A Father's Name(43)
They found a small grassy spot and spread Tucker’s red and black checked blanket. Eating out with everyone had tired Jace to the point he practically collapsed as soon as they’d settled.
It was a warm July night, filled with the hustle and murmurs of the crowd that was gathering. Tyler wasn’t saying much. As a matter of fact, he hadn’t said much all night, so they sat in silence waiting for the fireworks. The city was launching them from a barge in the middle of the bay. They had the perfect view of the water. From high on the bluff, Tucker relaxed as the humid summer evening turned darker, the city below them lit up and boat lights bobbed on the water.
She forgot about her father’s lecture and her friends’ concerns. She forgot about paperwork and the new van she was supposed to paint a mural on. She forgot it all as she listened to the other people on the bluff murmur their conversations, and the occasional pop of someone’s home fireworks.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Tyler finally said.
“My thoughts?” She wasn’t sure she’d been actively thinking about much of anything. “My mind has been sort of quiet, but if I had to share a thought, I’d say I think it’s beautiful out here. Whedon is so close to Erie and the lake, but I get so busy I don’t take the time to come enjoy it very often. I’m really glad I came tonight. Thanks for asking. It’s been a perfect evening.”
“I can’t believe you picked up a woman for North.”
How could she have missed the way North had stared at their waitress? “Jen was cute, and asking when she got off work and if she was going to see the fireworks wasn’t much of a set up on my part. North was the one that suggested they meet up.”
“You started it.” Tyler couldn’t hide his amusement.
“Maybe I should reconsider my career choice and become a matchmaker?”
“I think there would be a lot of car and motorcycle buffs who’d hate it if you did.” He paused. “By the way, I love the T-shirt. It’s not exactly car or motorcycle oriented like most of your collection.”
She looked down at her T-shirt that read The Big Bang. It had fireworks exploding from a central point. “I thought it was appropriate for the day. And I have other styles of T-shirts, although most are related to cars and motorcycles. Customers pick them up for me. I swear, I think Lou has my size posted somewhere around the garage as a hint. But I have other interests. Don’t tell North, but I’m a closet science geek who happens to really love science fiction, too. It’s a closely guarded secret.”
“Why don’t you tell him? When he noticed your shirt and started talking about The Big Bang Theory show, you teased him.”
“You bet I did. You’ve seen the way Lou, Joe and Pops pick on North. You think I want to risk my secret getting out? I’d never admit I love that show, and that I frequently understand their geeky references before they explain the joke to the non-geek masses.” It was one of the few shows she DVR’d.
Tyler laughed. “So, basically what you’re admitting is that you throw North under the bus?”
“Nope, I throw him under the UFO.” Tucker knew it was a stupid joke, but Tyler laughed even harder and she joined in. She was relieved that they seemed back to normal. “Ha, I look like a closet sci fi geek, and you look like you’re a preppy, just like when we first met. You’re all khaki and polo shirty. Sunglasses propped just so on your perfect hair.”
SITTING HERE ON THE bluff, overlooking Lake Erie with a beautiful woman and a sleeping baby, Tyler had forgotten George Tucker’s warning until Angelina’s reminder of who he had been, which led to him thinking about who he was now
Tyler knew Angelina was kidding, but he couldn’t help frowning at the reminder of when they’d first met. Back then, he’d thought he had everything he wanted. The good job. The suits. Driving an Audi S5.
Before.
“Oh, Tyler, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to remind you…” Angelina left the sentence hanging there between them.
“Finish the thought, Angel. You didn’t mean to remind me that I threw that life away? That I lost everything that I was back then? That I’m a convicted criminal?” Even if he could go back in time and do things differently, he wouldn’t. He couldn’t. Although knowing that he did what he did for a good and worthy reason didn’t make his fall from grace any easier to handle.
He’d always thought he’d build a different, better life for himself than his father had. And yet, here he was—practically following in his father’s footsteps. Working in a garage, a kid to take care of, and a rap sheet.