“I’ll help you carry Lennon in,” I murmur as we pull up into Katie’s driveway.
“There’s no need. I’ll just wake him up,” she says, barely pulling her gaze from staring out the window. She’s been quiet and subdued since coming back into the restaurant. I don’t know what Jeff said, but whatever it was, it obviously cut her up in pieces. Little Lennon tried to draw her into the conversation, but she was too quiet to really join in. We did end up going for ice cream, and I could tell that Katie was trying to be happy for Lennon, but I don’t think he was fooled at all. I sure as hell wasn’t.
It pisses me off that I even give a damn that Katie is upset. I should be cheering, but I find I can’t. My brother is a fucking asshole. Everyone in town always compared us, and Jeff was the good brother. He was the one you could depend on. I was always pegged as the black sheep of the family. I heard the busybodies gossiping in town talking about how I was just like my father, a drifter who was never satisfied. It’s ironic that it was my goody-two-shoes brother who was a lying bastard. I doubt they’ll talk about that, though. The truth never holds the same appeal as lies when it comes to gossip.
“I hate to disturb the little guy. He’s worn out.”
“He crashed from a sugar rush,” she whispers. “I have to wake him up, anyway. He’s got to have a bath for school tomorrow.”
“Katie about my brother—”
“I don’t want to talk about it, Jake, and honestly, what happens between me and Jeff should stay between us.
I bite my tongue—even though there’s a lot of shit I want to say.
“Okay. I’ll help you get your stuff to the door then,” I mumble, my hand going to my door handle.
“I’m sorry, Jake. It’s just been a rough day, you know?”
“Not really, I had a good day. I appreciate you letting me go.”
“Lennon loved it. You’re welcome to stay until he bathes and help tuck him in,” she offers, shocking the hell out of me.
“I’d like to,” I respond tentatively.
“Good. You’d be helping me. It’s late, so you can make sure Mom eats while I give Lennon his bath.”
“Are you sure?”
“Honestly? No,” she laughs—a sound that holds no humor.
“Then—”
“But it’s not like it matters anymore. Besides, it will make Lennon happy and that’s what truly counts.”
There’s a lot I could say. Hell, I probably should. Yet, I find myself remaining quiet about everything and just nodding. She wakes Lennon up, and while she’s helping him out of my truck, I grab the shopping bags and the to-go box with Miss Hazel’s dinner.
Katie unlocks the door, and Lennon barrels in yelling for his grandmother—all signs of sleep gone in an instant. Katie gives me a sad semi-grin and shakes her head. I return her smile, but I still don’t talk. I am feeling something that I can’t explain. It hasme on edge. I take the stuff over to the kitchen island as I listen to Lennon talk.
“Grandma! You should see all the stuff I got today! And Jake got me two Pikachu shirts and a hoodie! Archer is gonna be so jealous!”
“Well, wasn’t that nice of Jake,” Miss Hazel says, and I can feel her staring at me before I even turn. She has eagle eyes.
“Evenin’, Miss Hazel,” I respond, refusing to cower under her stare—it’s a near thing, though. No one can put you in your place or call you on your shit as good as that woman.
“Jake,” she murmurs, and I never thought I’d hear my name sound like a loaded weapon, but that’s the only way it can be described.
“Are you hungry?” I ask as Katie goes over and hugs her and kisses her cheek.
“I had some fried chicken, fresh green beans, taters out of the garden, and corn, too.”
I laugh. “Well, Miss Hazel, what is in this box won’t compete with that for sure, but there’s a piece of cheesecake you might like.”
“What in the heck are you waiting for, boy? Get an old woman a fork.”
“You got it,” I mutter, shaking my head.
“Mom, I’m going to give Lennon a bath.”