A Father's Name(77)

“Exactly.” She directed her attention to Mrs. Kovalski and Jace. “So, how’s she doing with him?”

“Great. And how is the new program working in the office?”

“Really good. Although if I have a problem with it, I’ll holler. I mean, you’re down the hall most of the day.” Just down the hall, in the main garage, but it felt like a million miles without their having to run back and forth, talking about Jace, trading off duties. “We should probably be going.”

“Thanks for bringing him over.”

“No problem. We’re leaving first thing tomorrow for Pittsburgh. I won’t be in the office at all, but Pops will check in and I’m sure you and Lou can handle anything else that comes up.”

“I’m sure we can.”

“Bart?” she called.

He sprinted over to them.

Tyler extended his hand as he said, “Thanks for all the help with Jace, Bart. Thanks for everything. You know if you ever need something, you only have to call.”

Bart shook Tyler’s hand, so grown up. “No problem. Jace and I are buddies, I can’t wait for him to get older. We’ll do lots of stuff together.” Bart smiled warmly. “I’ll see you soon. I’ve got a lot of body work to do on the Blazer.”

Tyler looked past Bart and caught Tucker’s eye as they shared a smile. Bart turned and walked toward the car.

“Bye, Tyler,” Tucker said softly as she followed her son.

“See you, Tyler,” Bart called as they pulled away.

Tucker glanced over her shoulder as they pulled onto the street.

“Are you really going to let him go, Mom?” Bart asked.

“Pardon?”

Bart concentrated on his driving, staring straight forward, not at her as he said, “I’ve noticed that he hasn’t been over this week. After spending the summer together, you’ve suddenly cooled things off. I’m not asking whose decision it was, but I’m going to say that you shouldn’t let him go. At least without a fight.”

Her son was much more observant than she’d have thought. “I’m not going to. I’m lulling him into a false sense of security. He thinks he’s won and that I’m letting him go because I realize I deserve better. What he doesn’t realize is I have no doubts about what I deserve. He doesn’t realize that he’s the best, and that’s what I’m going after. Once I get you to school, I’ll show him.”

“He’s not going to know what hit him,” Bart said, laughing. Then sobering up, he said, “Really, Mom, you should be happy. I want to say thank you.”

She patted the ancient car’s dashboard. “Yeah, it was a great surprise. I think it was a better surprise than the year I got you the mini bike.”

“It was, but really, I want to thank you for everything. I can’t imagine having a baby at my age. Jace did make me understand how difficult it must have been for you. Yet, despite your age, you were the best mom ever. All my friends always wanted to come to my house because you were so cool. I never once doubted you loved me or that you supported me. I…” He shrugged. “Before I leave for college, I wanted you to know that I know how hard you worked. That, and I love you.”

Tucker felt an uncharacteristic dampness gather under her eyes. “Oh, man, you’re going all mushy on me. Waxing nostalgic and all that,” she joked, then more seriously added, “but for the record, you’re welcome. Being a mother at such a young age wasn’t easy, but you were worth all the effort and every moment of it. You’re an amazing kid and you’re growing into an amazing man. I’m so proud of you.”

“Mom…”

She shook her head and waved her hand between them. “Enough of the mushy stuff. By my reckoning we won’t be required to go down this lane again until your graduation, then maybe at your wedding and… Well, milestones. We’ll make a date to be mushy during milestones, but the rest of the time, we’re just us.”

He laughed. “Deal.”

“So, drop me off at home and go have some fun on your last night here. Don’t forget, we’re out of here first thing in the morning, and you’ll be driving, too, so get in early enough that you can manage it.”

“I will.”

She stood outside the shop and watched Bart drive away. She thought about going into the house, but it would be too quiet and she wasn’t up for that. So, she let herself into the garage instead. She’d get some work done so that it didn’t pile up while she was gone.