Chapter 15
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Landon
Standing in the hallway, wrapped in her arms, I mention the obvious.
“I love everything about you.”
Before she can answer, Dad’s voice sounds from the kitchen.
“You talking to me, sweetheart?”
He likes messing with us. Every day. I encourage it, because the mood is changing and I’m not about to put a stop to it. Kim’s cell rings and I motion her ahead.
As we walk to the front of the house, I see my father assembling eggs and chicken sausage links for breakfast. The Milton’s All Grain bread is waiting to be toasted.
“What the hell are you doing up so early?”
“What do you mean? This is my regular routine. Up at seven, eight o’clock. Get to the day.”
He knows what I mean. It has been awhile since it was anywhere near regular. I am not about to argue the point. It’s another sign of healing. Not just physically, either.
“Morning, sunshine,” he says to Kim.
“Morning, Ronnie. I’ll have scrambled.”
“I’m making over easy.”
“Okay. That works.”
Interesting. I think she uses every opportunity to give him back a sense of control. Smart.
“See son, that’s how compromise works. If you do it right, it’s smooth as silk.”
“I’m well aware of how to compromise.” I stop myself. Not every point has to be won. “You’re right, Dad. I’ll be at the bar till six.”
“Maybe next week I’ll join you. Just for a visit. I’m not quite ready to work yet. But soon. Soon.”
“Great. Let’s make it happen.”
Getting Kim’s attention, I wave goodbye. Don’t want to interrupt the phone conversation with Hunter. She’s soothing him about something. There’s a kiss blown in my direction. Before heading out the door, I look around and under the tables.
“Where’s Dolly?”
“I was just wondering the same thing. The B Boys have been too quiet. Go. Get out of here. I’ll track them down.”
“I just want to see if I need to get her out of a jam. She was stuck on the side of the wLayton last weekend.”
“I figured something out yesterday.”
He starts to whistle a familiar Broadway tune. Then he adds personalized lyrics.
“Hello dear Dolly. Well you’re pretty, my sweet Dolly. It so nice to have you safe where you belong.”
The first thing that happens is the appearance of Barney. He comes from the hall, into the kitchen, where Dad stands. The eye contact he makes is purposeful.
“See, he knows I’m looking for her.”
“Where’s Dolly?” I say.
He takes off and I follow him. A turn into the guest room where Biscuit stands guard at the chest of drawers. Dad comes behind me.
“There’s nothing to get under,” I say from the door.
Moving around me, Dad takes a look on the far side of the big wooden piece.
“There’s my little girl,” he says almost in a whisper. “She’s hiding.”
He bends down and lifts the frightened animal into his arms. It is strange, but the other dogs aren’t barking for attention or being pissed it isn’t for them.
“These two are interested in what’s happening.”
“They know. They sense the fear and they want to help. I believe it.”
Barney walks ahead of Dad, and Biscuit takes the rear, as we walk back to the living room.
“You have an escort,” Kim says, putting her cell in a pocket. “Poor little baby. She practically freezes.
“Get me a few of the small bones,” Dad says, sitting in his chair. “Please. Let’s try again.”
She retrieves them from the glass jar on the counter and brings them over.
“Look what I have for you, my baby.”
He holds the treat close enough for her to pick up the scent, but far enough away not to frighten.
At first there is no response. Then her tiny black nose wiggles.
Dad doesn’t move an inch. He waits for her to make the effort, showing the dog that in this house no punishment follows a kindness.
No bait and switch tactic made by the one who feeds.
The B Boys stand guard. Although the thought of getting a treat themselves must surely be squeezing their saliva glands.
“I’ll get two for the boys.”
When I return, Dolly has her nose against the bone. She doesn’t trust the gift or the humans. Not yet.
“Dolly’s treat,” he says.
It is not a river, but a small stream of drool that falls from Barney’s mouth.
It takes another five seconds before the bone is taken.
Five long beats. Carefully, she opens her mouth and takes the bone.
Jumping down, she heads for the corner. We all hold our breaths for a moment and then celebrate quietly.
“She did it!” Kim whispers as she ends her conversation.
Biscuit and Barney revert to themselves and rush me. The noise level returns to normal. At least it hasn’t bothered the new resident. She’s good with some audible chaos. It’s another way the attention doesn’t have to be on her.
“Here you go. Good boys!”
I get my fingers out just in time.
“What’s happening with Hunter?”
“His and Bing’s road trip is off. Remember I told you they were going? Layton’s job got pushed ahead another few weeks. By then the free room their friend offered in Memphis will be off the table. That’s the whole reason they picked the city.”
“If they want, I have some jobs for them. Here, or at the bar. Or maybe they could help with my move. I have to go to my condo the last few days of the month. That’s when the old lease ends. They could help me move my stuff into the lake house. I’d have to hire help anyway.”
“That could work.”
“What if I get creative with the pay?”
“Like how?”
“I’ll let them stay there for a week. I’ll give them enough cash for food and whatever. Like three hundred or so. And, they’d have the lake and the wave runner. Nobody to bother them. Yeah. It could work. Think they’d be interested?”
“Of course. I mean I think so. But let’s think about this.”
“What’s the hesitation?”
“Experience. I know kids. Boys in particular. They are not as careful as adults, and they like to mess around. First of all, do you really think the wave runner is a good idea? Remember how it was to be that age, Landon?”
“Yeah. Okay. I’ll loan them the paddle board.”
“That’s much better. It’s a good deal for them.”
“Listen, it’s a great deal for all of us. I get moved, they get a vacation at the lake, and Hunter and I get to know each other a little more.”
“What do you think, Ronnie?”
“I think it sounds good.”
“Talk to Hunter, he has my number. I’ll be at the bar all day. There’s a few tweaks I need to make there.”
My father’s eyes immediately land on me and his eyebrows knit together.
“What the hell are you doing to the bar? I don’t remember being included in decisions about my own business.”
Oh shit. I was so used to his disinterest, I didn’t notice exactly when things changed.
“It isn’t anything major, Dad. I’m just righting what went off course. Like the blinking wall sconce and the funky toilet handle.”
His shoulders relax an inch. I leave out the plan to repaint the decades old wall color and change the shitty booths.
“If it’s anything more than that, I want to be consulted,” he says, making sure I remember who is boss.
“Done. Now that we’re on the subject, what do you think of the booths? I looked at them the other day. There’s cracks and rips that can’t be patched anymore. And they’re too close together. Everybody’s legs are stuck out the sides and Shannon has tripped twice.”
“Too much money. It’s a good idea, but I need to pay for other things. Necessities.”
“Let’s put it on the list then. Maybe not for this time, but whenever I visit I can tackle something. The place is looking a little ragged.”
He looks at me with tenderness.
“Son, I don’t want you to have to work every time you visit. Then we’d miss our talks.”
Kim’s eyes and tilt of her head say she is moved. Yeah, I am too. We used to talk about anything. Everything. When did we lose the habit? I know exactly when. Mom.
He pivots back to his rescue, who chews on the bone.
“Some girl thinks she wants to disappear. But I know she really wants to be found. Isn’t that so, Dolly dear?”
Attention turns to the dog, but it is the goodness in the man that I see. Why is it getting me emotional?
“Okay, now I’m really off. Bye, babe.”
“Bye now.” Dad wiggles his fingers in an exaggerated feminine wave that makes me laugh.
“What’s wrong with you, man?”
Kim sends a more interesting farewell. She points to herself, shapes a heart with her fingers and kisses the air. I’ll return it tonight.
Mom's during daylight has a whole other vibe.
The five outside tables are usually taken by riders passing through Smyrna.
The ones who read biker magazines. A bar that has lasted decades is one thing.
The fact it has changed so little is another draw.
I need to keep that in mind when I suggest upgrades.
The old mood sits well with lifelong riders.
Days here suit me better. People are rarely a hundred percent drunk off their asses. In sunlight hours you don’t have to break up a fight, or refuse service as often. I catch Layton’s eye and signal I’m coming over.
“Frank, I’m taking a break.”
He doesn’t respond and I don’t expect one. I hang the towel on a hook and head for the group. Lex calls across the room.
“Shannon! Bring beer.”
The woman excuses being summoned by men who don’t think it is an insult.
The good tips she gets from them balance any annoyance she might feel.
That’s what she says, anyway. It isn’t right, but everybody is happy.
Not my battle. She doesn’t take it from every man, which is a clear sign of who makes it worth her while and who doesn’t.
I pull the chair back and take a seat.
“You look like shit,” Layton says half laughing.
“But he feels really good,” Lex adds chuckling.
They know Kim and I are rolling in the deep. I just smile.
“Recognize that look? You had it. Have it.” Layton nods to Lex.
“So what’s happening? Did Ronnie agree to the plan to refurbish the booths and get a new paint job?”
“Sort of. I brought it up and he said it was too expensive. Wants to be included in any change. It might be better to hold off for now.”