Like it meant something.
Like I meant something.
I followed him into the house. While it was quiet, it didn’t feel empty and dark like it had the night before. Luke placed the pie on the table as he called out to his father, “We’ve got company, Pop!”
“I see that.” His father stood and came over to me. “We didn’t get a chance to meet last night. I’m Gordan. Luke’s father.”
“I’m Presley. I’m an old friend of Luke’s.”
“Yeah, Luke filled me in. Mighty nice of you to stop back by.”
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry for how everything played out last night. It wasn’t fair for us to bring that to your doorstep.”
“You didn’t bring nothing, doll. That was all on Davis.” He shook his head. “It was only a matter of time before his bad decisions caught up with him. Just hate he had to pull you and your sister into his mess.”
“Pie is getting cold,” Luke interjected.
I assumed this was his way of getting us to drop the Davis talk, so I nodded and said, “I’ll grab some plates.”
“They’re next to the sink.”
Luke smiled as he watched Gordan follow me into the kitchen. He was just as pleased as I was that his father had welcomed our visit. I knew then this wasn’t about fixing griefand sweeping things under the rug. This was about moving forward, and that filled me with hope.
Luke cut us each a piece of pie, and we sat at the table, sharing a little small talk and memories. After a while, Gordan excused himself and started back to his recliner in the living room. Before leaving, he glanced back at me and said, “It was real nice of you to come by today, Presley. I hope to see you again real soon.”
“I’d like that.”
Once he left the room, I stood and started clearing the plates and putting them in the dishwasher while Luke finished putting the groceries away. We moved in silence, but as soon as I closed the dishwasher, Luke came up next to me and said, “You didn’t have to do this.”
“I wanted to.” I wiped my hands on a towel before placing it on the counter. I wanted to say something more, but the words just wouldn’t come. So, I said the only thing I could. “I guess I should be going.”
“Yeah, sure… Whatever you need to do.” He followed me over to the back door before saying, “Thanks again for stopping by. Meant a lot to Pop.”
“You’re welcome. I was glad to do it.” I paused for a moment, and knowing I was about to lose my chance, I finally mustered the courage to say, “You know, there’s something else I’d like to do.”
“Oh?” He cocked his brow. “And what’s that?”
“I would like to do something to thank you for helping me the way you did.”
“Not necessary.”
“Doesn’t change the fact that I’d like to try.”
“What did you have in mind?”
“I could take you to your favorite restaurant.” My throat started to tighten. “We could eat, and maybe even catch a movie. I mean,if you’re into that kind of thing.”
“Yes, I’m into that sort of thing.”
“Okay, sooo… What do you think?”
“I think it’s not necessary.”
“That’s not an answer.”
“Yes, Presley. I’ll go on a date with you, but only on one condition.”
He stepped closer, and I immediately asked, “Okay. On what condition?”
