And I know I can’t go on like this.
Not another twenty-five years.
“I want a divorce.”
CHAPTER 2
Joel
“Who the hell is calling me at this time of day?” I gripe as my phone rings.
I grab it from the passenger seat of my truck and answer without looking.
“What?”
A deep chuckle meets my ears before a voice speaks. But that’s enough to tell me who’s on the other end.
“Aiden, aren’t you supposed to be flying or something right now?” I bark out at my oldest grandson before snatching my worn, but still perfect black Stetson from the passenger seat, and climb out of my truck.
“It’s only late afternoon,” my grandson replies in a voice that’s too deep, if you ask me. Just yesterday he was a little boy wanting to be a fighter pilot like his father.
Now, he’s a twenty-three-year-old Air Force Academy graduate stationed in Florida of all places.
“I have a night flight today, so I wanted to call while I had some time.”
My top lip instantly curls up. I know he’s not calling to deliver good news.
“What is it?”
“I’m sorry, Grandpa, but I just got slammed with a new training assignment. And it’s next week.”
“Next week when?”
He sighs. “All week.”
“How the hell is it all week? Next Thursday is Thanksgiving.”
“You know I can’t get out of it.”
“Bullshit,” I grunt. “Quit the damn Air Force.”
He laughs.
“Damn military ruining more of my holidays. You know they did this same stunt with your father. Assigning my boy halfway around the world, knowing he wouldn’t be able to make it home in time for the holidays.”
“It wasn’t on purpose,” Aiden replies. “We have bases all around the world?—”
“Don’t go telling me what I know,” I gripe. “They made him miss holidays, just like they’re doing with you now. We always get together for Thanksgiving and decorate the house the day after. It’s tradition.”
“One I’m sad to miss, Grandpa. But orders are orders. You don’t want me to get in trouble, do you?”
I roll my eyes skyward before wiping sweat from my brow. I just spent a few hours at the ranch, checking on the horses and organizing for the year-end activities.
“Don’t ask stupid questions,” I grumble.
“I’ve already told Mom and Dad, but I wanted to call to let you know myself,” he says.
“’preciate that,” I tell him, meaning it. Aiden, just like all of my children and grandchildren know that I do not play around when it comes to the holidays.
