Page 66 of Leading the Blind
“Awesome. We got the smoker, so it’s a win-win.” He went to tuck the beer away while everyone gave hugs, then came back to oof as Gramps pulled him into a big one, pounding his back.
“I like it. A lot. I brought fishing poles. Y’all got licenses?”
“Got them at the Walmart this week.” He wasn’t sure how much Mini would fish, but it couldn’t hurt.
“Good deal. We’ll drop a line.” Coke looked tickled, but under the smiles, he had bags under his eyes. Bax figured he shouldn’task now and embarrass the man, but he would corner Dillon later to ask how the man was feeling. “You want the tour?”
“Just show me where to drop the bags and where the Cokes are.”
“You got it.”
“Jason can show me the bathroom,” Dillon said, making a wry face. “I didn’t want Coke to have to stop at a fast-food place.”
Jason tilted his head. “Y’all didn’t bring the dogs?”
“My sister is watching them this time,” Dillon said. “They’re traveled out for a bit.”
“Oh, bummer. I was going to get them floaties.” He grabbed Dillon’s suitcase and led Coke up the stairs to see the suite with its little kitchenette and sitting area with Momma’s old comfy love seat in it.
“Look at this!” Coke seemed tickled shitless. “Oh, this is perfect.”
“You like it?” He was about to bust with pride. “We got your bed all put in and everything. I got to tell you, Jack says he’s gonna get one for him and Momma.”
“Right? They’re amazing. Oh, y’all did good. Look at this balcony!” Coke went right out into the sunshine. He was going to have to make a bet with Jase on how long it would take for the clown to buy big, fancy chairs for out here.
Probably not even a full day. Bax was all over it. Coke deserved some comfort.
“Neat, huh? They’re all around the whole house. We’re just in love with the place.”
Coke grinned back at him. “I bet you see a lot of us.”
“That’s one of the reasons we chose this one. There’s a place for folks. There’s more bedrooms downstairs.”
“Are there? How hurricane-proof is it?”
Bax shook his head. “We’ve seen all the flood reports on the place. They did the best they could to make it solid as a rock.”
“Good deal. I like that there’s a fridge up here. Ice and cold Cokes.”
“Yeah, and you could make eggs or whatever on the little stove and not have to navigate the stairs.” Bax thought this was one of the greatest things about this house. Room for folks.
Him.
Wanting visitors.
Who’d have thought it?
“Well, and you two would understand that. This is real fine, son. Real fine.” Coke came back in, looking a little younger.
“Thanks. And you need to take a little nap, you just say.” He grinned at Coke. “Seriously, man, this is a no-stress zone.”
“I appreciate it. I might do that in a bit. First I want to have a drink and a sit.”
“Well, come on then.” He led the way back to the main part of the house. “Cokes in the fridge, and in the cooler out on the deck.”
“Oh, the deck. I bet Jason and Dillon are out there already.”
They did find them out there, laughing and easy together, like friends.
