It’s been almost two weeks without Sadie, and the house feels empty without her. She may have attitude for days, but she makes things better.
“Not as much as I’d have at horse camp.”
And there’s my girl. “Well, okay then.”
She laughs. “I’m kidding, Daddy. Kind of. Yes, I’m having fun, but I’m ready to come home. How are the chickens? Cloud? Anyone get arrested since I’ve been gone?”
“Good. Fine. And no. Not yet, at least. It seems things have stopped, so we haven’t had any reasons to be arrested. Your grandad did steal the tractor and go on a joyride in the wrong pasture.”
Her smile widens. “Of course he did. He’s probably lonely without me.”
“I’m one hundred percent sure that’s true. I miss you too.”
“I’m sure you do. I’m pretty amazing.”
I roll my eyes. “And annoying.”
“That’s true. Not that you’re all that easygoing, but anyway, things are fine here. We’re going to Lake Powell for the rest of the week. I’m not at all excited about sleeping in a tent and not having access to showers.”
I shudder. “I bet not.”
“Yes, well, this is the camp you chose for me. I promise, I will have my payback.”
“I don’t doubt that,” I tell her, with all the confidence that she will absolutely do that. “What are you up to now?”
“Just hanging out. We have a campfire soon, and they told us to call home because we probably won’t have service when we go camping.”
“However will you survive?”
“I won’t, and it’ll be your fault,” Sadie says without pause.
A teenager without their phone means imminent death or boredom that will lead to destruction. I have no doubt about that. I don’t envy the camp counselors who are going to be dealing with the kids.
I grin. “I’ll live with the guilt.”
“When I get back, can wepleasedo something fun?” Sadie asks.
The fact that she still likes being around me makes me happy. I’m pretty sure by this age, the absolute last thing I wanted to do was be around my parents. Not that my dad was half as cool as I am, but still.
“I’d love that. Any ideas?”
“Yes, I’d love a ride out on the ridge.”
My chest tightens as I think of what the ridge has become. What I do there. Who I see. The way I feel when I know I’m heading there. Like I am as soon as I’m off this call.
I don’t know how I feel about any of it. The horse again, the ridge, the entire thing. I also know she’s putting me on the spot, and I don’t really appreciate that.
Then I think about the constant nagging of my sisters and father to let her ride again.
Like always, my mind goes back to the accident. The way she looked, the pain, the aftermath.
There’s no right answer. Or maybe there is, but I’m just not ready to give it.
“IfI agree to this, and that’s a big if, it won’t be Cloud.”
Her eyes widen. “Okay.”
“I mean it, Sadie. Don’t start trying to negotiate with me. If I sense even a hint of manipulation, I’ll say no immediately. And again, this is a big if.”
