looking around at the improved space, “I’d say we’ve earned ourselves a couple beers.”
“Can’t argue with that.”
I pull a couple lawn chairs over into the middle of the yard while my dad goes into the house to get the beers. When he comes back, we pop off the lids and both sit back and relax, chatting for a few minutes about his plans for the shed. It needs a fresh coat of paint and some new shelves installed inside, but it’s already looking a hell of a lot better.
“Feels good to make some progress on that damn thing,” my dad says. “I’ve been meaning to get around to fixing it up for years. Wish I’d gotten around to it while your mother was still alive, but at least I’m finally getting around to it.”
“What color did she want to paint it again?” I ask.
“Pale blue or green.” He smiles and shakes his head. “Well, whatever color I paint it, I’m sure as hell not using that old meat-colored paint your mom hated.”
I laugh.
He takes a swig of his beer. “Speaking of your mom…I think I’m going to start clearing out some of her stuff from the house. That all right with you, son?”
It’s been three years since my mom died—a length of time that doesn’t feel right no matter how I think of it. To be honest, though, I’m glad my dad has brought up the topic of sorting through Mom’s old stuff. It’s not doing him any good just sitting in piles around the house.
“Of course that’s fine,” I say.
“I don’t want to get rid of everything,” he says. “Just…you know. Stuff that doesn’t have any…sentimental value or whatnot.”
“I can help out.”
He gives a little shrug. “That’s okay. I don’t mind doing it myself.”
I know my dad well enough to know what he’s really saying—that he’d prefer to sort through it on his own. The guy might act like he’s not very emotional, but I know there’s a softer side beneath his more reserved exterior.
“Anyway,” he says, shifting in his lawn chair. “What’s new with you? How’s work?”
“It’s good. We just upgraded some of the machines.”
“Sounds fancy. I’ve been meaning to come in, you know. I really have.”
“Hey, no pressure. When you do come in, though, you’ll have to check out the new steam room.”
“Steam room? Damn. If you’d mentioned that earlier…”
“You can’t just come in for the steam.”
We both laugh, and then he takes another sip of beer. “Seriously, though, I’m proud of you, son. You’ve really made something of that business of yours.”
“Thanks, Pop.”
Silence falls between us for a few moments before I realize my dad is studying me.
“Anything on your mind, Gavin?” he asks. “You’ve seemed a bit distracted today.”
I’ve tried my best to act like nothing’s been bothering me, like I haven’t had Emily on my mind this whole time, but I’m not surprised that my dad has picked up on something.
I can’t lie to him and tell him nothing’s the matter, either.
“Well,” he says, after I still haven’t answered for several seconds, “if it isn’t work, then it probably isn’t money, either. That just leaves one thing.” He sits back in his chair as a faint smile crosses his lips. “Do you want to tell me about her?”
I laugh and shake my head. “Fine. Yes. I met a woman.”
He waits for me to go on.
“Her name is Emily. She’s a ballet dancer. She was in the gym for just a week, so I got to know her a little bit then, and then we went out on a date a few days ago.”
“And?”
It all rushes back to me: her smile, her honeyed voice, the taste of her kiss.
“It was fantastic. I know it’s crazy, Pop, but I can really see a future with her.”
“That’s great, son. Gotta say, I’m glad you’re finally thinking about settling down.”
“Well…problem is, it can’t go anywhere. Not right now, at least. She’s really dedicated to her dancing, and she said she can’t get distracted by dating. I mean, I get it. But it still stings.”
“You really like her.”
“I do.” I let out a sigh. “But there’s no point in torturing myself over something I can’t change.”
My dad idly rubs a thumb over his wedding ring. “You know, Gavin…when I met your mother, we were living in different cities. For a while there, it seemed impossible that anything could happen between us. But I wrote to her. Waited for her. Eventually it all worked out.”
I nod. “I’ve always loved the