Chapter 10 Can of Corn
Chapter ten
Can of Corn
Derby
The house was done. Papers signed. I handed the keys to Momma.
“Baby-boy, I still can’t believe you did this.” She took the key and held it to her chest. “This means the world to me.” She had tears welling up in her eyes, but I didn’t want her to cry.
“Me too.” I hugged her quickly, then pulled away. “I’ve got movers coming to help you move, but let’s go look at the place.”
“What? I told you not to do that. You want to go there now?”
“I know. Did it anyway. And yes, now. Come on. Let’s go.
” It took a little more time to cajole her out of the single-wide and into my SUV.
Then we drove over to the lot. It was beautiful with the landscaping complete and numbers on the door.
I looked around the front. It seemed as if there were a lot more flowers than there had been before.
Momma tapped her fingers on the armrest. “This is way more—”
“Shush. It’s everything you deserve. I would never have been anything without you. Now come on.” We got out of the car and walked up the front steps.
“This porch is lovely. Just lovely.”
“Wait until you see inside.”
I gave her the tour, and she ahh’d over everything. She still couldn’t believe it was hers, but once we got back to the SUV, I pulled the papers out of the glove compartment and handed them to her. “Your name is on this paper. Says this house is yours.”
Momma cried, silent tears cascading down her face. “I’m so proud of you,” she said with a shaky breath, once she’d caught it.
“Like I said, Momma. I wouldn’t be anywhere without you.”
After that, we had dinner, and I took her to her old home on the East side. It was a lovely evening spent with my mother, but I wanted to share it with Godwin, too. A part of me felt that was right, fitting. The other part of me wasn’t sure if it would be welcome.
But I wanted something deeper. I wanted to call Brexlin home. Wanted to call Godwin home.
I needed to do something to win Godwin over. Something that would push us closer together, strengthening our bond. I couldn’t stop thinking about him. I had no excuses left to come see him. I needed to show him that I would still be around and could be trusted.
Later that evening, I drove out to the hotel I’d booked.
Since Momma was in the middle of moving, it made sense to get a room—stay out of her way.
I checked in and dropped my luggage at the door.
Then, I got comfortable and pulled on sweatpants, grabbed my phone, and crawled up on the bed.
The first thing I needed to do was work with Amy.
I had to make sure I would have as much time in Brexlin as possible.
Then, I had to figure out what to do when I did visit.
I couldn’t keep staying at a hotel, but I couldn’t assume I’d be welcome at Godwin’s house. I could stay with Momma after she moved into the new house. There was plenty of room there, but that wasn’t where I wanted to be.
I called Amy and worked with her on a more consistent schedule for the rest of the season. She was eager to help me, demanding only the opportunity to meet Godwin in person at some point. I loved that gal. She was more like family than an employee.
Once that was finished, I emailed the schedule to Godwin. That was an easy thing to do, letting him know when I’d be home.
Home.
I wanted that to be true. I needed to sort out the rest of my plan.