Protecting Her(96)

“It’s up to you.”

“Do you think it’s safe?”

“I’ve flown on private planes my whole life and never had a problem.”

She sighs. “Then I guess I’ll do it. I really want to get home.”

“I’ll call him back and let him know. Garret and I will drive up to Hartford to pick you up. We’ll stop somewhere for dinner on the way home.”

“We should go to that cute little diner Garret likes so much. The one that’s in a train car that we take him to on his birthday. He’s been so sad with us gone the past couple days. This would cheer him up.”

I smile. “Having us home will cheer him up, but yes, we can take him there.” An announcement blares above me, telling me it’s time to board. “I have to go. The plane is boarding. I’ll see you soon. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

We hang up and I board the plane. During the flight, I prepare for my meeting. When we land, I get in my car and drive straight to the office. I call my mother quick to tell her I’ll be home early and that she can go home when I get there.

The meeting goes well. I convince the men from London to sign a multiyear contract with us. It puts me in a good mood that gets even better when I get home and see Garret greeting me at the door. I’ve missed him. I know I wasn’t gone long, but I still missed him.

“Dad!” He hugs me, a big smile on his face.

“Did you have a good day?”

“Yes.” He pulls me inside the house. “And now I don’t have school for almost a whole week!”

“Hello, Pearce.” My mother comes down the stairs with her suitcase.

“Hello, Mother.” I give her a shoulder hug. “Thank you again for staying with Garret.”

“We had a good time.” She smiles at him. “Goodbye, Garret.”

“Bye, Grandmother.” He gives her a hug. She’s still not comfortable with hugs, but she doesn’t mind them when they’re from her grandson. She hugs him back, then lets him go and he comes back over to stand next to me.

“How’s Father doing?” I ask her.

“I talked to him an hour ago. It sounds like he’s starting to feel better, but I need to get home to check on him.”

I open the door for her. “We’ll see you on Thursday.”

“Yes. See you then.”

She leaves and I shut the door and turn back to Garret. “I have a surprise for you.” I take him over to the couch.

“What?” he asks excitedly.

“Your mother’s taking an earlier flight home. She’ll be here at six, but she’s landing in Hartford so we have to drive up there and get her. And on the way home, we’re taking you to that train car diner you like so much. We’re going to have dinner there.”

“Yes!” He jumps up and pumps his fist in the air. “Can I get a boxcar sundae?”

That’s his favorite item on the menu. It’s also his mother’s favorite. It’s a huge sundae that has crushed cookies layered with ice cream. It’s so big that it takes the three of us to eat it all.

I smile. “Yes. We’ll be sure to order the sundae. We’ll split one, like we always do.”

“When are we leaving?”

I check my watch. “Not just yet. A little after five.”

The doorbell rings. I get up to answer it. I open the door and see the little boy from down the street. He’s nine.

“Hi, Mr. Kensington,” he says, looking up at me. He has curly brown hair and his face is full of freckles. “Can Garret come out and play?”

Garret appears next to me. “Hey, Sam.”

“Hey. Do you want to play football?”

“Garret and I have to leave soon,” I tell him. “But you could toss the ball around in the back yard for a few minutes.”

“Come on, Sam.” Garret motions him to come inside and they run to the kitchen and out the sliding door to the back yard.

I take my suitcase upstairs and unpack everything. I toss the clothes in the hamper, then zip up the suitcase and set it by the door to take downstairs. I change out of my suit, putting on jeans and button-up shirt. I go in the bathroom and wash my face and put on some cologne. I consider shaving, but then decide to leave the stubble on my face because Rachel likes it.

I was just with her this morning, but I already miss her. The house just isn’t the same when she’s not here. Now I understand why Garret was so upset when we left. It doesn’t feel right when we’re not all together as a family.