“Will you be working on that Friday, Grayson?” my mom asks.
“Yeah. I committed to every weekend over the summer.”
“I’m sure after the fundraiser, everyone will migrate over to The Atlas.”
“I like busy nights, so that won’t hurt my feelings any.”
I sit back and listen to the four of them talk and plan this event.
They decided to make it a costume party and the theme, the 80’s.
It should be a fun night.
“Alright, well, Kathy and I should be headin home. We have to get the house ready for grandkids tomorrow.” Bill says
“Oh, have so much fun with those little rascals.” My mom says with a big smile on her face. Then she glances at me. Yeah, I know mom, I am your only source of grandbabies.
WHEN YOU'RE READY
19
They say their goodbyes and my dad sits back in his chair. My mom puts her hand on my shoulder and give it a small squeeze.
“Are you staying for dinner?” she asks
“Yeah.” I say and look up at her, giving her the best ‘all’s good’
smile that I can. I never want my mom to worry about me.
“Great. I am making baked ziti, with a salad and garlic bread.”
“Sounds great, mom.”
Once she is gone my dad leans forward, putting his elbows on his knees and rubbing his hands together.
“What’s going on son. You haven’t been around. Your mother is concerned. I told her your job takes a lot out of ya, and you have a social life. But you know she can’t help it. You just stopped showing up.”
“I know, dad. I don’t have an excuse for it, really. I’ve been feeling stuck. I don’t know, it’s hard to explain.”
“You’re young, you shouldn’t feel stuck yet. You’re at your prime. You need to go enjoy yourself.”
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Mrs. Jones told me your cat got in her flower shop again.” he says as he leans back into his chair with a chuckle.
“He’s not my cat. He hangs out around the ally a lot.”
“Oh yeah? You feed it?”
“Well, yeah. I’m not heartless”
“You give it a name?”
20
T. SPEAR
“Yeah.”