Page 177 of Just One More Thing

Hank waddles straight toward him like this is a social call. Charlie bends to rub his head, buying me a second I didn’t ask for but need anyway.

“You heading out?” he asks.

“I am.”

He nods once. No surprise on his face. No big reaction. Just that way he has of taking something in.

“Know where you’re headed?”

“Tampa called. I’m filling in for Daniels.”

Charlie scratches Hank behind the ear, then stands. “You want me to spread the word, or you leaving that honor to Kravitz so the elders can build a better story out of it?”

“I left Mrs. Kravitz a letter.”

He chuckles. “Smart.”

I look past him toward the boat bay, then back at him. “I didn’t want to leave without seeing you.”

“I’m glad you did.”

A siren chirps once inside the bay, somebody testing something. Then it goes quiet again.

“You good with this?” he asks.

I let out a breath and look at the water for a second. “I’m not good with why I’m going. But I’m good with going.”

Charlie nods like that makes sense.

“I’ll keep an eye on things while you’re gone.”

He doesn’t say what things because he doesn’t have to. The house. The town. The people.

“Yeah,” I say. “I’d appreciate that.”

That should probably be enough, but neither of us moves.

Finally he says, “Going back doesn’t mean you failed at staying.”

Charlie steps forward and holds out his hand.

I take it.

He pulls me in fast with the other arm, one hard clap between my shoulders, then lets me go.

“I’m a phone call away, brother.”

“Thanks, Charlie. I’ll call you when I land.”

He jerks his chin toward the lot. “Go on, then. You look like hell.”

“Good talk.”

Hank and I are on the footbridge when I look back.

Charlie’s still standing there. Watching me go.

I lift a hand.