“There you are,” Hal announces, his voice bouncing off the floor-to-ceiling glass entrance.He shuts a door behind him off the upstairs landing.“Thought you were going to stay in the car all night.I hope you’re not afraid of us.”He laughs boisterously as he stomps down the stairs.“Welcome!”He splays his arms like I’ve entered the kingdom he proudly reigns over.
“Sorry about that,” I say, biting my lip.“I get the hiccups sometimes, and I wanted to get rid of them before coming in.”
“That’s understandable,” Samantha says with a sympathetic smile.“Hal, don’t give her a hard time.We want her to come back.”
“Aw, she can handle it.Can’t you, Sadie?Otherwise, you wouldn’t be with Jonathan, would you?”
I think he’s teasing, but I’m not a hundred percent sure.I smile awkwardly.“I can handle it.”A strong hand folds into mine, squeezing.I glance up at Jonathan.He’s not smiling.His father smirks back.
“This is the perfect time to put the burgers on, Hal,” Samantha says, her voice light, the perfect note to break the showdown.“The potatoes are nearly done.Jonathan, I could use your help with the salad.And, Ryan, please set the table.”
I follow them into the kitchen.This is Samantha’s influence with its bright white cabinets, herb-and-floral tiled backsplash and marble countertops.It’s big and inviting.On the far side of the kitchen, another archway reveals a long, beautiful wooden table with an autumnal centerpiece, surrounded by gourds and mini pumpkins.The light and airy feminine touches are a vast contrast to the heavy and darker tones of the grand room.
Hal exits onto the porch on the back side of the house, where a covered platter of burgers sits next to a grill.
“Is there something I can do?”I offer, watching Jonathan rinse the lettuce.A smile teases at my lips.I can’t help it.Seeing him helping his mom is… well, adorable.He glances at me and gives me a questioning grin.I shake my head dismissively.
“Would you mind bringing these out to Hal?”Samantha hands me a package of buns and a deli bag of cheese.
“Sure.”
When I step outside, I’m overtaken by a shiver.Hal doesn’t seem bothered by the brisk fall air in his flannel shirt and jeans.
“Thank you,” he says when I set the buns on the table beside him.“Hope you like burgers.Thought it would be a good break from holiday leftovers.”
“I do.”I look around the backyard.There’s a covered in-ground pool, surrounded by a black iron fence, and a basketball court on the far side of the house.“I didn’t realize you had a pool.”
“How do you think Jonathan learned to swim?”Hal chuckles.“That boy was in the water before he could walk.Knew he had a gift for it a long time ago.He’s determined, like me.Won’t let anything get in his way when he’s focused on something.”
“You must be proud.I don’t get to every meet, but he’s incredible to watch,” I say, carefully navigating this topic since I know they haven’t seen him swim in years.
“I haven’t been in a while.Jonathan asked me to stop coming.Said it put too much pressure on him.So”—he shrugs—“I don’t go.But I did for most of his life.Even hired some world-class instructors to improve his stroke.It paid off.”
“It did,” I say, noting the dip of his eyes.He looks like he’s pulling from memories he wishes he could return to.“Did you teach him to play football as well?”
“Not really, other than tossing the ball around with him when he was a kid.His mother hates that he plays.She can’t stand to watch, afraid he’ll get hurt.But he plays anyway.There’s no talking that boy out of anything.”He opens the grill and presses the spatula into the burgers.A flame erupts with a sizzle.“I coach Ryan’s basketball team now.And baseball in the spring.That and the business take up most of my time.Rather be where I’m wanted.”
I rub my arms to warm them up, not sure how to transition out of this conversation.It’s obviously a raw topic.I resort to what I know best, after years of small talk at adult functions.“You have a beautiful home.”
Hal’s face lights up.Pride emanates off him as he admires it.“Built it myself.Well, Samantha and me.She helped design it and picked out the details.Me and the guys from my team built every inch.We lived in a trailer on this land for years until the company finally made a profit and we were able to make this a reality.A lot of hard work and love went into making this home.”
He speaks of the house like it’s his greatest accomplishment—like most would praise their children.Thisishis castle.Nothing about this man resembles the controlling, abusive father I was prepared to meet.Sure, he’s loud and unfiltered.And he definitely has a strained relationship with Jonathan—the air changes when they’re in each other’s presence.But he seems to love his family.Or else he’s wearing a very convincing mask.
“You’re shivering,” Hal notes.“Go ahead inside.The burgers will be ready in a few minutes.”
As soon as I step through the door, Jonathan is there to envelop me, rubbing my arms and back to warm me up.I tuck my face into his shirt, breathing him in.
“What were you and my dad talking about?You were out there long enough to turn you into a Popsicle.”
“Just… dad stuff.”
“Since when are you a dad?”He grins.I pinch him, causing him to jump back with a laugh.“Ow.”
“Dinner’s ready!”Hal announces, holding up the platter of burgers like an offering at a feast.
“Perfect timing,” Samantha answers, a platter of roasted potatoes in her hands.“Jonathan, can you get the pitcher of iced tea?Sadie, is apple cider vinaigrette okay with you for the salad?”
I nod.
