“You’re a mom,” Dustin says as if this is the first time he’s hearing the news.
I smile. “It’s the best thing in the world.” I look at him. “And you’re going to be such a great dad.” My eyes move around the table and I smile at Patrick. “You are too.”
And when my eyes land on Greyson, I don’t know what to say, so I simply say, “All of you will.”
We clear our dishes and wind down for the night.
On the way to our bunks, Greyson pulls me aside. “So, you're alone these next few days?"
“Yes.”
“Alone and curious?”
“I don’t follow.”
“Never mind,” he says, shaking his head. He starts to turn for his bunk.
“Greyson?”
“Yeah?”
“What were you going to ask me?”
“I was thinking about how you asked to see my property. If you're just sitting around bored …” He runs his hand through his hair. “But ... Never mind.”
I reach my hand out, resting it on his forearm before I think better of it. “I'd love to see your property.”
“Yeah?” His eyes drop to my hand.
I lift it away. “Yeah.”
Shift change ends and the next four days loom wide open in front of me. As much as I say I need a break—and often, I do—having one isn’t always easy. I don’t know what to do with myself.
Usually, I’d be heading home to catch a minute with Mia before driving her to school. Then I’d be doing chores and resting before I picked her up from school. Or if my day off falls on a weekend, I rush out so I can grab up a whole day with her.
We talked on the phone at bedtime last night. I stepped into my bunk and pulled out my cell to call Mia in private. Dustin had helped me come up with some great knock-knocks and Mia giggled hard.
I’ll call her again later today. I’m trying not to grab my phone to make sure the ringer’s on every few minutes. My hand goes there again, like a nervous tic. Greyson tracks the movement while we all wave goodbye to one another.
“See you in four days!” Dustin shouts. He adds a whoop. “Days off in a row! That’s what I’m talking about!”
“Bye, guys!” Patrick shouts back.
Greyson lingers. I look over my shoulder to see if Patrick and Dustin are watching us, but they seem to think nothing of the fact that we’re lagging behind, facing one another while they rush to start their four-day break.
“What time do you want to come by?” Greyson asks me.
“I should probably go home to shower and change, check in on my mom …”
“How about lunch?”
“Lunch is good.”
“Okay,” he smiles almost nervously. “I’ll text you the address. Park anywhere on the driveway when you get there. You’ll see my Jeep.”
“Is this some massive property, Grey? Have you been holding out on me?”
“Massive? No.”
