Total pages in book: 122
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115288 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 576(@200wpm)___ 461(@250wpm)___ 384(@300wpm)
* * *
On the day of the assembly, I head home early to make sure I can get Peyton there on time. My in-laws arrived just after lunch, so Peyton was able to take the bus directly home instead of going to my parents’ place like she often does after school.
As soon as I walk in the door, Peyton comes rushing down the hall. “Daddy! Yay! You’re home! When are we leaving? I have to be there at five thirty so we can make sure the whole class is ready. We had a dress rehearsal today, and Tony Burton threw up in a wastebasket because he gets nervous performing in front of people. Mrs. Horton said he didn’t have to participate tonight, but I think he has FOMO because he said he still wanted to even though it makes him sick to his stomach. I’m really glad I don’t get sick to my stomach when I get up on stage. Harley says I’m a natural and that instead of getting nervous, I get excited and that’s how you know you’re an extrovert and not an into-vert.”
Karen appears at the end of the hallway. She’s wearing an apron, wiping her hands on a dish towel. “Peyton, honey, you need to finish your snack before we go.”
“Okay. Can we leave as soon as I’m finished?”
“Of course, dear. Just give your dad a minute to get in the door.” She pats Peyton on the shoulder and turns her in the direction of the kitchen.
“It’s okay. I know she’s excited,” I say as Peyton skips down the hall. I accept the hug and kiss on the cheek from Karen. “How was the drive down?”
“It wasn’t bad, a little busy when we got close to the city, but otherwise fine.” She picks at a loose thread on her apron. “I worry about how much of a challenge the trip will be in the winter, though. It feels like we hardly see Peyton at all now that you’ve moved, and with winter coming, that drive is going to be that much more of a challenge.”
I don’t love that this is the first thing she brings up when I walk through the door. I don’t want this visit to become another guilt trip. “You could always catch a flight in, and we could pick you up from the airport.”
“Oh, I’m not sure flying is a safer option. Especially with the storms we get.”
“We’ll figure out something that works for everyone.”
She hums and tucks her hands in the apron pocket. I notice that the one she’s wearing was a gift from her to Marcie when we first got married. I think it was at a bridal shower. Marcie had always been a fan of cooking, and she and her mom had spent a lot of time together in the kitchen. I didn’t even realize I still had that apron or where I even kept it.
“Are you sure that you’re going to want to stay in Colorado Springs indefinitely? Maybe all it will take is a year to get Greenscapes where it needs to be. Then you could think about moving back our way. Peyton was saying how much she misses seeing us all the time,” Karen says. Her tone holds a hint of accusation, and I hate how easy it is for her to play on my guilty conscience.
I force a patient smile. “You could always move out this way now that Kyle is retired. Then you’d be able to see us all the time, and no one would have to worry about winter driving.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that. We’ve lived in that house for the past thirty years. Marcie grew up there. I can’t imagine leaving all of those memories behind.”
I bite my tongue, not wanting this to be the focus of their visit. Part of the problem for my in-laws is that they’re stuck in the past, and it’s made it very difficult for me to move on with my life.
Even now, Marcie’s room is still decorated the same way it was when she left for college. She used to joke about how by the time we had kids, that room would be retro. The sad reality is, that’s exactly what it’s become. And Peyton is only allowed in there with supervision. It’s like an exhibit in a museum. “I’m going to get changed and then we can leave.”
“Okay. I’ll tell Kyle he’ll have to watch the game highlights.”
“We can record it for him.”
“Oh, that would be great. It’s his team playing, and you know how much he hates to miss a game. I’ll make sure Peyton’s done with her snack.” She heads for the kitchen, and I go in the other direction, dropping my briefcase in my office before I go to my bedroom.
I change out of my suit into a collared shirt and a pair of dark dress pants, wash my face, and comb my hair before I return to the kitchen. Karen is loading plates in the dishwasher, and my father-in-law is sitting at the kitchen island, eating a sandwich and sliced carrots.