Page 81 of Dreams and Reptiles

“Well, that would be good.”

We got back to the house, and she assured me she wanted to go to her room and journal. “I’d love it if we could talk tomorrow, you know, about what I should do.”

“Of course, sweetheart. I’ll put this offer on the table, and you can think about it. I’ve got the mobile home on the property. It’s functional and relatively clean. If you want to stay in California, you can live in it. I can point you in the direction of a job, and you can stay there for the time being. You can go to school or not. I’m not going to be a hypocrite and say it’s college or nothing, since I chose not to go. You’ll need to cover your food, transportation, and other expenses, though I’ll help you until you’ve gotten your first couple of paychecks.

“That’s what I’ll offer. I love you, and I’d love for us to have the time together, but your mom’s right in one sense. You do need to spend some time figuring out what you want, and that won’t work if you’re living with either one of us and we’re financially supporting you. Okay?”

“Thanks, Dad. That’s a very generous offer. I’m sorry if I disappointed you by quitting⁠—”

“You didn’t disappoint me. I want you to be happy, kiddo, and if what you were doing wasn’t it, then I support your decision. You just have to do something, all right? You’ve always been a hard worker, so I know you’ll find work. It doesn’t have to be a forever thing, you know?”

“I know. And I appreciate your offer to stay and take this time to figure things out. My life in Florida was full of drama, with my roommates, with the jerks I went to school with… I don’t know if it’s school, period, or just that school and program.”

“People can be close-minded there, for sure. There are some folks like that here, but for the most part, this town is full of very kind and generous people. I’m really happy here.”

She grinned. “That’s good, Dad. All right. I’m going to bed. I love you.”

I kissed the top of her head and waved to her as she went down the opposite hallway.

As soon as she shut the door, I felt the weight from the evening crushing me. My phone had buzzed in my pocket a couple of times, so I pulled it out.

Francis had texted me four times, and they looked long.

Hot Pants Boyfriend: Shay just went to bed. I haven’t read your texts yet. Can I call?

Saucy Boyfriend FaceTimed me a few seconds later.

“Hey, baby. I’m so sorry⁠—”

“You surprised me tonight.”

There was no smile, no flirty smirk. His face was blank.

“Is that a bad thing?”

He shook his head. “No. You just made me think. You handled Shay’s situation so… You were so kind to her. So understanding. I gotta admit, I expected you would blow up. I got a little sick to my stomach, afraid that I was going to witness an ugly fight.”

I opened the door and stepped outside. I didn’t want Shay to overhear, especially because I couldn’t read Francis’s mood over the phone.

“Why would you think that? I’m not a blow up kinda guy, especially not with my kids. At least I never considered myself that. Why? Have I made you think I would be?”

He shook his head. “No, my love, not at all. But I hadn’t seen you as Kendall the Father yet. I guess it brought up some stuff for me.”

His dad. I started to apologize, but he held up a hand and took a deep breath.

“I hope she knows how lucky she is and that Tyson knew.”

Tears burned my eyes, and he wiped at his.

“Francis? Can you… can we meet at the fence? For just a few minutes?”

He started walking so fast, his camera was bouncing. “I’m coming.”

I took off at a trot up the path just as Francis burst out of his slider and ran toward me. We got to the fence line at the same time, and he jumped into my arms, wrapping his own arms and legs around me.

“Baby, I’m so sorry.”

He buried his face in my neck and held on tight.