Page 29 of You Can Make Me

“Are you all right?”

She shook her head and blew out a long breath. “My God, Dennis,” she whispered. “I know you tried to prepare me but…he’s so thin! And his poor mouth!” Her eyes, the identical color of Cooper’s, filled with tears, and she fanned her face to keep from crying. “I promised I wasn’t going to make a scene, but Dennis…”

I lightly patted her shoulder, and she turned into my chest and sobbed quietly. I held her loosely and sighed.

“I know. I know. I’m so sorry.”

”I don’t want to cry in front of him, but my God, my poor baby!”

“His mouth is much better, believe it or not,” I said quietly. “I’m trying to put the weight back on him, now that he’s able to eat with less pain. I’m going to buy some meal replacement drinks or protein shakes to supplement. He couldn’t suck them through a straw before?—”

She lifted her head and pegged me with an intense look.

“Thank you, Dennis. It’s been killing me, all of us, but you’ve been so good for my boy. I see the way you look at him, thecareful way you handle him and dote on him. I know he made the best decision. I don’t think I could have cared for him as well…not only because we butt heads. I think he would have been miserable at home.”

I chuckled. “He’s been miserable here, too. It hasn’t been a party, but I’ve spent many years as a training officer and before that, I was in charge of Marines. You learn a lot about when to push and when to step back and let them figure it out. He’s figuring it out, Mrs. Harris.”

“It’s Deb, Dennis. Please. We’re family. No matter what happens from here on out, you will always have a place in my heart for how you’ve cared for my son.”

She pushed up on her toes and kissed my cheek.

I had a twinge of sadness for my own mother. I missed her a lot. She’d been there for me when my first wife left me, and she was gone shortly after my second marriage dissolved. I was glad she hadn’t said she told me so, but there had been times, especially lately, when I’d wished for a warm hug and kiss on the cheek.

Knowing I had Deb Harris’s appreciation meant more than she’d probably ever realize.

“Let’s go check the grill. I’m more worried about Frank than Gene. Frank is used to his grill at home. We haven’t used this camping one in years, and I’m looking forward to that fish.”

I followed her outside, and she disappeared into the RV. Frank and Gene tipped their beer bottles toward me.

“How’d it go?” Gene asked in a low voice.

“Better than expected. Mrs. Harris is pretty upset.”

Frank stood a little taller and set his beer down. “I’ll go check on her. Gene, you’ve got the grill?”

“Yes, sir.”

Gene glanced at the front of my heather-gray t-shirt and tipped his chin. There was a damp spot, a couple of blond hairs and a dash of pink lipstick. “She cried?”

“It’s going to be a shock. Do your best, all right? Sam jumped right into conversation with him and didn’t even flinch, but Mrs. Harris…”

“Right. I knew from when we saw him in the hospital it would be rough.”

“He grew his beard out. I think it helps him not be so self-conscious about the main scar, but he had me take all the mirrors down. He asked me to help him trim it before he showered.”

“Mm-hmm. That’s the story you’re going with.”

I pushed Gene. “It’s true, dick. He’s never had a beard before.”

“And you have? Tell me, did you get your barber’s license when I wasn’t looking?”

I swore at him again, and he pulled me in for a side hug.

“I’m just catching up on fucking with you, D. I miss this.”

“Me, too.” I cleared my throat as the Harrises passed us and headed into the house. I tensed, thinking I should go in, but Gene squeezed my arm.

“Give them a minute. I talked to Frank. He’s solid. He’s real good with Cooper. Mom’s the heavy in that family.”