American Honey

“Tessa,” he bellows with his spatula held high. “I almost forgot what you looked like.”

“Not you too,” I fire back.

“We’ve missed you, but are super happy for you.”

“I’m so happy for you two,” I say finally wrapping my arms around his chest.

“We are super happy and passed the scary part. You know being a doctor is hell when your wife is pregnant.”

“I bet,” I say, sitting down.

“How’s life, kid?”

“Perfect,” I whisper.

“Well, don’t sound so sure about that.”

“You know I’m just waiting for the other shoe to drop,” I reply.

Will takes a seat next to me on the stone bench. “You have to quit thinking like that, kiddo. Just live life.”

“I’m trying.”

“Is the food done yet?” Tommie yells.

We all make our way to the table, dish up our food and settle in. Rocky comes bounding up to Finn and takes his faithful seat at his feet. I laugh remembering the day the poor thing got neutered and send up a silent prayer thanking God Kara never took him away from Finn.

“So, does anyone have any funny stories?” Will asks.

“I do,” Finn pipes up.

“Let’s hear it,” Tommie says.

“Don’t you dare,” I squeal.

“Well, Tess and I have developed a bad habit of going skinny dipping after dark. The first night I lost my boxers in the pond. The next morning Rocky and Granddaddy had them sitting on the porch with them. Tessa turned around squealing to my room when she spotted them and Granddaddy just smiled.”

The whole table roars at the story, and I even find myself laughing at the memory.

“To many more memories as a family,” I say, raising my bottle of water.

“To the baby,” Will says.

“To us,” Wes adds.

We all clink glasses and bottles and say cheers.

Chapter 10

Walk Me Down

Finn is working late tonight. He texted me earlier and told me to meet him at the fair. I bought this dress special for tonight. Scarlett and I found it at a flea market. It’s a white lacy summer dress with no straps and is very short. I go all out tonight with my hair and makeup. The old Tessa smiles back to me in the mirror.

“All because of Finn,” I whisper to my reflection.

I’ve made my choice. I’m staying with Finn and making my roots here with him. I can’t wait to tell him everything tonight under the glow of the carnival lights and in front of everyone. Not even Kara can ruin our night.

A knock at the door catches my attention. I’m the only one home as Will and Tommie are running a food booth at the fair, and Scarlett is serving drinks at the fair with Wes. So, this means it can only be one person, Finn.