I should be done with work around 4.
It was only 6:00 a.m. What the hell was he doing up so early, scheduling shit with Tanner? Tanner stared at the text, trying to figure out why Lance was doing this. Didn’t he have way better things to do?
Tanner Casey
You really don’t have to.
Lance Kingsley
I really do. Freaks and weirdos, remember?
Besides, it’s the perfect excuse for a Monday night beer.
Tanner had to smile at Lance’s quirky sense of humor. He wasn’t sure what that blossoming feeling in his chest was, but it felt oddly familiar. Like something he’d felt before but had pushed to the very back of his mind during the chaos of the past few years. He wasn’t sure what to think right then, so he shelved it for later. For now, he needed to re-work his plan for the day.
He glanced at the time again. It was 6:04. If he got up and headed in to work now, then he’d be able to leave an hour early, so he’d be done around 4:00 as well.
Tanner Casey
5:00 ok?
Lance Kingsley
I’ll put the grill on.
I can hustle you into taking all my ex’s crap while the steaks cook. Woohoo!
Tanner couldn’t remember the last time he’d enjoyed a good steak. His appetite lately had dwindled down to basic survival mode. But suddenly the idea of a grilled steak made his stomach rumble.
Tanner Casey
You drive a hard bargain. I’ll bring beer.
Lance Kingsley
Deal.
How this deal with Lance had evolved from simply buying an old desk to getting invited to a steak dinner was a real mystery. But even he wasn’t masochistic enough to deny himself a relaxing meal withtheLance Kingsley. After all, the world had kept turning in his absence, and like his shrink always said,That’s a good thing. Means there’s still a world for you to get back to.What better place could there possibly be to start than dinner at Lance’s house?
When Tanner was about four years old, his father set up his own lawn care maintenance company. So, Tanner grew up hauling equipment, mowing lawns, and trimming hedges. He’d never planned on sticking with the family business after high school. But after getting out of the military last month, he’dhad a hard time finding a decent job because of his physical limitations. His sister’s husband Mark had generously offered him a sales position with the company. He didn’t want to be a salesman, but the pay was decent, and Mark knew all about hissituation,which meant that when Tanner called off work because he was sitting in the corner of his bedroom, head tucked between his knees with ghosts for company, Mark didn’t ask questions. Tanner was eternally grateful for that, even if the work was like watching paint dry.
Fortunately, salesmen for the company didn’t have to go door-to-door anymore. Advertising was done on the Internet, radio, and television. When people called asking for lawn care service contracts, Tanner would schedule his visits with them and didn’t have to worry about being turned down.
On this particular Monday, he was greeted at the door by an African-American woman in her 30s, holding a baby while a toddler clung to her right leg. She looked exhausted.
“Hi, come on in,” she said, stepping back with the toddler clinging tenaciously. Tanner hurriedly entered and closed the door behind him in case the kid decided to make a run for it.
“My husband is in the kitchen.” He followed her through their very nice house.
Most of his customers were financially comfortable. They had to be to afford his company’s level of lawn care maintenance contracts. This couple was clearly doing well. Their house was a recent build, with beautiful wood and tile flooring and cathedral ceilings. Its open floor plan was the type often featured in magazines and ads for designer homes.
“Addy, bananas are for after dinner,” she chastised the whining toddler still clutching her leg. As they entered the kitchen, the toddler abandoned her mother’s pantleg and headed for her father, who was seated at the kitchen table, reviewing documents spread out in front of him.
“Hey, munchkin!” He leaned over and picked her up, then turned to Tanner and froze.
Their mutual recognition was instantaneous.
“Tanner Casey! Holy shit! You’re alive!”
