18. Jesse
18
Jesse
Present Day
It’s Friday night and the crew and I are hanging out in the garage after a long week. I laugh to myself because the "crew" isn’t really a crew at all—it’s just me, Charlie, and John.
They're the only two people, besides my parents, who know about the software I sold and the money that came with it. I don't have to hide anything from them.
The garage is basically our man cave. It’s decked out with a pool table, ping pong table, and a small kitchen with a bar. But the real highlight is the flatscreen TV I mounted last year. It’s perfect for watching football and basketball games with the guys.
Over the years, I’ve collected various vintage metal signs from all the places I’ve traveled to on vacation. I’ve mounted them on the garage walls for décor, and honestly, that’s about as far as I’ve gone with decorating.
It's nothing fancy, just a perfect escape from everything. When we’re in here, it’s like the outside world doesn’t exist—just good games, good friends, and no distractions.
I open the fridge and pull out a cold, cherry soda. I scuff my work boots on the concrete floor, fix my hat, and pop the top off of the glass bottle. “Do you guys want a cold one?”
It’s always been a running joke to “crack open a cold one” at my place, but I don’t drink alcohol. I don’t judge anyone who does, but alcoholism runs in my family, and I’ve seen firsthand how it can tear someone apart when abused. Charlie and John know this and respect my decision, which I appreciate.
“I’ll take one!” Charlie says, raising his hand as he lounges on the futon, flipping through TV channels.
“What about you, John?” I ask, glancing over at him.
“I’ll pass this time. I’m trying to watch my summer bod,” he replies with a laugh, patting his stomach.
John's not a big guy by any means, so his comment made me chuckle. "Yeah, right. By the way, I already ordered a pizza for us. I got your favorite, John," I wink at him.
John leans back on the couch, letting out a sigh. "Honestly, after the day I've had, it'll be a miracle if I can eat anything."
“What kind of trouble did you get into today?” Charlie teases.
“I was hoping you’d ask,” John says, sitting up a bit. “If you really want to know, I was at Henry and Mira's farm doing an emergency delivery of a calf.”
John’s a pro when it comes to emergency situations like that. He’s the best emergency vet in Scottsdale—and the only one.
“Remind me not to shake his hand,” Charlie whispers to me, his face twisted in a playful look of disgust.
“You’re such a wimp, Charlie,” John says, rolling his eyes but laughing. “I guess when they left for their vacation, they had no idea one of their cows was pregnant. She was in labor for who knows how long. It’s a miracle that both of them were okay after delivery.”
The whole thing sounds like another one of John’s crazy adventures, but he never lets it phase him. I can’t even imagine the stress he must’ve been under, but he's always calm in those situations.
Lucy, my German Shepherd, took that as the perfect time to greet Charlie and John. She trots over to them and lets them him pet her, one at a time.
“Come here, pretty girl,” I call out.
Lucy runs over to me and flips onto her back. I rub her belly and her head lolls to the side with her tongue sticking out. She really is the best companion ever. She’s spoiled plum rotten too.
I sit back on the bar stool and take a swig of my pop. “How's life in paradise with Shae, John?”
“Honestly, things are going pretty good. We’re still planning on tying the knot soon. She’s been busy with wedding planning, and I’ve been busy delivering baby cows.” We all laugh.
“Shae told me about Coraline moving back into town.” He pauses and looks at me while smirking.
“Is that so?” I ask, avoiding eye contact.
“She also told me that you bought food from every restaurant in town and had it delivered to her house.”
I cringe and I can feel my face turn tomato red. I look down at my drink. “I ordered the food online. She wasn’t supposed to know who it came from.”
“Are you trying to get back into her good graces?” Charlie prods.
I shrug, still not looking up from my drink. “I don’t know, man. It wasn’t about that. It was just... I figured it might help, you know? She’s going through a lot right now, and I didn’t want her to feel alone. I hate seeing people unhappy, especially kids.”
John leans back, giving me that typical half-smile of his. “I get it. You’re trying to be a good guy. But if you’re not careful, you might just end up complicating things even more.”
“No. I moved on from her years ago," I roll my eyes hoping that they don’t see straight through me. “I just felt bad about her oven breaking and decided to do my neighborly duty and welcome her back into town.”
“Whatever you say, Jesse.” John snickers.
“Charlie, how about you? How’s your love life going?” I try not to poke too much into Charlie's love life because I know he is still holding on to his grief.
He tried to go on a date one time earlier this year and Jenny, his daughter, found out. She had an absolute melt down.She was only three when her mother passed away and I can't even begin to imagine how hard it is for them.
All I can do is be there for them and pray that God will send him a wife that will help pick up his broken pieces and love him unconditionally.
“I’m still not ready to try, not with what happened the last time.”
I nod in understanding and leave it at that.
I’m sitting on my front porch swing with Lucy, her head resting gently in my lap as she gazes up at me with that familiar look of adoration. It’s a lazy Saturday evening, and I couldn’t ask for a better way to wind down.
This morning, my dad and I got up early and took the boat out on the lake. We each caught four fish, making it a pretty successful day of fishing at Camp Willowbrooke.
After fishing, I met up with the camp staff to continue working on ideas and plans for the 100th year celebration. We ordered the materials that were requested and assigned roles to everyone.
We've got an excellent lineup of food trucks and local vendors, plus plenty of activities for the kids. I made sure to carve out a spot for Pamela from the Scottsdale Diner and her famous banana pudding cake—no celebration would be complete without it.
We have a few local singers and gospel bands lined up to play for everyone. It should be a really great time for the town to get together and enjoy the campground. Cora’s grandfather is supposed to be in attendance to kick off the celebration and bless the party with a prayer.
Speaking of Cora, my gaze shifts toward the rental house where she's staying. To my surprise, I spot her sitting on her back porch, enjoying the evening just like me. I watch her for a moment, trying to study her from this distance with the sun setting behind her. A part of me wonders if I should go over and talk to her.
I’m not angry at her anymore. I’ve let go of the past. I gave it to God. I’ve moved on from everything that happened between us years ago, but I can tell she hasn’t. Every act of kindness I’ve offered has only seemed to make her more upset.
I want her to let go of whatever lingering resentment she's holding onto. I need her to see that I’m a man now. I’m not that high school football star anymore, and I’m definitely not the same little boy she left behind. I can handle whatever comes my way.
I bow my head and say a small prayer, asking for God’s guidance.
“Well, Lucy, looks like I’m doing it. Wish me luck girl,” I say while pressing a gentle kiss to her head.