Page 90 of Smoky Mountain Dreams

“Slow going, isn’t it?” Bob said. “They’ll pick it up. Havesome patience, boy.”

Christopher agreed and hoped the game came back on soon. Nomatter how dull it was, Bob would be absorbed. When the players flashed ontothe screen again, the green of the field and the gray of the sky reminded himof the weather the prior Thursday when Jesse had convinced him to drive toMaryville to get sushi for lunch at Anaba.

It’d been Christopher’s first sushi, and it was nice enough,but probably not something he’d want to drive an hour for again. Except thatwatching Jesse eat it and explain each and every bite he’d consumed had beenpretty intoxicating. That had probably been worth it despite the weirdness ofthe drive down.

Instead of heading straight to the restaurant, Jesse hadsaid, “I’ve got to do something. It’ll just take a few minutes, okay?” And thenhe’d pulled into the parking lot of a nursing home in Sevierville.

“Where are we?”

“This is…I just need to run in and deliver some stuff. For Marcy.”

“Oh,” Christopher’s heart had started racing. The idea ofgoing into the place and seeing Jesse’s wife was terrifying. What would shelook like? How would it be? But before he could fully process that, Jesse hadinterrupted his thoughts.

“You can just wait here. I won’t be long.”

Christopher was swept with relief, followed immediately by astrange disappointment and hurt. “No, it’s okay. I’ll go with you.”

Jesse had pinned him with a look then, a sharp, almost angryexpression unlike any Christopher had ever seen on his face. “Iwantyou to stay here.”

“Oh.” Christopher had felt slapped, coldness sinking intohim steadily, as Jesse got out of the car and opened the trunk. He’d sat in hisseat, watching Jesse pause by the door to enter a code, and then walk insidewith a laundry bag.

He’d considered getting out and following, but Jesse hadbeen clear, and Christopher didn’t want to have a fight—their first fight,unless he counted the night he’d found out about Marcy—over something likethis. If Jesse didn’t want him to come in, maybe there was a good reason. Maybeshe was sick, or—no, if she was sick, then wouldn’t he need to stay longer thanjust a few minutes? Maybe he thought Christopher couldn’t handle it? Or that hedidn’t care?

It wasn’t more than ten minutes before Jesse returned. Hewas quiet and a little shaky when he turned the car engine over, and put itinto drive. “So,” he’d said. “That’s done.”

“Everything okay?”

He’d laughed, a twisted, hurting sound, more like a bark. “No.Every time I see her, I’m reminded again that everything is definitelynotokay.”

“I’m sorry.”

He’d sighed and put his hand on Christopher’s knee. “No, Iam. Listen, can we—the thing is, right now I want to be here with you, not backin that room with her. So, let’s talk about something else. Please?”

Christopher had agreed, but they’d ridden mostly in silenceuntil Jesse had started telling him about the various sushi options, explaininghis favorites, and making suggestions about what Christopher should try first.

No, losing a spouse or a parent wasn’t like a commercial atall. No amount of protection from a life insurance company would makeeverything okay—not for Jesse, and not for Jesse’s kids.

“And that’s half-time,” Bob said, slapping his knees.

Christopher’s throat went tight. During the game, it wasimportant to stay close and quiet, but at half-time the opposite rules tookeffect. The best way to avoid attention was to find a legitimate reason toleave the scene, at least for a little while. And, by the sound and smell ofthings from the kitchen, dinner didn’t seem likely to save the day.

“I’m going to stretch my legs,” Christopher said, noddingtoward the hallway leading to the back door and the yard. “It was a long drivedown.”

“You only just sat down,” Bob said, impatiently.

“Gotta use the legs God gave ya,” Joe said, looking over atChristopher and winking. “Tell you what, Christopher, I’ll join you.” Joeheaved his gym-muscled body up from the sofa. “Get some exercise in before thatmeal comes down the pike.”

Bob waved them off and got up himself to check things in thekitchen. Christopher suspected a mid-cooking prayer might happen, and helaughed under his breath that Jackie would be forced to endure it. Probablysomething like,“Oh, Lord, we know that Jackie has burnedpies in the past, but we pray you give her sense to pull them out of the oventoday well in advance of ruination!”

In the backyard, Joe beckoned him toward the shed by thefence line where Bob kept his lawn mower and less-expensive tools.

“Want to see something that will turn your day right around?”Joe asked, pushing open the shed door.

“You’ve got the power to do that?”

“For the love of God, yes.” Joe reached into the darkness ofthe shed, shoved aside an empty gas tank, and pulled out a bottle of SouthernComfort. “Never underestimate me, Christopher.”

“Bob know that’s there?”