Page 55 of Loving Kai

“They have a right to know.”

“Right.”

“Dinner won’t be ready for another thirty minutes or so. Go out to the Quonset hut and bring in the crib. It’s in the back right corner behind some boxes of Levi’s baby toys and clothes.”

“Do you want me to bring it all in?”

“Just the crib for now. I’ll go through those boxes tomorrow and see what we can use.”

“Okay.”

“We’ll need to get some more diapers in the morning, and in a few days we’ll go to White City and get whatever else we need.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Ever since he was old enough to avoid being dragged to White City on shopping trips, Abe had avoided the town. White City meant Walmart, Costco, and a selection of fast-food restaurants. None of which he was interested in. He watched Kai eat his apples for a moment, then turned and left the house.

As he crossed the yard toward the Quonset hut, Luke pulled up in his Range Rover. The vehicle was almost thirty years old, but like their father, Luke was a skilled mechanic. He got out of the truck and walked over to Abe.

“I didn’t know you’d be here for dinner.”

“Come help me with something.”

“Sure.”

Luke followed him into the Quonset hut, and Abe went to the back corner. The crib was there, but it was buried behind several boxes. “We need to get to the crib.”

“Why? Who’s pregnant?”

“No one.” He picked up a box with a groan, then set it back down. “My shoulder is messed up. Can you move these boxes out of the way?”

“What happened to your shoulder?”

“An idiot drunk driver ran me and my bike off the road last night.”

“Damn. Are you okay?”

Abe held out his arms. “I’ll live.”

Luke started moving the boxes aside. “Why are you being so grumpy?”

“I’m not grumpy.”

Luke looked at him. “Surly, sullen, crabby?”

“Just move that last box.”

Luke moved the box, and Abe pulled the crib out. It was folded down, but was still unwieldy. “Grab the mattress.”

Luke picked up the mattress, and they left the Quonset hut. When he noticed Abe struggling with the crib, he caught up to him. “Hold on. Switch with me.”

Abe let him take the crib, then leaned on the mattress. “I have a kid.”

Luke laughed and started walking toward the house. “Okay.” When Abe didn’t follow him, he stopped and looked back at him. “Shit. You’re serious.”

“He’s two years old, and I had no idea he existed until this morning.”

Luke leaned the crib against the Range Rover and walked back to Abe. “Damn. A two-year-old? What are you going to do? Like a shared custody thing, or…?”

“His mother passed six months ago. It’s all on me.”