Past Forward- A Serial Novel: Episode 15 (11 page)

She could do it.
If I dropped dead right now, she
’
d be fine
,
and that
’
s always been my focus.
I need to focus on how to live as two adults together rather than as just mother and daughter.
I don
’
t know, maybe I
’
m overcomplicating things.
There has just always been this implied authority in our relationship
,
and well, I
’
m not sure it
’
s appropriate anymore.
At her age, I would have resented it I
’
m sure.

I need to condense our work journals.
I need to encourage her to choose what she wants to do rather than delegate.
I can make this happen.
I must make this
happen,
if I hope to keep her happy here.

Chad
’
s truck bounced across the driveway and into the yard.
Portia raced for it
,
sending Willow and Chad both into
mock
cardiac arrest.
Willow swallowed hard, remembering how Othello had stopped Saige from nipping at them.
He had been a good dog.

“
Next time I drive
up
, hold her back until I turn off the truck.
Maybe if we don
’
t let her go until the truck turns off, she
’
ll learn to wait for it
,
”
Chad
called before grabbing
an arm full of uniforms from the passenger
’
s side and slamming
the door behind him.

“
What if it
’
s two in the morning and you don
’
t see her?
”

“
Better lock her in the barn at night until she
’
s bigger
.”

Willow made a face.
“
So much for a guard dog
.”

Chad reached her side and pulled her close.
“
Hey.
I missed you
.”

She grinned.
“
And you were glad to miss me and all the chicken guts
too.
”

“
Ew.
What
’
s for dinner?
”
he interrupted
,
grabbing her hand and pulling her into the house.
“
I
’
ve got to get these upstairs and change
.”

“
The chicken is probably done…
”
She waited expectantly.

“
Ew!
Really?
How can you stand to eat one of those things after wallowing in their innards all day?
”

“
Probably how you can stand to drive somewhere after work when you
’
ve been driving all day
.”
She retorted, feeling utterly smug.

Chad gave her hair a tug as he
climbed
the stairs.
Willow waited a moment, heard the drawers opening, the linen closet bang, and then the bathroom door shut.
Impatiently, she drummed the newel at the base of the stairs.
The bath water turned on and she took a step.
She waited.
Another step.
As the sound of the metal curtain hooks slid across the rod, s
he hurried into the kitchen and listened contentedly to the familiar sound of bathwater running as she
finished her dinner preparations
.

“
The Lord gives, takes away, and then gives again.
Blessed be the name of the Lord,
”
she whispered.

As Chad bathed, he debated.
There were two things he knew that they needed to discuss but on his first night back after work?
Tomorrow was Sunday
,
though
—
the debate raged inwardly.
Grabbing his shoes and socks, Chad headed downstairs
,
praying for guidance
as
to know when or if to mention anything yet.
Perhaps a call to Luke or Pop before he broached any difficult subjects was in order.

“
That smells wonderful.
I am starving
.”

“
I thought you would be.
A frozen burrito from the convenience store
for lunch
?
”

“
How
’
d you guess?
”
Chad accepted his plate and held her chair.

“
Oh, you
’
re a creature of habit.
” She sat down and murmured,
“
Thanks
.”

“
Well, what
’
s on tomorrow
’
s agenda?
”
Chad tested the waters.

“
Don
’
t you have until two?
”

“
Yep
.”

Willow grinned.
“
Well, then surely we
’
d have time to go to church and get you home in time to get fed
.”

Chad nodded.
It was enough.
He
’
d worry about money issues later.
“
Sounds like a plan
.”

“
Chad, what
’
s wrong?
”

“
I
’
ve just got a lot on my mind
.”

“
Care to share?
”

Chad hesitated.
Maybe it was the right time.
“
I wasn
’
t sure how you
’
d feel about coming to church when I had to go to work right afterward
.”

“
But you always go to church if you
’
re off work.
Why wouldn
’
t we?
”

“
Well,
”
he prayed for the right words and then felt silly.
This was one of those times where he knew he
’
d look ridiculous for making mountains out of molehills.
“
I just know that you don
’
t always go
,
and I was borrowing trouble.
I thought you might resent me for wanting to go
.”

“
Why?
I like to go to church too and even if I didn
’
t, two hours isn
’
t going to ruin my life
.”
Her face was a comical study in confusion.

“
Like I said, I was borrowing trouble.
I
’
ve never asked why you don
’
t always go
,
so I just made assumptions with nothing as a foundation
.”

“
Well, you could ask and then you wouldn
’
t need assumptions
.”

He could almost see her thoughts. She thought he was being ridiculous—and was probably right.
“
Ok, why don
’
t you go sometimes?
”

“
Lots of reasons
.”
Willow held up a hand and ticked off fingers for each one.
“
I forget.
I don
’
t feel like walking.
I have something to keep an eye on here.
I need a few hours alone with the Lord
,
and it
’
s a convenient time for it.
I know you
’
re not going to be around to bring me home
,
and I don
’
t feel like turning down half the church as I try to get away…
”