Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33692 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 135(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
But I can’t deny that I miss my son. For all his faults, I love the kid. He’s my son, how could I not? It’s been more than a month though since our last meeting in his apartment that night. I’ve reached out a couple of times, sending him a text or leaving him a message, but I haven’t gotten anything back from him. He’s as good at holding a grudge as I am. Cassie thinks I just need to give him some space and that he’ll come around, eventually. I’m not so optimistic, but there’s really nothing I can do anyway except learn to heal and ignore that hole in my heart.
“The boys at Georgie’s table would like one last round,” Cassie says as she steps to the bar.
“Of course, they would.”
I gaze at her as I pour the night’s last pint for George. Although Zane has left a hole in my heart, Cassie is helping to fill it. Every day I have with her is special, and everything I learn about her only makes me want to learn more. She makes me act like a giddy goddamn teenager. And I have never been giddy. Not even as a teenager. But it’s all just part and parcel of the cornucopia of emotions this girl has made me experience.
I finish pouring out the drinks, and as I set them down on her tray, the bells over the door tinkle as it opens.
“We’re closing up,” I call out.
“Cash,” Cassie says, her voice carrying a note of caution.
I raise my gaze to the door and pause as Zane steps through. He’s got an inscrutable look on his face and seems edgy, like a rabbit ready to bolt at the merest whiff of danger in the wind. He clears his throat and runs a hand through his hair, and I’m reminded again of just how much he looks like me. How many of his mannerisms are the same as mine. And knowing him as well as I know myself, I can see that he’s nervous.
As he crosses the bar, Cassie shoots me an uneasy look. I give her a nod, silently telling her things will be okay. She picks up her tray and bustles off, but I can see her shooting furtive glances back at me. Zane steps to the bar and looks down, unable to meet my eyes for a long moment. The air between us is pregnant with expectation, and I can practically smell the fear wafting off my son. It’s clear that being here isn’t easy for him.
“Hey, have a seat,” I say just to break the ice. “Get you a beer?”
“Aren’t you closing up?”
“I know the owner. He’ll be fine with one more beer.”
A wan smile touches his lips. “Yeah. A beer would be great. Thanks.”
I pour him out a pint and pour one out for myself as well. I set the glass down in front of him and lean on the bar across from him. We both remain quiet as we sip our beers. Zane’s tone and demeanor are markedly different from the last time we spoke, and it only fuels my curiosity. More than that, it ignites a small spark of hope inside me that maybe we can repair things between us after all. It’s a weak and guttering flame, but it’s more than I had an hour ago.
Cassie busies herself with some work on the other side of the bar and is giving us a wide berth. But she’s stealing glances at us, and I can see the look of concern on her face. Unlike the last time we spoke, Zane has cleaned himself up. He’s wearing clean clothes, his hair is cut short and neatly styled, he’s freshly shaven, and his skin doesn’t have the greasy, pale pallor it did the last time I saw him. He looks good. Healthy.
“It’s been a little while,” I say.
He nods. “Yeah.”
“How have you been?”
He shrugs. “Fine.”
“What have you been up to?”
“Got back into my culinary classes,” he replies. “I’m going to finish out my schooling.”
“That’s good, Zane. Good for you.”
“Yeah,” he says, his voice gaining a little more confidence. “After that, I’m hoping to hook onto a successful restaurant. Start as a sous chef and work my way up. I’m hoping that with time and experience, I’ll be an executive chef somewhere. After that, I want to open up my own spot. It’ll take some time and effort, but that’s the plan.”
“That sounds like a solid plan. I’m proud of you.”
“Yeah, thanks.”
He falls silent, and we sip our beers again. Cassie shoots me a curious, somewhat worried look, and I subtly shake my head, telling her that everything is fine. I think it is, anyway. I don’t know why Zane really came here tonight, but I’m pretty sure it’s about more than his plans for the future. I’m not going to force the issue, though. I’m going to let this play out, and he’ll get around to talking to me about why he’s here when he’s ready. It just seems like he’s working up the nerve to do it.