We eat a quick breakfast before we go, Oakley latching the back door so Bell can’t wander in. Even in her senior age, the Miniature Galloway cow gets into her fair share of trouble.
The drive to Wendy’s takes about an hour, although we don’t go straight to her house. We’re meeting just outside the city. Even so, Wendy’s apartment isn’t far from Darling, all things considered. It’s easy for her to come visit on the weekends or for us to do the same. Every once in a while, all four of us get together, my ex included. Although the times Oakley and I are in the same vicinity as Laura are rare these days. True to his word, Oakley has never forgiven her, and I haven’t asked him to.
She didn’t attend our wedding. She wasn’t invited.
Part of me would have loved for Wendy to have returned to Darling after her college graduation, but it’s not what she wanted. And I can respect that her choices, her life, are her own.
My stress starts to melt away the closer we get to our destination. Oakley seems to notice, a bemused smile on his face when I glance his way.
“I’m doing better,” I tell him.
“I can see that. Ready to meet the grandkids then?”
He has the slap to his chest coming. He really does.
The skydiving facility is out in the middle of nowhere. Elyse, Wendy’s girlfriend, is an instructor here. I find a spot to park, and Oakley and I seek them out.
We find the pair standing outside the building, clearly waiting for us. This is the first time we’re meeting Elyse in person, but Wendy has shown me pictures. She’s a striking woman,her jet-black hair pulled back in a thick braid, amber-colored eyes warm, if not a little nervous.
Wendy splits away to greet us, giving me a tight hug. “Hey, Dad,” she says, emotion heavy in her voice, even though she tries to hide it.
“It’s all right,” I tell her quietly, rubbing her shoulder. “We’re gonna love her.”
She lets loose a breath, nodding before stepping back. She hugs Oakley next, Elyse waiting with a patient smile on her face. As soon as Wendy is free, she steps back to give introductions.
“Dad, Oak, this is Elyse, my girlfriend. Elyse, these are my dads.”
I hold out my hand as Oakley bends at the waist beside me. Wendy’s eyes go wide, and even Elyse looks alarmed, even as she shakes my hand.
“It’s a pleasure, Elyse,” I tell the woman. “I’m really glad to meet you.”
“You, too,” she replies. “Is, uh, he all right?”
“Oakley’s fine,” I assure her, the man nearly wheezing. “He’s just having a moment.”
“Nice to meet you,” Oakley manages hoarsely, straightening enough to offer his hand for Elyse to shake. “Ah, God.”
“Oak?” Wendy asks.
“Fine,” he says, waving a hand through the air. “Holy shit, Lawson.”
I rub his back soothingly. “I know.”
As Oakley comes to terms with his hypothetical grandkids, I assure the girls everything is all right. We head inside soon enough, and Elyse sets us up in a small room where an instructional video plays. Oakley and I filled out all the necessary waivers ahead of time.
“Are you scared?” he asks me.
I take a second to truly think it over. “No.”
Oakley huffs a laugh. “Your brothers think this is dangerous.”
“So is driving a vehicle,” I point out, the truth of that something we all remember, long ago as it was. “Are you worried?”
“No,” Oakley says quickly. “Just a little anxious. I’ve never jumped out of a plane before.”
“You’ll have a parachute. And a guide. All you have to do is…fall.”
“That’s the part that makes me anxious.”
