“I hope you’re right. It’s not just being a single father, but it’s molding back into civilian life. I graduated and enlisted. That’s been my life. Short visits home, then back into the barracks, or the field. I feel so… out of place. That’s really the best way that I can explain it.”
“I can imagine that would be hard for you.”
I nod. “Yeah, my brothers, those not by blood, but by duty, they were my closest allies. They’re all still enlisted, fighting and standing tall without me. Sorry, I don’t mean to drop all of this on you.”
“You have to talk to someone. It might as well be a stranger.”
“I’d hardly call us strangers.” She’s consumed my life for the last week that she feels like anything but a stranger to me at this point.
“We’re more strangers than friends, maybe acquaintances.”
Glancing over, I see she’s staring out the passenger-side window. She looks sad, lost in her own thoughts. I reach over and place my hand on her arm, returning my eyes back to the road. “We should fix that.” Sure, it’s selfish of me to offer an olive branch of friendship, but something tells me she needs it just as much, if not more than I do.
She glances over and offers me a shy smile. “Yeah. I think I’d like that,” she agrees as we pull into my parents’ driveway. “I’ll help,” she says once the truck is parked. She climbs out and opens the back door, reaching in to grab the diaper bag.
I make sure the blanket is tucked in close around Milo as he slumbers in his seat, and we head inside. I don’t bother knocking. I grew up here, and Mom would give me all kinds of hell for knocking. She and Dad have always made sure we know that this is our home, no matter how old we are. I want Milo to have that same reassurance.
“There’s my nephew,” Chase greets, reaching for the car seat and taking off toward the living room.
“He seems really attached to him. That’s great that he’s so involved.”
“Yeah, but there’s a story there.”
“Oh, I’d love to hear more of it sometime.”
I nod. “I’ll give you all the gory details. Actually, it’s pretty cut and dried, but I don’t want to get into it right now.”
“I didn’t mean to pry.”
“You didn’t. However, my mom and Gabby are about two point five seconds from stealing you away from me. We can talk later?”
“Hollis. It’s good to see you,” Gabby says, walking into the foyer. She leans in and hugs Hollis, and then me. “Come on.” She grabs Hollis’s hand. “I’ll introduce you to Connie and Wes.”
“He’s snoozing,” Chase says when I join him and Dad in the living room. He has Milo resting on his chest with his blanket snuggled around him.
“He took a pretty good nap earlier this afternoon, so he shouldn’t sleep long. In fact, don’t let him, that way he will sleep tonight.”
“Is he still sleeping all night?”
“For the most part. There’s a night here or there that he’ll wake up hungry. I give him a bottle, and then he goes right back to sleep.”
“You’re welcome.” Chase gives me a cheesy grin.
“Thank you, Chase.” He’s kidding, but I’ve never been more serious. I don’t know what I would have done if Chase and Gabby had not looked after my son when they did.
“I’m going to need a sitter one day soon.” He winks.
“How about you leave both of the crumb snatchers with me and your mother, and you boys have a good time?” Dad offers.
“Mine’s not here yet. I can’t wait until we find out what we’re having.”
“Did Gabby finally decide to not keep us all in suspense?” I ask him.
“Yeah, she said she could wait, but nine months is a long damn time to wonder.”
“But it’s one of the true miracle surprises in life,” Dad comments.
“Did you know we were both going to be boys?” Chase asks.
“Yep.” Dad chuckles.
“Come and get it!” Mom calls out.
“Want me to take him?” I ask Chase.
“No. My time is limited. Once Grandma and Aunt Gabby get their hands on him, my time will be over.”
“You’re not getting out of this house until we’ve all had a turn,” Dad says, pointing at me. “This one,” he points at Chase, “is a baby hog.”
“Soon, there will be another, so more baby love to go around,” I remind him.
“Right. Like that’s going to make a difference. Until we have one for each of us, it’s going to be a battle.”
“Hold up, old man. You’re rushing that a little, don’t you think? Milo and I are flying solo.”
“Are you?” he asks, giving me a knowing look.
“Yes. Now let’s go eat before Mom comes in here and hits us all over the head with a frying pan.”
“I heard that.” Mom laughs as we enter the kitchen. “Make your plates and give me that baby.” She walks over to Chase with her arms out, ready to steal Milo.
“Fine,” he grumbles, kissing my son's fuzzy head before passing him over. “Hollis, good to see you,” he greets her.
“Hi, Chase.” She gives him a kind smile.
“Colt, can you show Hollis the refrigerator in the garage where all the drinks are?”
“Follow me,” I tell Hollis. “Sorry about that. I know my family can be overwhelming.”
“Not at all. It’s obvious how close you all are.”
“It was like this all the time growing up. I was a little worried about the dynamic when I decided to leave the service. However, I should have known better. It was always fine when I was home on leave, but that’s a week or so, not permanent.”
“I can see how you would worry, but not with your family. They’re great, Colton, really.”
“What about your family? Do you have any local?”
“No. Just me.” As she says this, something flashes in her eyes. Her body language tells me she doesn’t want to talk about it. I’ll leave it alone. For now.
“What would you like to drink?” I open the refrigerator door, and as always, Mom has it stocked with anything and everything you could imagine.
“Is that bottled root beer?” She leans in to get a better look, and I get a whiff of her perfume. I can’t place it, but it smells damn good.
“Yes. Chase and I loved drinking these when we were kids. I didn’t even know they made it anymore. Want one?” I ask her, grabbing one for myself.
“Yes, please.”
I reach in and grab another before shutting the door. “After you,” I say, nodding toward the door. Everyone is standing around the island, filling their plates with Mom’s pot roast. The conversation is flowing, and it’s taking a lot of effort to keep my cool when it comes to Hollis.
“What? You didn’t get us drinks?” Chase asks.
“You’re a big boy. Besides, Mom told me to show Hollis, not to wait on you.”
“I tell you. It doesn’t matter how old they get, they still bicker like ten-year olds.” Mom smiles fondly, shaking her head.