Denise sighs. “Sorry. Sam would shit a brick if he heard this conversation.”
“I get it.” Now, I guess I should answer her. “I’d like children. If I met the right person.” I’m not about to tell her if I think Sam is that person because I have a feeling that will get back to Sam and awkwardness would ensue.
I feel Denise’s hand touch my leg. Then, she gives it a pat. “I have to say, I know my son and this is the first time in a long time he’s introduced us to a woman, let alone hosted a barbeque so we could meet her. You’re special.” She finishes that statement off with a wink and a nod.
I’m saved by the bell, as they say, when Sam announces that the food is ready.
Denise stands. “We’d better get there before the men, or we’ll be left with only scraps.” She snickers. “Those boys can eat.”
I know for a fact that Sam bought half a cow to feed everyone. There were enough hamburger patties in his kitchen to feed five Munsel families, so I’m not worried about getting food, but I am ready to end this current line of questioning from his mom about Sam and me.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Actions Have Consequences
Sam
I watch my little brother hug my mom and slap Keith on the back as he heads in my direction. I knew he’d be the first to leave. The man is a social butterfly, as my mom would say. “Where you goin’?” I yell at him as he makes his way to my deck.
“Gotta keep this buzz going. Party at Smithy’s place.”
Jon Smith is Jesse’s oldest and best friend. The guy isn’t the brightest bulb, but his heart’s in the right place. “Tell him I said hey.”
Jesse raises his fist, and I meet it with mine. “Later, bro.”
“Later.” I pat his back. “Love you, man.”
“Same.”
I smile as he heads out. My attention is drawn away by Colette, who seems to be following Jesse into the house. It reminds me I haven’t seen much of her throughout the evening. Mom has been by her side for most of it. But I should check on her.
Following her into the house, I get there in time to see her pass through the living room and out the front door. The same direction as Jesse.
Intrigued, I wait a beat, then step through my open sliding door just as she’s walking out my front door.
Pushing open my screen door, I see Colette first. She’s standing next to Jesse’s truck while he sits in the driver seat. She hasn’t noticed me yet, so I step a little closer. That’s when I hear her say, “You shouldn’t drive, Jesse. You’ve had too much to drink.”
“I’m fine.” Jesse’s the guy in our family that lets everything roll off his back—he takes everything in stride. “No worries,” he says, giving her his best smile. Hell, all Jesse has to do is smile at a woman and she’s putty in his hands.
“You’re not fine.”
I guess not every woman.
“Sweetheart,” Jesse tries another tack. “Seriously. I’m fine. I ate. I’m good.”
Colette turns to me. I guess she did see me coming. “Sam. Tell him.”
Tell him what? Jesse’s right. He ate. I saw him. “I think he’s fine, honey.”
She blinks at me, and I swear I can see them grow shiny. “Fine?” Her voice is quivering. “You think it’s fine that your brother was drinking out of a flask and is now getting behind the wheel of a car? Did you see him trip and fall a little while ago?”
I remain quiet as she continues.
“I can tell you from experience, Sam. It’s notfine. Actions have consequences. It’s notfinewhen someone like your brother here drinks too much and plows his car into a tree. And in doing so killing himself. A guy who had his whole life ahead of him. That’s notfine, Sam. It’s stupid. It’s selfish because he’s leaving behind people who love him and … and it’s not fair!” She shouts the last part, and that’s when the tears begin to fall.
Whatever is happening here, it’s very personal. I reach for her and pull her to me, holding her tightly against my chest. She’s limp, but her voice isn’t. “If you don’t stop him, Sam…”
I look over at Jesse. “Call an Uber.”
