seed to fall in fertile places.
We’ve been dancing around this for years—at least I have.
I’m not backing off for anyone, not unless she gives me a red light.
When I walk in the front door of Sycamore Assisted Living, I’m greeted by the few seniors sitting in the foyer.
“Cody!” Harold says. “What brings you around today? You back to check our toasters?”
I chuckle. “Not this time, Harold. I’m off duty. Just here to lose at cards.”
“Ahhh. Well, don’t go easy on them. Just ’cause we’re old doesn’t mean we want to be coddled.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” I tell him.
The long, wide tile hallway lined with office doors opens at the back to a courtyard and a staircase going up on the right. Just before the staircase is the door to the Rec Room. I walk in and glance around at the tables, looking for my opponent.
“Cody!” Loretta’s scratchy voice fills with surprise.
“I said I’d be back.”
“I knew you would be. You always make time for what matters most.”
“And that would be you?” I tease as I step closer, drawing her into a hug. She wraps her thin arms around me and gives me a squeeze.
“It’s like hugging a marble statue,” she says to Wilma.
“I’m not about to take your word for it,” Wilma says. “Get over here and give me a proper hug of my own, Cody.”
I walk around the table and hug Wilma. Pretty soon I’m giving out hugs like a department store Santa.
“Who’s playing cards?” Loretta asks.
A chorus of people volunteer.
“We can only go to six at a time,” she says. Then she looks at me. “How long do you have?”
“Probably until lunch. I’ve got to see if Dad needs anything on the ranch.”
And just like that, this morning in the barn is back. Carli. In my arms. A soft flare washes my vision. My body thrums low just beneath the surface.
I leave it to the residents to figure out who’s going to play and I take my seat at the table. Loretta deals each of us eleven cards and the game starts—along with the trash-talking.
Gus leans back in his chair, hands folded behind his head, eyes trained on me. He loudly declares, “Don’t get too comfortable, Sparky.”
He reaches over and taps my card pile with one finger. “I hope you got what you needed.”
“Back at you, old man,” I tease.
“Don’t pull that old man stuff with me. I’m a young man who happened to age.”
“Okay, young man,” I amend.
Our comfortable laughter fills the room.
I pause before drawing, glancing at Gus with mock consideration, and say, “You talk big for someone who naps after lunch.”
The women around the table burst into another round of laughter.
“He’s got you there,” Wilma says.
Gus smiles at me. “I’m pretty sure we both nap after lunch, hotshot.” Then he winks at me.
The play continues. A few turns later, Frank’s studying his hand. He hesitates before laying down his cards. “I know this isn’t impressive. In my defense, I had to work with Ginny’s discard.”
“Sure, sure,” Gus says. “Blame the woman like we’re still living in the fifties.”
I chuckle.
Wilma studies the cards for a beat, then she looks at Frank. “You call that a meld? That’s a cry for help.”
He shrugs.
We’re focused on the game, and I’m relaxed in a way I haven’t been in days.
Loretta looks at me from across the table. “Cody, give us some gossip.”
“I don’t have anything juicy to share,” I say.
“What good are you then?” Ginny teases.
“No girl in your life?” Gus asks.
I’m so tempted to tell them all.
“I don’t kiss and tell,” I say instead.
“Oh, so you are kissing?” Loretta asks. It’s more of a statement than a question.
“He just said he wasn’t going to tell,” Ginny reminds everyone. I could kiss her for saving me.
“Well, here’s what I know,” Gus says.
“Oh, dear,” Wilma says with a mock eye roll.
“You have to treat a woman like fine china,” Gus continues, ignoring Wilma.
“Give me a break,” Loretta says.
“Hey,” Gus defends. “I know how to treat a woman. I’m not saying you’re fragile. Just precious.”
The women at the table beam. I can almost imagine them at my age.
“Gus has got that much right,” Loretta says. “Relationships are a partnership, Cody. You’re a firefighter. You’re used to the heat of something that’s out of control. But you can’t live with a house fire. Life is meant to be spent around a fireplace where you both tend the flames.”
“I don’t know,” Gus says, wagging his brows. “I kind of miss the inferno sometimes.”
“Don’t we all,” Frank agrees.
“You’d be lucky if you could strike a match at this point,” Wilma teases.
My laughter bubbles up within theirs—warmth spreads, my shoulders drop and a soft smile takes over my face.
A few hours pass like minutes as we play round after round. The nurse comes in to announce lunch and med pass, so I take that as my cue to leave.
Loretta walks me to the front door after we wind up our game.
“Don’t rush it, Cody,” she says softly. “You’ll never experience this glow again. Not quite.”
“What on earth are you talking about Loretta?” I ask.
“I think you know. I have no idea who she is, but I’m happy for her—and you.”
I smile at her and lean down to give her a hug.
“Thanks for stopping by,” she tells me.
“Thanks for having me.”
I don’t even turn the key when I get into my truck. I pull out my cell and shoot Carli a text.
Cody: We didn’t really get to talk this morning.
Carli: No?
I smile. This girl. I’ve known her my whole life, but I’ve never been on this side of her flirtation.
Cody: No. We didn’t.
Carli: Maybe that was because you were kissing me.
Cody: No regrets. You?
I sit still, waiting for her response. The way she kissed me back told me everything, but I still want to hear it from her.
Carli: None. At all.
Cody: We probably could have talked if McKenna hadn’t come in.
Carli: Yeah. And now I’m lugging around a pen divider and a salt lick.
I laugh, a fullness spreading through me, warm and steady.
Cody: I’ll help you sneak that back into our storage somehow.
Carli: Thanks.
Cody: What are you doing after work tonight?
Carli: No plans … yet.
Cody: Want to meet me somewhere?
Carli: Short answer: yes.
Cody: Let’s not try to meet on the farm or the ranch. Too many eyes. Too many nosy siblings.
Carli: You think?
I smile. I wish she were right here in the cab with me so she could see the effect she’s having.
Cody: I know a place. Do you know the old Waddell property?
Carli: Off Chigger Ridge?
Cody: Yep. That’s the one. I’ll share my location. What time’s good?
Carli: I should check in with Jace and Dad to see if they need me. How about seven to be safe?
Cody: I’ll be there.
Carli: You’ve got me sneaking around in the dark of night.
Cody: Sorry about that.
Carli: I don’t mind. I’ll see you at seven.
I almost say I can’t wait. But I restrain myself.
Cody: See you then.