The Path to Us

by Jennifer Van Wyk

Zoey walks into the kitchen, dressed in shorts and a t-shirt and carrying her stuffed donkey Chris gave her. She’s loved donkeys ever since my dad took her to the fair and everyone was looking at all the horses but no one was over by the donkeys. She felt bad for them and cried right there in the middle of the barn.

why is that something i would do

Chris loved Zoey more than anything in the world, but Addy was a close second.

“I want something out of town with more land than this. Maybe with some buildings so I can raise some cattle or goats. I don’t know the first thing about either but figure I can learn.”

She’s not just under my skin or in my heart. She’s it for me.

When I put my pickup in park, Zoey comes flying out of the house to greet me. Luckily I’m able to stop her before she goes head first into my crotch. “Mommy said we’re havin’ hamburgers!” “Sounds delicious!” “I know!”

“Need something?” He takes me in, head to toe, and I squirm, wondering if what I was just doing is written all over my face. By the way his breathing matches my own, I’d venture to say it is. He doesn’t say anything, just takes a step forward. Then another. And another until he’s directly in front of me, our chests centimeters apart. “You. You’re what I need.”

“Have I told you today that I love you?” Even as her eyes grow soft, they still look fierce. “Have I told you today I love you?” comes her response.

“Well, it’s a surprise.” To me, too, because I have no idea what we’re going to do but I know that Addy needs to go to the shop for a while today and I want to spend some time with Zoey rather than her go to my parents’ house. She actually rolls her eyes and looks beyond annoyed when she says irritably, “But how will I know what to wear?” Unfortunately for Addy, she’d just taken a large drink of her coffee which didn’t stay in her mouth when she blew it all over the kitchen floor. “Yucky. Why did you spit out your coffee?” “Yeah, Mommy. Why’d you spit out your coffee? That’s not very ladylike of you.”

Richard lowers himself to the ground slowly so Zoey can see the orange kitten he’s holding while talking to Macaroni as if they’re long lost buddies. Thankfully, Macaroni only sniffs at the tiny ball of fluff and barks once then scampers off. Richard’s dog greets Macaroni with butt sniffs and tail wags before they run off to play. “It’s so cute. Is it a boy or a girl?” “I think it’s a girl,” he tells her and smiles. His eyes dart up to mine, full of mischief this one. “Did you name it yet?” “Sounds like a good job for you. Look how well you named your dog.” I grunt. “Cheese! Because she’s orange!” “See? I knew you’d come up with the perfect name.” “Can I hold her?” “Of course you can.” Carefully she takes it from his hands and cradles it to her chest, cooing and rubbing her face against it. Richard groans when he stands up. “I’m getting old, baby girl.” She’s too busy playing with the kitty to listen to him, though. “Suppose you got questions. Let’s get a glass of lemonade and sit on the porch.” “Did you make it your special way?” Zoey asks, not tearing her attention away from Cheese. Cheese. What a freaking name. I would scoff but like usual, Zoey’s being cute and pretty smart to think of naming the orange cat Cheese to go along with Macaroni.

“Boy. You’re not listening to a word I’m saying.” “Old man. You’re not saying a whole lot of words that are making much sense to me right now.”

When Suzie got sick, we knew she had your parents. She had Chris and you and Max and me. Then she had Zoey. But Suzie and I, we knew, eventually, she’d mainly need you.”

As soon as everyone is gone, Lindley turns to me. “Do you know who that is?” “Uh, yeah. I introduced you, remember?”

“Jealous?” “Yes,” she says without hesitation. “That’s so damn hot, Addy. Do you realize how many years I’ve wanted you to be jealous over me?” “Jerk.” “Hey, I’m not saying it’s okay but that’s the truth of it because just the thought of another man looking at you makes me crazy.” “Jealous?” “Fuck yeah.” She turns her head to look at me and I wish her sunglasses weren’t covering her eyes. “You’re right. That’s hot.”

“Got a haircut at the barber shop, thanks for noticing, by the way, and Chip mentioned it.” Chip owns the barber shop and has since scissors were invented, at least it seems that way. He’s a wealth of information. They say hair salons are where all the gossip is? They’re wrong. Spend fifteen minutes in a chair at the barber shop and you’ll know everything there is to know about everything that’s happened over the past few weeks. I chuckle at Dad’s not-too-subtle complaint about me not immediately recognizing that he got a hair cut within the first five seconds of seeing me, and move to the side to let him in. “Hair looks great, Dad.” He pats me on the shoulder as he makes his way past me. “Thanks for noticing, son.” He’s ridiculous.