Page 31 of Reckoning

She gasped, her eyes suddenly alight with a joy he hadn’t seen in years. “Can we do that?”

“We not only can, but we already are. Tate has already made reservations for us online and got us tickets for the show. All we have to do is arrive. We are leaving the day after tomorrow before daylight. Call it an anniversary trip. Call it a second honeymoon.”

“What about Tate?” she said.

Abel rolled his eyes. “Woman…think what you just said. He’s been taking care of us for the better part of two years without even being asked. That boy is an old soul. He is the most honest, responsible man I have ever known. He’ll be fine, and he’s promised to take good care of the house and see to all that needs doing while we’re gone.”

Her smile grew, as did the tears welling in her eyes. “We may live in a hateful town, but the two best men in it are my husband and my son. The downside is that I don’t have a thing to wear to a place like that.”

Abel handed her the envelope Curly had given him. “Yes, you do. Curly gave me a bonus today and said to call it our anniversary present. There’s five hundred dollars in it. We’ll buy you whatever you need when we get to St. Louis.”

* * *

When Tate came home from work that evening, he knew when he opened the door that his dad had told her about the trip. The whole energy in the house was different. He could hear his mom in the kitchen, laughing, and both of them talking with animated voices.

He smiled. Mission accomplished.

Lilith heard his footsteps, wiped her hands on her apron, and met him with open arms. “You are the best son a woman could have. Thank you, a thousand times.”

“I didn’t do anything but help Dad get reservations. This is all him. We love you, Mama. So much. I fully expect you both to come back blushing.”

Lilith blinked, then poked a finger in his chest and laughed. “You are so bad.”

“Well, I know you didn’t find me in the cabbage patch, which is the story someone tried to sell me when I was little. And you two deserve a break from the bullshit in this place. Just hold onto the thought that I’ll graduate before Christmas. I expect you to start packing up your things during Christmas break so I can help. And you two need to tell everybody you’re coming home. You can put your stuff in storage and stay with your parents until this house sells, and you find your own place back in Tennessee.”

Lilith’s head was spinning. “How did you know we—”

He grinned and kissed the top of her head. “Mama…did you go and forget the unnatural child you gave birth to? That’s why I’ve been studying so many subjects, so I can graduate early. It’s also why I’m so tall. I’ve been trying to grow fast so you and Dad can leave sooner.”

She just laughed and hugged him, then in true Tate fashion, he shifted the subject to food.

“What kind of pie are you making, and is there anything here I can taste test before supper? I’m starving.”

“It’s those damn long legs,” Abel said, as he walked in the room. “Your mama can’t cook fast enough to fill them up.”

Lilith pointed at a plate on the counter covered in foil. “Consider that your own personal charcuterie plate.”

Tate’s eyes widened. “You are one awesome mother.”

“I know,” she said. “Now get. I can’t have two Bandy men in the kitchen with me at the same time. I’ll never get anything done.”

“Heard and obeyed,” Tate said, then scooped up the plate, got a cold bottle of pop from the fridge, and headed out the back door.

* * *

Two days later, Abel and Lilith left Star Ridge before daylight. The town was quiet. Streetlights were still on, and lights were just beginning to come on in the houses as Tate helped load up their luggage. He got goodbye hugs and kisses from both, then watched them driving away.

“Please God, protect them and let this be the best two days of their lives,” he said quietly, then went back inside to take a shower. At least he had his dad’s truck to drive today, so he wouldn’t be walking to work.

* * *

Tate arrived at work on time, greeted the two cashiers, and, as he passed the office, spoke to Andy.

“Morning, boss. Did that shipment from the warehouse come in yet?” he said.

Andy was surprised Tate remembered shipment dates. “Yes, it did. The meat boxes and produce are already in the cooler. Grab a dolly cart, load up some of the boxes, and start shelving the canned goods.”

“Yes, sir, on it!” Tate said, and headed to the break room to grab a work apron.