“Well done, sir,” I said imitating a movie, pretend clapping. He had remembered.
“I like to try to remember the little things. Sometimes I don't always though.”
“Effort is always huge. Isn't that what it is all about?”
“Yep. It sure is.”
He had some country music playing in the background lightly.
After finishing more than half a plate, I was nearing capacity. I began rocking in my chair, leaning back giving my body some breathing time. “So good. You picked a perfect meal tonight.”
“Perfect company.”
“Do you want another glass of wine?”
“Maybe pour me a third of one.”
I leaned back in the chair, rocking a bit more, observing the land around us. The crickets were out chirping.
“You want to go in? It is getting a little chilly out here.”
I shook my head. He stood up and took my hand and led me in.
I sat on his brown leather couch with my feet under me.
He had a throw blanket on his chair in the corner that he reached for. Wyatt placed it on me, not thinking twice about it, as if he had done it a million times before.
“Thank you. How did you know?”
“I don’t know. Just a feeling, I guess.”
I smiled, pleased with his kindness.
“I went home this last weekend.” He leaned back on his couch getting comfortable, following my lead. He placed his hand on my knee, lightly rubbing over it just to touch me, although the blanket was over it.
“How did that go? Houston? I’ve only been a few times. A little too big for my taste.”
“I grew up there. Dad’s office was in the city. Anyway, my mother asked me if I could go and ride horses with her. It’s something we had always done together.”
“That’s nice. I love to ride horses but haven't gotten to do it a lot in my life.”
“I’ll have to take you sometime.”
I smiled and loved the thought of that. I wasn't good though, and I wasn't sure I wanted him to see me embarrass myself.
“With my aunt getting sick, my mom’s sister, she has decided she doesn't want to waste any more of her life. She is getting a divorce from my dad. And the most ironic thing is, she is so happy. In fact, I have never seen her so happy.”
“Really? Good for her. More marriages are unhappy than happy. I for sure know that after the work I am in.”
“I spent some time riding with her and surprisingly I had a great time. I really didn't think I would see the day. I mean, I love my mother, but she hasn't ever been hands-on. She gave me some great advice though.”
“You should be thankful you had her at all.” I paused. “My mom died during childbirth with me, as you know. I never got to meet her. The only things I have from her are pictures, an old pair of boots, stories from my dad and my grammy. You can guess which ones are better stories…”
“I can’t imagine. But your grandmother stepped up as a mother.”
“Oh, she did. And she was great, a real blessing. But it isn't the same. She was already over fifty, and she and my grandpa had already dealt with a lot with my mom and dad. My dad has never been a winner.”
“So y'all were never close?”
I took a long sip of wine. That was for another night.
“Nah, he thinks I am to blame for my mother dying. A baby…he has never gotten past it. He had tried a few times when I was young, but he just can’t.”
“So you took care of him?”
“Sometimes. I have more as an adult. Many months he can’t make his bills so I have tried to help. It upsets my Grammy horribly that I care for him, when all he has done is desert me.”
“I can see that. She sees her daughter’s side, and then her granddaughter’s side.”
“Exactly.” I smiled.
“Not to be devil’s advocate here, but do you think your father is such a bad dad because he really just can’t get over your mother? Maybe she was the love of his life?”
“That’s what he says…”
“I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t think there is ever an excuse for a man to be a bad father. Lord knows my father wasn’t Dad of the Year, and that is putting it mildly, but losing the love of your life and then having a baby. I just can’t imagine.” He seemed lost in thought until I spoke.
“What advice did your mother give you? I don't see you being the kind of man who asks for it.”
“It’s funny you say that, because I don't usually. But I had to at least hear her out. I told her about you and how I am feeling. She says grab on and don't let go. She also talked about my dad and her marriage a little. Told me never to take for granted what I feel for you. To take the chance and not be a chickenshit.”
“Sounds like some good advice. Speaking of which, I wanted to talk to you about what I said last night on the phone. I didn’t mean the joke…”
“It just caught me by surprise. I’ve had these feelings for you that I frankly don't know how to deal with, as pathetic as that sounds as a grown man.”
“How so?” I asked, wanting to hear more. Not to mention I loved the way his eyes were looking at me, and the way his hand was rubbing my knee softly.
“I’ve dated plenty of women, not that I am that type of guy, but I have been out there. I’ve fallen in love a few times. I’m at a time in my life when I wasn't looking for it. I was fine alone. I knew I was missing something, but I was okay with that until it was the right time, right person. And then you showed up. At a dance hall when I was meeting my brother of all times. The right place at the
