Page 90 of Savage Ends

By the end of her shift, she stepped out of the shop to find a car approaching.Ava tensed up, then she recognized Doc, Pat’s father.

“Hey, sweetheart.I’m here to take you home.”

“Oh, I ...you have to take me to my mom’s,” she said.

Doc nodded.

At first, she didn’t move.“Is Pat okay?”Ava asked.

“He’s fine.Just dealing with some business.”

Ava nodded, then quickly rounded to the passenger side and slid in.She took a deep breath and couldn’t help but be a little nervous.This was Pat’s dad, who she had only met once before.She didn’t know if she was supposed to be making a good impression or a bad one.She didn’t know what to say or do.

“Do you need to know where I’m going?”

“No, I took your sister home, and she told me where you live.”

“Right, right,” Ava said.

Her nerves were getting the better of her.Even her hands had started to shake.

“Relax, Ava,” Doc said.“I’m not going to hurt you.”

“I know.”

Doc laughed.“Are you worried about me wondering if you’re good enough for my son?”

“Are you?”She tried not to frown.

The man beside her chuckled.“I forgot what it was like to have a civilian around.”

She still didn’t know if that was a good or bad thing.

“Pat’s mom was,” Doc said.“She had never known a day in the life until she met me.She was a firecracker, though, that you can count on.”

Ava didn’t say anything, just stayed silent.

“I’m glad Pat found you.He is a changed man.You’ll be good for him.”

She looked toward him and felt so relieved.“I love him,” Ava said.

“I know.”

“I haven’t told him.”

“I know.”

“Do you think he is ready to hear it?”Ava asked.

Doc smiled.“That, I don’t know.My son is a complicated and simple person, all at the same time.You’ll know when to tell him.”

He arrived at her mother’s house.

Ava couldn’t believe the drive had gone so quickly.“Thank you.”

“Be careful out there,” Doc said.

“I will.”She smiled at him, then leaned over and kissed his cheek.“Thank you for taking me home.”