Page 42

“Not really.”

“Come on, Fallon. Mom and Billie are great. They totally think I fucked up.”

“No. They don’t. They both know that life happens.”

“The thing is, I don’t feel that way about the way things have happened,” Dave said. “Maybe it’d be better if we were out of college—if we had careers and a house. Maybe it would. Maybe I shouldn’t be…”

“Shouldn’t be what?”

“Happy about it,” Dave said. “At first, I was freaked out.”

“I get that.”

“And I’m still kind of freaked out about being someone’s dad.”

Fallon laughed. “I think that goes with the territory.”

“But I’m also happy. I know everyone is worried that we’re too young and we won’t make it. I don’t think that will happen. I want to make it work. I guess part of making it work for me is being able to take care of my family. Do you know what I mean?”

“Yeah. I do. Look, I can’t tell you what to do, and as much as I’d like to think I know what your mother will say, I can’t promise you I’m right. I still think you need to talk to her—and to Billie.”

“Yeah.”

Fallon thought it was time for a change of topic. “Do you want to stop at the Harpoon Brewery for lunch?”

Dave laughed. Fallon wasn’t much of a drinker. He always thought that was odd for someone who owned a bar. She had a weakness for UFO White Ale. It was appropriate for someone who also had an addiction to alien abduction movies. He remembered when Fallon installed the tap at Murphy’s Law for her favorite beer:

Andi giggled at the white handled tap with the UFO.

“What’s so funny?” Fallon asked.

“You.”

“Come again.”

“You realize that UFO won’t carry you to a distant galaxy?” Andi asked.

“No, but I’ll bet it will help with a few Close Encounters,” Fallon quipped.

Dave laughed at the memory.

“I’m almost positive I don’t want to know what’s so funny.”

“Just remembering something,” Dave said. “I’ll be prepared to drive home from the brewery.”

“Why would you do that?”

“Just in case you have a few too many close encounters.”

“I think those days are gone,” Fallon said. “But I’ll let you drive home.”

“Really?”

“Sure. I never turn down a nap.”

“That happens when you get old,” Dave said.

Fallon laughed.You have no idea.