I suck in another breath to keep them at bay.Do not cry again, woman.
Three days without my wife. Three days of not knowing if she’ll ever come home.
I’m laying on the couch like a sad sack of shit without her. We make the younger guys do most of the night chores on weekends so I don’t even have work to distract me.
Instead I’m laying here, staring at my phone, hoping someone wants to go to the bar with me. Because I am the man child she says I am and won’t go to the bar my wife owns alone.
Murray:I’m in. Talkin’ to Henry quick, but I’ll come by and grab you?
Me:Yup. I’m here.
Speaking of Henry, I forgot to text Sanders.
Me:Hey man. How are you holding up?
Sanders:Shitty. It fucking sucks.
Me: Yeah. It does suck. He’s as good as they come and the guys are all upset.
Sanders: I wish I could get out there, but break is almost here and I’ll come as soon as I can. I want to talk to you and Gran about the future of the ranch.
Me:No rush, man. Y’all need to grieve it first.
Sanders:Speaking of grieving- I only have a minute left before the game, but I heard about Juliette. I’m sorry you’re going through all this shit at the same time.
Me:My own fault, but I swear I’m going to make it better.
Sanders:You better. Don’t fumble a girl like her.
A knock on my door saves me from answering Sanders.
“Come in,” I yell out.
Murray walks into the living room where I’m still laying on the couch.
“Dude. Is this what we’ve come to? Laying on the couch texting like a teenage girl?”
“Shut up. I was talking to Sanders.” I sit up to avoid any more shit from him.
“Did he say anything about the future of the ranch?” Concern is all over Murray’s face. It’s the same look I’ve gotten from all the ranch hands as they talk to Henry.
“He just said when they get their break he’s comin’ out here to talk to me and Gretta. Sorry, I won’t have any answers for you guys any time soon.”
“None of us are in a rush. We trust y’all. It would just be nice to quiet their minds.” He looks around the house. “It sure is quiet around here without her.”
“Fuckin’ tell me about it.” I slip my nice boots on and stand to leave. “Let’s go drink some beers.”
I might be wearing Juliette’s favorite pair of dark wash Wranglers, with her favorite black button up, sleeves rolled to my elbows. I haven’t worn it for her in awhile, but she never could resist me in this get up.
“I can’t tell if I’m comin’ to be your wingman for Juliette or pickin’ up someone else to piss her off.”
“Always for Juliette. There’s no one else that will ever compare to her.”
“Does she know that?” He raises his brow at me.
“She’s going to.”
I’m going to make real fucking sure of it.
