“You should be off doing your own thing, settling down and getting married, not here tied to your old life,” he said at last.
“I’m sticking around for a while. I’ll try to back off on making you eat right and stuff, but you have to hold up your end and prove you can take care of yourself.”
“Just for a while. I don’t mean to live my life with you hovering over me,” he said.
“Then don’t give me a reason to hover,” I said.
When we got out of the car at home, he gave me a hug. I hugged him back. It wasn’t perfect. But we understood each other for once. I got him settled, made him some lunch, and headed to work. If I had stayed home, I would’ve hovered and tried to get him to cooperate. I was going to have to trust him to make his choices. It wasn’t going to be easy, but the truth was I’d never been in charge. I just thought I was.
18
Luke
I had called Sarah Jo after my shift at the station. She said the doctor’s appointment had gone about like she expected, and her dad needed to take better care of himself. She also said she was going to try to back off, because micromanaging him wasn’t working very well for either of them.
“You should call the girls. Get Gracie and Layla and Maggie to go out tonight. I’m tending bar, and it’s 99 cent margarita night.”
“I think I’ll do that. I owe Maggie a drink for checking on Dad the other night anyway. I’ll see if Ryan can look in on him. That’s a great idea, Luke. Thank you,” she said.
“I wish I could take you out myself. But since I can’t, you can at least get some downtime to have fun. Even if it’s without me.”
“You’ll be there slinging drinks. Maybe I’ll leave you a tip,” she said.
I felt good about getting to see her later, even if we did have to act like nothing more than old friends. She’d be happy and laughing with her friends. It was good to see that, to see her carefree and relaxed. She needed the break. When they came in around seven, I sent over an order of queso and chips on the house. They chatted and giggled, and Maggie pointed at me once. I just nodded hello and got back to work. I made their pitcher of margaritas and salted the rims of the glasses for the waitress to deliver. I wished I was at that table with her. I’d have my arm around her, joking around and having her beside me. Making sure everyone knew we were together.
My parents came in on their way to the movies just to check on things and say hi.
“Everything okay?” Dad said.
“Yeah. It’s under control,” I said.
“You know that Susan isn’t working tonight?”
“Don’t worry. I got it,” I said.
“Your mother wants to see the new Matthew McConaughey movie. I think it looks stupid, but she said that didn’t matter as long as he’s in it. I’m just going for the popcorn myself. Are you sure you’ve got this under control?” he said.
“Yes. Go! It’s fine!” I said, a little exasperated. Apart from the one time Ryan punched me, nothing had ever gone wrong at the bar on my watch. But he still checked in like I was fourteen and still washing the dishes and bussing tables. I shooed him out.
A few minutes later, I glanced over and saw Sarah Jo trying to signal her waitress for the check. I went over to take it to them.
“Leaving early?” I asked, eyebrows raised.
“Ryan was busy. He couldn’t check on Dad. Shocker. And when I called to see how he was, he didn’t answer. So I’m going to head on home. I’m paying for half of it, mine and Maggie’s. I owe her one,” Sarah Jo said.
“I’d offer to go check on him on my break, but I’m the manager tonight, so I can’t,” I said. “What’s Ryan up to?”
She shrugged, but her cheeks were starting to turn pink so I looked at the other women, “Can I get anyone any refills?” I snapped back into bartender mode.
“No thanks, we’re gonna go, too. It’s just not a party without Sarah Jo,” Gracie said, passing me a credit card as Layla fished for cash in her overalls pocket.
After I had them checked out, they swallowed the last of their drinks and came to leave a tip. By the time they were done, I asked if they expected me to strip for money like that. They laughed, but Gracie said if she wasn’t married, she’d take me up on it. They all hooted and elbowed each other as they said goodbyes.
Sarah Jo thanked me for offering to check on her dad.