“Mom said my Dad didn’t suffer. She said he won’t look like himself when I see him. He’ll live in my memories, and it’s how I’ll picture him. I’ve never gone to a funeral before. Tucker says it’s all right to cry cause it’s my dad.”
Elias’ eyes met Owen’s in the rear-view mirror. It didn’t feel like they knew the man Conner spoke about, but he felt grateful Leslie explained everything to him.
“How about you let us make decisions about the funeral, and you can help us with the gathering afterward?” Owen compromised.
“Dad only wanted the family to come. Mom said we’ll have lunch catered, and I can get to know all my brothers,” he said.
“Did I get the right place?” Owen asked, staring at the steakhouse.
“Oh, yeah. Mom said you might ask me where I want to go. She said if I went here, you’ll buy me the biggest steak here because you’ll feel bad about missing me all these years.”
Elias slapped his knee and laughed.
“I think she got you, Owen.”
“It seems she did,” Owen said, turning the engine off. “Let’s go inside and order the biggest steak,” he told Conner while shaking his head at Elias.
They entered the restaurant with a westerntheme, and a hostess directed them to their booth. Country music played in the background as she passed them menus.
“A server will be right with you,” she said before walking away.
A minute later, the server brought glasses of water to the table.
“I’m Misty. I’ll give you a few moments to read the menu, and I’ll be back to take your orders. May I get you anything to drink?”
“May I have a soda, please?” Conner asked politely.
“I’m good with water,” Owen pointed to his glass before perusing the menu.
“Me, too,” Elias chimed in.
Owen watched Conner’s expression grow concerned as he read the menu. He moved his fingers as if he counted money in his head.
“Order whatever you like. It’s not every day we get a new brother,” Owen reassured him.
“The biggest steak costs thirty-five dollars. May I please order two smaller ones and get a dessert?” he asked.
Curious, Owen leaned forward. “Why do you need two steaks when you can have a giant one?”
“Because I feel bad about Tucker not coming. We don’t eat steak very much. This way, he can have his own. Mom will say she doesn’t want anything, butshe loves strawberry shortcake,” he explained as he pulled money from his pocket.
“She gave me money in case you didn’t want to pay. Do I have enough to cover tax and tip?” Conner asked, hopefully.
His heart sank. Owen never thought to include Leslie’s family. Did they have a hard time making ends meet? He recalled the old truck she drove and guessed they most likely didn’t. She mustn’t have thought much of him if she sent the kid with money to buy his own food.
“Put your money away, son. I’ll cover it,” he offered. Knowing Leslie loved steak with sweet potatoes and corn on the cob, he said, “Why don’t we order everyone a steak and take it to them? We can place it while we finish, and it’ll still be hot by the time we make it back.”
Conner’s eyes lit up. “Awesome, I can’t wait to see Tucker’s face.”
“Pick out a dessert for each one of you,” Elias encouraged. “What about Tucker’s dad?”
Shrugging, Conner said, “I don’t know. He doesn’t live with them.”
The server returned and took their orders.
“When will my other brothers show up?” Conner asked.
“Probably in a couple of days,” Owen said. “Do you need anything else from the house before I take you back to Leslie’s?”
