88
T. SPEAR
My dad stops in his tracks and lets the post driver fall on top of the wood. He wipes his hands across his jeans and looks at me.
“Is this someone, a woman?”
“Yes, Dad.”
He nods his head.
“Is your mom going to like her?”
“I don’t see why she wouldn’t. She isn’t like anyone I’ve ever met before.” I can feel my face getting warm talking about her.
Remembering the soft feel of her lips against mine.
Pretend it didn’t happen, Grayson
“Well, alright then. I’ll let your mom know you might have a plus one.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
We finish the back section and join mom for Tuesday night dinner. Tonight, is spareribs, mashed sweet potatoes, and corn on the cob.
“Your son here wants to have a plus one to the family reunion.”
My mom’s eyes grow wide, and her smile tries not to spread across her face.
“Oh really?” she says.
“Yeah. Her name is Riley. She got here a couple weeks ago and works with me on the weekends.”
“I’m certainly not opposed to you bringing someone,” my mom says and goes back to eating.
WHEN YOU'RE READY
89
“Thanks mom,” I say and do the same.
***
THE WEATHER ISN’T LOOKING too promising today, but we will still take a shot at it. I for one don’t enjoy fishing in the rain, so today may be for nothing. By the time I pull up to Riley’s campsite, it starts sprinkling. She holds her hands up to her shoulders and shrugs. I get out of the car and walk over to her, the rain steadily growing harder.
“Well, this blows,” she says
“Yeah, it does. Do you want to wait it out and see if it clears up?”
Riley looks to the sky a low rumble spread across the clouds.
“Uh, not really.”
“Fair enough,” I laugh “Want to go hang out at my place, watch old movies and binge on snacks?”
She points her finger towards me and gives me a knowing grin.
“Absolutely I do,” she laughs