Chapter 24 - Going Home
Grace said to him through the window, “So, I forgot to ask you last night. Tell me about this dog you have ‘to get back.’”
Robby turned around and walked in the house, his linen shirt open. “I didn’t tell you already?” Grace shook her head. “I survived our breakup because of three things: Marie, music, and Dog.”
Grace’s eyes got big. “Dog? From your house? You got him?”
“Marie got him. But he was there. Like he’d been waiting.
When I came back that last day, Marie happened to be there taking a ‘recovery day,’ as she calls them.
I was barely functioning. Thank god she was there.
She took over. Came up with a plan. Made me get busy.
We packed up and caravanned to the house in Duluth the next morning.
She put a collar and leash on Dog, and he rode all the way down on the seat next to me — I mean, right next to me, leaning on me.
I wonder if he’d ever been in a vehicle before.
Marie spent that week in Duluth. She got the house stocked with groceries, more linens .
. . dog food. She made me go with her everywhere.
She said I had to know the stores and show her I could take care of Dog, that he was totally dependent on me.
She made me take him to the vet and get him checked out and vaccinated.
He’s about four and weighs about a hundred and thirty pounds.
The three of us walked round and round the neighborhood, found a dog park, and introduced Dog to other dogs.
Dogs like him — owners are cautious, but their dogs aren’t.
In fact, he has a girlfriend, Riley, a Goldendoodle.
Anyway, whenever I go away, Marie keeps him.
He loves the boys, and they love him. He wears ‘em out. Lets ‘em climb all over him and loves to chase a ball — never brings it back, but he likes leading them on wild goose chases around the yard, even in the snow. So, we’ll have to go get him, or Marie can bring him.”
“And he just let Marie put a leash on him?
“Yep. He’s no fool — he knew better than to argue with Marie. Plus, the weather was getting cold. Still wonder what his story is.”
“Speaking of weather, it’s gonna be hot today — we need to start planning to get out of here.”
“Whatever you say.”
“Is your driver’s license current? When I planned this drive, I had no idea you’d be along, but as long as you will, it’d be nice to get a break now and then, if you’re legal.”
“I’m legal. Joe makes sure. I’m happy to share driving, just be ready to deal with profiling, in case it happens — do not mouth off to cops when I’m around, because they may be looking for an excuse, and I don’t want my hands hurt. Can you do that?” He looked at Grace.
“Yes. Of course.”
“I’m not so sure you can. Just remember, a lot could be riding on your self-control — my career and other people’s jobs.”
“I can be professional.” She looked out the window. “I hate hearing that, though. It happens with African Americans down here, but I never thought about it with Native Americans.”
“Nobody thinks about Native Americans. We’re invisible .
. . till somebody wants someone to bully.
” Robby took a deep breath. “I just thought of another thing that’s riding on your ability to control your mouth — your own safety.
Any man who’d get physical with me, wouldn’t hesitate to get physical with you.
Geez. No amount of self-control would get me through that.
” He paused. “We’re definitely not taking any side roads, and we should make reservations ahead, so we’re not wandering around at night.
I’ll call Joe back to do it. Just give me the route and how many miles you want to drive every day.
The car’s in good shape, right? Tires, oil? ”
“Yes, and I have AAA. They can figure out the reservations and the route.”
“No. I want Joe to know where we are. Give me the license plate number. I know everything else.”
“Okay. I get it. I trust Joe to take care of you.”
***********
The next morning, Robby said, “It’s beautiful here, but you’re right, it’s too hot and humid. Let’s tell Joe day-after-tomorrow. That give you time?” He was standing on the porch in shorts and no shirt. “It’s almost too hot for coffee, and it’s just 7 a.m.”
“Fine by me.” Grace opened the refrigerator, enjoying the cool air. Today was the day — the air conditioning would have to come on. She was trying to decide what to eat for breakfast that was cold. Orange slices and blueberries. She took them out and started rinsing.
“Are you going to put those over granola?” Robby said from inches behind her.
Grace dropped the orange in the sink . . . luckily, it was too big to go down the disposal. “No, but you can, Sneak. I’m going with plain Greek yogurt. You know where the granola is.”
Robby leaned against the sink next to Grace.
“You know, if we go to get Dog, we could think about going up the Trail a few days, even camping if there’re no rooms left.
Get out on the water, listen to the woods at night .
. . lay on some rocks . . . catch up with everybody before I get busy?
Then go down to my house and do the Grand Marais visits. ”
“And eat pie.”
“Well that goes without saying. Do you think you can handle a family gathering . . . with my parents?”
Grace took a breath. “It’s probably better if I don’t think about it, just do it. I’m sure it’ll be fine. And, when you get busy, I’ll visit my family, so eventually you’ll need to meet them.”
*********
“Full.” Grace closed the hatchback and looked at the open house. “Robby? The car is full. We can’t fit another thing.”
He appeared in the open kitchen door. Grace could see John beside him. “Cars are like hearts, Grace, there’s always room for more in them.”
“That may be true, but don’t use it in a song — another not-your-best-line.
” She heard John’s deep laugh and saw Robby flip him off over his shoulder.
John had the house as long as he wanted it or till they came back, whichever came first. He was excited to have a place his children might like to visit.
Lisa, too. The only condition was that he keep the yard mowed.
She walked back in the house. “Happy house, John. It’s glad to have you, and I like thinking of you here.
I hate thinking of the house empty.” They hugged.
“The feelings are mutual.” He held Grace by the shoulders and looked at her. “The last couple months have been the happiest I’ve had in years. You’ve had a part in that, in ways I doubt you’re aware of. Thank you.” He hugged her again.
“What a nice thing to say. I’m glad. That means a lot and . . .” Her voice broke, and she turned and reached for Robby who held her.
“You made my girl cry, John. What’re we gonna do about that?”
“Let me think . . . Dueling guitars? Oh . . . wait. We’ve been doing that for years. You cheat.”
“What’dya mean I cheat?”
“You turn yourself up onstage.” John laughed. “You know you do it. Don’t deny it.”
“Well . . . not every time,” Robby said, as Grace pulled away from him.
“You do that?”
“We need to get on the road,” Robby said, laughing. “I want to be sure to stop at that surf shop so Grace can get one more string bikini. Those are my favorite strings to mess with.” He and John hugged. “See you early next month on Zoom. Enjoy yourself.”
“Will do. You two drive carefully — no fooling around while driving!”
Grace and Robby walked out the door, laughing. “We started this saga with a road trip — not this long, but I don’t know if we would’ve survived longer back then. We were sniping at each other pretty constantly. I remember saying something about putting you out.”
“Like you’da done that.”
“Don’t forget those drowned sailors.” Robby laughed.
“Yeah. You talked big . . .” She looked over at him. “That still creeps me out.”
Robby smiled, reached for Grace’s hand, and stopped her. “Seriously, we’ve come a long way. Literally and figuratively. I need you in my life. Our relationship is critical to my well-being.”
“To mine too.” She gave him a quick kiss. “God it’s hot. Let’s go.”
They got in the car; Grace pushed the starter and turned the AC up full blast. Robby buckled and put his sunglasses on. “Do you have your sunglasses? You’re going to need them driving.”
Grace nodded and pulled them out of the center console. “And a spare pair in the glove box.”
“Okay. I guess we’re ready.” Grace’s hand was on the gearshift.
Robby covered it with his. They looked at each other.
“We have to make this work. Being apart was hard enough on both of us to be a deterrent. I think we know it’s not going to be easy or fun all the time.
We have to consider our relationship when we’re making decisions.
Both of us. Things’ll come up on each side.
And you admit there are strings now? Between us?
Connecting us? And we’re liking them. They’re good.
No one’s planning on cutting . . . or running . . . or dying.”
Grace nodded slowly. “Yes. I’m fine with our strings. I’ve changed, too.” She adjusted the rear-view mirror. “But I still don’t like this heat.”
Robby smiled. “Well, let’s go — Northwoods here we come!”
“Wait. Do we have the important stuff?” Grace counted off on her fingers. “I have my phone, wallet, laptop, tablet, and chargers.”
“And I have you.”