Chapter 49
Chapter Forty-Nine
WYATT
I guess Pa decided that two hours was enough time to let us relax before turning on the inquisition. He might be the one about to ask the questions, but I know this push for information is coming from Ma.
“What made you guys finally take the leap?”
I wipe my napkin across my mouth and lean back from my plate. “We’re both in the same place for the first time in five years.”
“You didn’t think long distance would work?” The questions are going strong, but I’m handling myself.
“I knew it would, but I wasn’t the one going overseas. I couldn’t put Nash in that position.” I don’t say that I tried by kissing her before she left. “That doesn’t matter now.”
In his proper fatherly tone, he says, “You’re right, what matters now is being together.” Under his breath, he mutters. “I don’t know why that can’t be in Wisconsin, but…”
This is what I’ve been waiting for since I stepped foot off the plane today.
As many times as we’ve rehashed my leaving Green Bay over the last year, he cannot understand it.
It’s a sick sort of irony that from my chair at the table I can see through the living room to where my family’s singular share of the Butchers rests in a place of exaltation above the fireplace.
I’m sure half of Wisconsin probably displays an antique rifle that’s some kind of family heirloom, the other half have that same certificate.
“We always knew the chances of me staying in Green Bay for my entire career were slim.” Honestly, I’m getting a little heated at the way they’re hanging onto this. It’s been a whole season since I played for Green Bay. Why are we still talking about this? None of this is in my control.
“At least your child plays a sport that makes a ton of money so they can stay in their country to play instead of having to go live across the ocean from you for years at a time.” Nash’s tone is scolding, which I didn’t expect.
She’s not wrong. They’re sitting at the dinner table with their son, who until last year never had to go more than a couple hours away to play football.
They don’t realize how hard they could have had it.
Pa, at least, has the decency to look admonished. He looks to Nash, who looks like she’s considering drowning herself in the thick and creamy embrace of Ma’s mac ’n cheese. Not the worst way to go.
“I’m sorry, Nash,” Pa says. He’s a good man, he’s just so entrenched in the Wisco of it all that he can’t see anything else.
Maybe it has something to do with me and Henry not being little boys anymore.
He’s losing Henry to marriage—as much as he can when they will end up living in a house on Henry’s part of this land.
He’s lost me to professional football, even though I come home often.
Times are changing, but everything in this house is the same.
They don’t have to worry about Henry anymore, so now all their attention has turned to me.
“It’s okay, Charlie. I chose to play in Italy. I loved it there, but I’m equally happy to be home.” Nash has recovered and is forking a green bean instead of wishing for death.
“We shouldn’t be spending all night talking about me and Nash, we should be talking about the plans for the weekend.” I gesture at Henry who has been quietly devouring several bratwursts.
“Tomorrow—rehearsal dinner at The Lodge. Saturday—wedding. Any questions?” he deadpans.
“What time should I be there on Saturday?”
“Around one o’clock. There’ll be lunch when we get there.”
Ma stands and starts collecting her plates. “Is everyone finished?”
A chorus of yeses come in reply. We all stand to get our plates back to the kitchen. When I put mine in the dishwasher after rinsing it in the sink, Ma stops me. “Why don’t you take Nash to the beach and get a bonfire going? You can take s’mores stuff with you. We have everything for it.”
I put my arms around her in a bear hug. “Thanks, Ma.” When did she get so small? Is she shrinking already? I thought that was just a thing in movies.
I turn to Nash. “Grab a sweatshirt. It’s not that chilly, but it’s the wind that’ll get ya.”
A flash of amusement glitters through her eyes, and I know I’ve pleased her with my midwestern-isms.
Seeing her in my parents’ house, back in my hometown, I realize that I want to spend the rest of my life finding new ways to please her.