“Son?”
Whirling around, I see my dad wearing a robe over what is probably a shirt and underwear.
“What are you doing up?” I ask.
“This is my house. I can be up whenever I want to. What are you doing up?”
“This is my house too,” I point out.
“Yeah, yeah,” he says, pulling out a chair at the table. “Answer my question, son.”
After I take a seat at the table with him, I tell him. Mom was always my go-to parent, but Pops and I were just as close. Momma made sure we were, especially after we found out she was sick.
“Presley and I just got into an argument is all.”
“That was obvious. Go ahead and spill, son. I’d like to go back to sleep at some point.” He tries and fails to hide his smirk. Crazy old man.
“Hey, I’m not stopping you.”
“Indirectly, yes you are.”
“Fine. We ran into Allie. You remember her, right?”
“Mhm. Haven’t I already told you that my memory is fine?”
I chuckle. “Right. Well, I was joking with Presley about being jealous and then it all just blew out of proportion. Presley kept asking questions, so I thought if I asked her, she would leave it alone, you know? Instead, she answered like it didn’t even matter that the guy she was talking about is still friends with her! I knew something was up with him because he’s a lot smaller than me and I couldn’t even intimidate the guy, even mad.
“So when I found that out, I got pissed, uh mad,” I correct. “I was fed up and told her I was done talking about it, so we went to find you. I even faked sleeping so I wouldn’t have to talk about it with her yet. All of it just seems messed up and I can’t make up my mind about it.”
Pops shakes his head. “Son, I wish you took after your mother in situations like this, but you’re more like me. When you get angry, you hold on to it for too long and you should know all that does is cause problems. You are the type of person that absolutely must talk about it to settle things, because if not, you won’t let it go. So tomorrow, you get your act together, talk to that girl, and get over it. Understand?”
“Yes, sir. Thanks, Pops.”
He stands and pats my shoulder. “You’re welcome, son. Don’t make me get out of bed before morning again.” He grins.
Laughing, I say, “No promises.” After I go back to my room and climb into bed, Smarty rolls over to snuggle up to me. An idea forms in order for me to follow Pops’ advice as I hold Presley to me, loving the simple fact that she’s here with me.
“Levi, love, mmm,” she mumbles incoherently.
“Forever yours,” I whisper into her hair before falling asleep.
~
Breakfast with my father goes smoothly, great even. “Okay, Smarty. Are you ready?”
“For what?” she asks, turning in her chair to look at me as I put the last of the dishes in the sink.
“We’re going out for a little bit. Is there anything you need from my room?”
“My phone, but where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” I smile and kiss her temple as I walk past her. After I grab my keys, wallet, and both of our phones, I whisk Presley away to my vehicle. A couple of minutes pass and Presley sits up a little straighter in her seat.
“We’re going to your dad’s land?”
I nod and leave it at that. Once we arrive, I park the car, walk around to open the door for Smarty, and take her hand to lead her to the edge of the frozen pond.
“Wait a second. Please tell me we’re not going to skate on this?”