Page 8 of Out on a Limb

Campus was but a speck in Walker’s rearview mirror when he reached Petty Marsh, a new gated development in the hills of Duncannon. He drove down streets with cute names, past lawns landscaped to within an inch of their life, each McMansion blurring into the next. He turned right on Lillypond Lane and stopped at the house with the wraparound veranda. Walker parked on the street. Two SUVs sat on the circular driveway.

“Sorry I’m late.” Walker shook his head. “Work…”

Doug nodded and kept his hand on the front door. His hair was combed back meticulously, with his glasses resting on his head. He still had his boyish looks, like he never left Browerton.

“They’re really working you hard down there.” Doug tapped his wedding ring against the door.Clack clack clack.

“They are.” Walker hated that he apologized to him once already. He wouldn’t do it again.

“I have friends who work in advertising. None of them work as hard as you.”

They’re my friends, too, Walker thought. Though it was clear which side they took in the divorce.

“Doug, I’m tired. Is he ready?”

“Hey, Walker.” Ron poked his head next to Doug and stuck out his hand.

“Good to see you, Ron.” Walker shook it a little too hard. He enjoyed watching him wince.

“Dinner’s getting cold.” Ron kissed Doug on the cheek, making Walker wince. He disappeared back inside the house.

“Is he ready?” Walker asked again.

Doug glanced over his shoulder and tensed slightly. His lips drooped at the corners. Bad news was coming Walker’s way. You don’t spend fifteen years with a person and not pick up these infinitesimal shifts. “Can I talk to you for a second?”

He stepped outside and shut the door.

“Is Hobie okay?” Walker asked.

“He’s fine. We’re throwing a party for him on Sunday. You got the invite, right?”

“Yeah.” The invitation had a trampoline background.Hobie’s Jumping Jivin’ Sixth Birthday Party!Doug left no stone unturned when it came to parties.

“Well, Hobie’s actual birthday is Saturday—”

“I know when my son’s actual birthday is.”

“Ourson.” Doug shot back, a sharp blade in his diplomatic demeanor. “Anyway, he wants to stay here for the weekend, for his actual birthday and the party.”

“So you’d have him for the entire weekend? This is my weekend, Doug. I’m being nice letting you have him early on Sunday.”

“I understand, but he really would like to be here for the whole weekend. He wants Ron to make him a batch of birthday pancakes, and he wants to sleep in his bed.”

“Ron can make him the pancakes on Monday morning, and Hobie has a bed at my place. It’s an awesome racecar bed.” One that cost nearly as much as his own bed and was superior to the regular humdrum bed at Doug and Ron’s.

And Ron’s special birthday pancakes? Bisquick.

“Monday morning isn’t his actual birthday. He really wants to have all this on Saturday, the whole pomp and circumstance, if you will.”

“I haven’t had a full weekend with him in three weeks.” Walker had to switch around his last weekend because of a work deadline. And now with the media review, he knew it was only going to get worse.

“And who’s decision was that?”

Walker seethed with rising anger. He rubbed at his temples and worked overtime to keep his cool. Doug remained calm as always.

“It would mean a lot to Hobie. I know you want to make him happy, Walker.”

Walker plunked down onto the rocking chair on the porch. Doug sat in the wicker chair across from him.