Absolution(44)

Jack chuckled, blushing slightly.

“I might slip that little anecdote about her ass into my best man speech, too.”

“Shhh – keep your voice down!”

Callum feigned horror, then he jumped up and stood on the path in front of Jack, clearing his throat.

“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us here today. As some of you may know,” he indicated an imaginary crowd with a wave of his hand, “the groom and I have known each other pretty much forever.”

“For God’s sake, keep your voice down!”

“Settle down, grandpa, she can’t hear us,” Callum grinned, climbing the steps and sitting down next to him again. “What do you think she’ll do, when you ask her? Scream? Cry? Jump you, right then and there? Is there such a thing as post-proposal sex?”

Jack shook his head, a smile playing on his lips. “God only knows.”

“I bet there is. In fact, I’ll bet my van on it.”

“That’s not much of a bet – you can’t even drive that piece of crap yet.”

“Not far off it, though. Just one more paycheck and she’ll be good to go. Thanks for the lift tonight, by the way. I feel like I’m cramping your style though – are you sure it’s okay to come with you guys? I can get a lift with Mitch –“

“No, it’s fine. You can help take my mind off it till we get home.”

“So what are you gonna say? Have you got a little speech worked out in your head or what?”

Jack scratched his chin. “Yeah, kinda. I think. I don’t know. I’m going to drop you off first, then probably take her down by the river.”

Callum nodded. “Nice. Classy. Take her back to the place you took her on your first date.”

“First date was to the prom – first real date, anyway.”

“Whatever. Chicks dig that romantic shit,” he grinned. “You gonna do the whole ‘get down on one knee’ thing too?”

“Dude, you’re getting into this way too much.”

“What can I say? Cheap thrills.”

Jack got up off the step and started pacing nervously, shaking his hands out. He bounced up and down on the balls of his feet a couple of times. “I’ll be your best man when you tie the knot, so you better watch it with your damn speech – karma’s a bitch.”

“I’m not worried.”

“Well, you should be. I’ve got a long memory.”

“You’re off the hook. I’m never getting married.”

“What?” Jack stared at him incredulously. “Where did that come from?”

“I don’t know. Just can’t see myself doing it, that’s all.”

“You’re not your father.”

Callum shrugged casually but Jack decided to leave it for now. The timing was all wrong. Callum would need a few beers under his belt before they broached that subject again.

“Do you and Jane ever talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“Why not?”

“I don’t think she’s into the whole marriage idea either.”

“In general?”

Callum studied his shoes. “I don’t know. Yeah. It’s complicated.”

Ally’s voice rang out from inside the house. “I can’t find my coat! Jack!”

“Hanging on the hook by the back door!” Jack yelled back, rolling his eyes. “Jesus – I’m in for lifetime of telling her where her shit is, aren’t I?” he mumbled under his breath. “Hurry up!” he yelled. “I’m going gray out here!”

“Yeah, yeah!” she yelled back. “Not my fault you got faulty genes!” Then, more quietly, “Sorry Tom.”

Jack heard his father chuckling on the other side of the wall.

Callum grinned up at him, squinting into the sun. “Geez, grandma was feisty too, back in the day. I’ll make sure I include this in the fiftieth anniversary speech. Let me get my notebook – you got a pen?”

“Dude – final warning.”



Ally stood in her bedroom, surveying herself in the full-length mirror. Her most comfortable jeans concealed her braces. Tonight, for reasons she didn’t dare explore, this was important. She had pulled her freshly rinsed hair up into a high ponytail and changed into her favourite t-shirt.