I say on a laugh, “That’s hilarious. You want this lemonade now or should I set it down?”
“No, give it,” he grins, rising up and wiping sweat from his forehead. “You look nice.”
“Showing a house today.” Handing him his glass, I explain, “Cora’s giving me bigger clients, Dad.”
“Yeah?” His eyebrows shoot up, and he hands me the glass to take to the table.
“Maybe she wants to retire and she’s testing me? I don’t know, but it’s very exciting. Why did you decide to build an extension onto the porch all of a sudden?”
Dropping to a squat, he eyes his handiwork. “Your mother and I want a hot tub.”
Leaning on the existing banister that will be torn out before the day ends, I tilt my head. “Hey, that’s not fair! Why didn’t you guys have one when we lived here? We wanted one and you know it!”
Dad gives a wolfish grin. “This isn’t for kids.”
On a grimace I step backward, waving the image away. “Gross. Okay, stop right there. I get it. Don’t need to know more.”
He laughs, his desired effect achieved. “Just because we’re older doesn’t mean we’re dead.”
“I’m glad you still have that kind of…drive. I just don’t want to know about it.” Dad chuckles and picks up his hammer as I ask, “Did you make sandwiches for you guys?”
“Let Jeremy fend for himself,” he mutters.
“But what about you?”
Warm brown eyes, same color as mine, glance up from under his sweaty brow. “You wanna make us some?”
“Well I’m not going to let you starve. I know you—it’ll be hours from now and you’ll be hungry, dehydrated, and you won’t stop working until you get grouchy. I’ll be right back. Where’s Mom today?”
“Woman’s Group has a fundraiser coming up and she’s with the planning committee. In other words, she’s drinking mimosas with a bunch of chicks.”
Shaking my head I give him a lopsided smile and disappear into the house. By the time I’ve sliced in half and piled high, five roast beef and cheddar cheese sandwiches, Uncle Jeremy is walking in, taking off his shoes as Dad makes everyone do.
“Lookie here,” he bellows, reaching for food. “Arrived just in time. Didn’t know you were gonna be here, Emm. But boy am I glad to see you now!”
“I bet,” I laugh, watching him shove his mouth full. We walk out together and I explain, “I dropped by since I was in the neighborhood and had some extra time before a showing.”
I can barely understand him as he mumbles through chewing, “Working today? That why you’re dressed up?”
Glancing down to a flattering blue dress I just bought, I hide a rising blush with a shrug and a lie. “This is one of my normal work outfits.”
Not knowing any differently he chomps away, talking with his mouth full. “You look great. I’m sure you’ll impress them.” Upon sight of Dad and how much he’s completed with the extension, Jeremy’s frown is instantaneous. “Hey, what the hell, am I late? I thought we said eleven! I’m sorry, I should have checked to make sure that was right. Dammit, how’d I get that twisted in my head?” He looks at his watch and Dad and I crack up. Flicking confused glances between us, Jeremy relaxes. “Oh you piece of shit, Jake. You really did all this to make me feel like an asshole?”
“Yeah, for all of two seconds, but it was worth it. Now you’ll work extra hard to catch up.”
“Think again,” Jeremy smirks, grabbing Dad’s glass from the table. “This your lemonade, Jake?”
“Hey!”
He downs it. “Ah, that’s good. Nice and cold.”
“Go get me some more you thief!”
Jeremy admires the empty glass. “So delicious, ice all melted just right so the tartness is softened just enough, you know what I mean?”
“Emma!”
Laughing I retrieve Dad’s glass. “I’ll get you some too, Uncle Jeremy. Now get to work!”
“Yes, Sergeant! Jeez, you gonna let her talk to me like that, Jake? What about respect for your elders?”
As I disappear inside I hear their voices carrying over the distance as Dad informs his younger brother, “This is her house more than it is yours. She’s boss. Here’s my toolbox. I’m going to rest now.”
“You fuckin’ liar,” Jeremy laughs. “I can just picture you sitting back eating bon-bons while I build your damn love tub all on my own.”
My hand pauses on the refrigerator door at those words.
Knowing Dad and Uncle Jeremy won’t come up for air unless forced to, I exchange the glass for two larger ones, and put the lemonade in a cooler, filling it with all the ice we have. My eyes are dead though, mind heavy. As I take two trips to carry it all outside, Dad sees my face.
“What’s up kiddo?”
“Nothing,” I smile. “Have to go to work soon.”
He sits back on his heels, hands resting on his thighs. “You can’t lie to me, Baby Love. I know you better than that.”
Jeremy, squatting by Dad, adjusts his weight to see me better.
With both of them scrutinizing me I shrug, “I just hope I have what you and mom have, one day.”
Dad chuckles dismissively, “I like you single, thank you very much.”
Jeremy makes a face like he understands. “The day Zoe brings a guy home to meet me I will probably toss him out the door.”
My dad and his brother find this very funny, but as I escape over to the plate of sandwiches I find my appetite has left me. My fingers float away from the platter, and soon I find myself sitting on one of our weathered patio chairs.
Distracted with my thoughts, I try to help him understand, “Hannah moved out, Dad. I live alone. I’ve been spending more time with my younger cousins, because Ethan has Charlie. Ben doesn’t live in town and it feels like
