Page 41 of Carson

“Luna,” I say, cracking open my can.

“Luna. Well, that’s a pretty name if I ever heard one.”

He taps his can to mine just like we’ve done my entire life. But it was juice or chocolate milk back in the day.

“So the desire to cross the pond was inspired by Miss Luna?”

“It is a place I think she’d like to visit. Her mother traveled there once and she has her journal from the trip.”

My grandfather nods. “You know your grandmother has always wanted to go to Ireland. Maybe I should take her.”

“You should,” I say, getting excited on her behalf. “But promise I get to be there to see her face when she finds out she’s going. If I do go, maybe we can go together.”

“When were you thinking?” he asks, and it doesn’t surprise me one bit he’s interested. He loves Grandma Maggie. He would give her anything she wanted.

“Tonight, tomorrow morning, I don’t know, just as soon as I can book it.”

My grandfather’s eyebrows rise. “Whoa there, son. Us old people need a little more time to plan such a big trip.”

My face falls. “Oh.”

“But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t go. Can’t you book tickets from that fancy little phone of yours? What are you waiting for?”

“You really think I should do it?”

He takes a slow sip of beer as he looks out across the lake. “I know it don’t seem like it, Carson, but life goes fast. The only way to combat that is to not waste a damn moment.”

“But what if I’m wrong about her?”

Grandpa is a no-bullshit type of guy, unless he’s intending to, which I know isn’t now. He’s serious. He gets this look in his eye when he’s thinking about his first wife, my biological grandma who passed away.

“Then you’re wrong, but you’ll have a hell of a good story.”

“What if it’s a bad one?”

“Doesn’t matter. It’s either a lesson or a blessing. Can’t be anything else.”

I slouch down in the chair, resting my head against the back to look up at the sky.

He sighs. “Do you get a good feeling in your heart when you’re with her?”

“Yeah.”

“Now, I said your heart, no other body part.”

It makes me chuckle. “All parts feel great around her, but taking them out of consideration, yeah. Being with her feels crazy good.”

“If you’re willing to accept the pain that comes with that, then there is really no risk at all. Only the reward of loving a good woman.” He holds his hand out to offer the flip side. “Or if you’re wrong, then it will be a good lesson, won’t it?”

“So, I’m going to Ireland?”

He laughs. “You already knew you were going there before you came down here.”

“I’m not sure I did.”

His gaze holds mine. “Well, I appreciate you still seeking advice from me. It makes my heart feel good.” He taps a fist against his chest.

That’s another thing great loss will teach you—to let the people around you know how you feel about them. Grandpa loves hard. So does my dad. That’s how I want to be.