Coddiwomple

by S.E. Harmon

“Because you never shy away from a challenge. You’re a Sutton through and through. Do you remember that shoot you did in Tanzania? How you fought off that Caiman who got ahold of your camera bag?” A startled laugh burst out of me. Crafty reptile. The irony hadn’t escaped me—I’d traveled halfway around the world to get eaten by the uglier cousin of something in my own backyard. “Wait.” My brow furrowed. “How do you know about that?” “I follow it all,” he said promptly. “I have it all in a binder.” I blinked at him in surprise. “You started another journal?” He nodded. “You know, I didn’t know how well the name Journey would fit you until you grew up. You’re happiest with the dust of the world on your feet.” “I think I’d give it all up for Cam.” “You shouldn’t have to. Settling down doesn’t mean boring, JJ. It just means you know where home is when you’re done seeing the world.” He raised a meaningful eyebrow. “You don’t have to change everything about your life. Just show him that you know how to come back.” I planned to do exactly that. “Thanks.” “Don’t mention it.” He smiled. “You know, you remind me so much of myself at that age. Just better. I loved you since the first time I saw you.” Before I could get too misty, he admitted, “Second time, actually. You weren’t the most attractive baby in the world.” “Thank you. You’re warming the corners of my cold little heart.”