Sweet Nothing(54)

I kissed her knuckles and started the engine, pulling out of the drive and onto the road. “We should stop by Dad’s.”

“Is he close?” Avery asked.

I breathed out a laugh. “Just down the road.”

She smiled, and I made a detour to my father’s home. I hadn’t let him know I was coming. Part of me had been afraid that after Avery met my mom, she’d want to go home.

When I pulled off the main road onto the dirt path leading to his trailer, I felt like I had been gone too long. I grabbed Avery’s hand and squeezed.

“You look happy,” she observed with a surprised grin. “Thinking about dinner?”

I parked my car next to my dad’s flat-black Impala and turned off the engine. “But you’re getting ready to meet the best damn cook this side of the Mason-Dixon.”

My father stepped out onto his porch as we exited the vehicle, his grin widening as he recognized who had come to see him.

“My boy,” he called out proudly as he hurried toward me with open arms. I grunted as he pulled me in for a bear hug that knocked the air from my lungs.

“And who is this?” he asked as he pulled back from our embrace.

“Dad, this is Avery. Avery, this is Silas, my father.”

“Wow,” she said. “The resemblance is incredible.”

“Your name is Avery?” Dad asked, fighting a laugh. “You’ve got to be shittin’ me.”

“God has a sense of humor,” I said.

“He sure does. That’s how you got this ugly mug,” he shot back, winking at Avery.

The worry in her eyes had all but disappeared, and she seemed more like the girl I’d fallen in love with.

“We don’t look that much alike,” I said. “My hair isn’t gray.” I laughed as my father hit me lightly on the chest with the back of his hand.

“Watch it, boy. I can still kick your ass,” my father warned. He grabbed Avery in a playful hug, lifting her from the ground as she squealed.

“You wish, old man.”

With Avery’s feet firmly planted back on the grass, we fell silent as he took us in.

“It’s been too long, Josh.”

“I know.” I nodded in agreement as I looked over his old Impala.

“But I see you’ve been taking care of Mabeline.” He nodded his chin toward my car. “I must have taught you somethin’ right.”

“Avery, if he’s half as good to you as he is to that car, you’re one lucky lady.”

She looped her arm in mine and snuggled against my side, and I felt a little taller, seeing her so happy, and maybe even a little relieved to be around my dad.

“He’s a good man. He works hard. I’m very lucky. You should be very proud.”

“I am.” Dad’s smile wrinkled the skin around his eyes. “Did Josh ever tell you about the time he grabbed the neighbor’s horse fence and pissed himself?”

“We gotta get back to Mom’s,” I said, rubbing my hand roughly over my hair.

Avery struggled to keep a straight face.

“You’ll be back before you leave?” His question was more of a warning. I nodded, letting him pull me in for another hug.

Avery spoke up as he released me and embraced her. “I will make sure of it.”

“All right, old man. That’s enough. Let my girl go.”

Dad stepped back as he looked us over, nodding approvingly.

“You did good, son. You did real good.”

“Thanks, Dad, but I already knew that,” I said with a grin. I hooked my arm around Avery’s shoulders and walked with her back to the car.





After stuffing ourselves with sashimi, teriyaki chicken, and chicken fried rice around Mother’s kitchen table, Avery went into my old bedroom to take a quick shower.

Mom was stumbling around the kitchen while Avery dressed for bed. Avery groaned from the bathroom, and I knocked on the door.

“Everything okay?”

“Fine!” she said with the chipper voice she only seemed to have around my mom.

I joined Mom in the kitchen, watching her pour herself another drink.

“Hey. Why don’t you ease up since Avery’s here,” I chided.

“Mind your business,” she grumbled.

Avery appeared, forcing a smile. She waved me away when she saw the concern on my face.

“You look a little green, young lady,” Mother said, talking with her glass of bourbon.

“Fine,” Avery said, sitting at the table. “I feel fine.”

“Well, you don’t look it,” Mom snapped.

“Jesus Christ, Mom. C’mon.”

Avery shook her head, silently asking me to stand down.

“How was the drive down?” Mom asked. “Besides the constant bathroom breaks, of course,” she said, eyeing me.

“Fine,” Avery said, pressing her lips together. A thin sheen of sweat formed on her skin. She swallowed.

“Baby,” I said, reaching across the table.

“I’m f—” Before she could finish, Avery covered her mouth and ran down the hall to my room. Sounds of her heaving traveled to the kitchen, and Mom shot me a smug look.

I chased after my girlfriend, stopping in the bathroom doorway. The mirror was still fogged from her shower.