Bythe time we closed down the bar,Iwas only nominally closer to knowing whatIwanted to do, butIfelt confident that ignoring the situation was no longer an option.
11
KEVIN
I’donly hadtime for a quick nap afterIgot home from work beforeIhad to pick upMomand get to the community center.Ifnot for the holiday schedule at work, with shorter shifts so everyone could get some time at home,Iwould have had to bail on her.Ipoured a travel mug of coffee, praying it was strong enough to keep me awake untilIcould catch a nap later in the afternoon.
Ansonwas loadingBartinto the truck asIbacked out of the garage.Hewaved, andIwas pretty sureIwasn’t imagining the genuine smile on his face.Maybeit was the start of the holiday season getting to him.Hesure as hell hadn’t seemed happy to see me for the past few weeks.Sure, we still said hey, even shared dinner a couple of times, but it wasn’t the same as that first week.
Anddamn, did it suck to realizeIwas so twisted based on one week.Thetimes we’d seemed to be getting closer had all happened in a short eight-day stretch.YetIcouldn’t wish thatSaturdaynight away because those slightly inexperienced, tentative at first but quickly shifting into something commanding kisses would now be the bar every other man had to reach.
Stupid?Yep, but love was one area whereI’dnever been accused of being smart.
Fornow,Ineeded to putAnsonLangsfordout of my head.Mymom would pick up on my mood, and then she’d ask more questions.
Momlooked nice when she came out the side door of the house.Herhair, while still pulled back in a simple ponytail, looked like she’d curled the loose ends.Shehad on a flowy floral-print skirtI’dnever seen before, and when she got close to the car,Inoticed she was wearing makeup.Nothingover the top, but the fact it was there at all was a change.Ileaned over the console to kiss her cheek once she was buckled in. “Youlook nice today.”
“Thankyou.”Shesmoothed her skirt before crossing her hands on her lap. “IthoughtThanksgivingwas a good reason to get dressed up a little.Thepeople coming to the center for dinner don’t have family around, so they deserve to know someone thought enough to look nice for them.”
Isuddenly felt underdressed in my jeans and button-up shirt.Shehadn’t told me there was a dress code, even if it was one she’d only set for herself. “Plus,I’dlike to see ifKeithwill take a picture of the two of us.Themost recent oneIhave is from when you graduated.”
“I’dlike that.”Alump formed in my throat, wishing she’d found this confidence years earlier.Atthe same time, it was hard seeing her blossom like this, not knowing her motivation.IfI’dbeen able to think of a way that wouldn’t offend her,Imight have asked if she was dressing nice to impress a certain small business owner.
Thescene inside the community center was sheer chaos when we arrived.Mrs.Bartlett’sarms were flapping every which direction as she assigned stations.Herface brightened when she noticed us. “Ohgood, you’re here.April, you’re going to be serving drinks today.Kevin, we could use you in the kitchen.Ruthis doing her best, but she’s too old to be lifting the roasters out of the oven or dumping the mashed potatoes.”
“Iheard that,Marie.”IfMs.RuthandMrs.Bartlettwere already at one another’s throats, it was going to be a long day.
“Wasn’tmeant to be a secret, you old bat,”Mrs.Bartlettyelled.Sherolled her eyes and sighed when she turned back to us. “Now, if you don’t mind,Ineed to see if we can find anyone to deliver meals.Wehave thirty stops, the most we’ve ever had, and the family who volunteered apparently has the flu.Youdon’t happen to have any friends who need something to do, do you,Kevin?”
“Unfortunatelynot, ma’am.Myfriends all live up inPineville.Otherwise,I’dgive them a call.”Mymom shot me a suspicious look.Ipursed my lips and shook my head, begging her to not say anything.Itwasn’t really a lie sinceIwasn’t sureAnsonandIwere friends at this point.Makingout, even for a short time, seemed to have scared him off. “Ifsome people in town wouldn’t raise hell about it,I’dcall down to the station and see if the officers on duty could help.”
Itwas something to consider in future years.I’msure the shut-ins would get a kick out of police officers and firefighters delivering their meals to them.EMTsnot so much since an ambulance pulling up in front of their house could lead to a medical situation.I’dhave to bring it up at our next community outreach meeting.
“Well, thenI’lllet the two of you get to it,” she said with a wave.
Oncewe were alone,Momturned to me. “Whatabout that boy you’ve been mooning over?”
“Firstof all,I’mnot sure he’d appreciate being called a boy,”Ideflected.Therewas plentyIcould imagine him being called once my mom knew how close they were in age, but that was neither here nor there. “AndI’mpretty sure he’s got plans with his family.”
“Invitethem along,” she suggested. “Itlooks to me like we can use all the help we can get.”Asshe spoke, her eyes scanned the room, most likely searching forKeith.Herentire face lit up when the kitchen door opened andKeithwalked in, arms laden with bags.Trinityfollowed, their arms just as full.Sheturned to me and whispered, “Callhim,Kevin.”
Ipulled out my phone, knowing it was ridiculous to reach out just to appease her.Iwas a grown man.Ididn’t need to worry about getting in trouble ifIstood my ground.Butit was an easy enough ask sinceIwas sure he’d tell me whatIalready knew.
So,Iknow it’s a holiday, and you were already heading out this morning, butItold my momI’dask if you’re available to help deliver meals from the community center.Don’tfeel you have to say yes or anything.
Iwas surprised when my phone buzzed almost immediately.
We’renot eating until later in the day.Whattime do you need help?
Nowthat he’d agreed, my stomach started doing somersaults.Thiswas a horrible idea.I’dprobably get hearts in my eyes the same wayMomhad whenKeithwalked in, and then everyone would know howIwas pining over him.
Wheneveryou can get here.Theplanning committee seems to have been light on the planning part.I’dbet there aren’t even a dozen volunteers here.
We’llbe there shortly.Goingto let the family know what’s going on.
Didthat mean the entire family was coming with him?WhathadIgotten myself into?
“OfficerMickelson, are you going to get your cute tush in here, or are you going to let a frail old woman risk hurting herself working over a hot stove?”Ms.Ruthwas many things, but frail was not among them.I’dhazard a guess she’d beat down anyone who dared call her that.
