Looking Back From L.A. Read Online Free Page B

determined to immerse myself in my family as much as I could over the rest of the holidays.
    “You ready boy?” Dad stood up, the keys to his truck in his hand.
    “Let’s go.” I watched as Chris, my future brother-in-law, gave Terri a kiss and follow us out.  “Hey dude.” We shared a fist bump as we followed Dad out to his truck.
    It took us two hours to stock up with fire wood and to pick the ‘perfect’ tree. As ever, Dad dithered around making sure it wasn’t dropping too many needles and there wasn’t any browned off branches. We went through this every year, and still he could never decide. It always ended up being a coin toss between two trees; and every year, we’d get back to the house and dad would wonder if we’d made the right choice.
    Once we got back and situated the tree in the lounge to settle before it was decorated, Mom and Terri announced that as the kitchen was out of action for a couple of days, we were going to head out to grab some food at Tessie’s— a place we’d been frequenting for years. Not only was it a diner, but also a bar with dancing and singing.
    I knew that I would be pushed up on stage to sing by my parents, it was a family tradition. Whenever we went to Tessie’s, I had to get up and sing Ring of Fire for my Mom as it was her favorite song, ever.
    “Hey sweetheart. It’s good to have you back.” Tessie’s daughter, Maria, smiled at me as we crowded around a table to eat.
    “Thanks darlin’, it’s good to be home.”
    “How long are you staying this time?”
    “Long enough.” My answer made her laugh, it always did; we’d been dancing this dance for years. When she’d taken our food and drink orders, she left us alone and Mom leaned over and pasted my knee.
    “I still say that girl would be perfect for you honey.” She’d been saying the same since I’d turned seventeen.
    “Momma, I love you, but that is never gonna happen. I thought you’d worked that out already.” I gave her a kiss on the cheek.
    “I know, but I can wish; is it so wrong for me to want you to be happy?”
    “No, it’s not, and I love you for that.” I never usually shut her down this much whenever she brought up me settling down and moving back home to Texas, Usually, I just played along and let her words fly over my head, but this time was different; the memory of Charlotte was still fresh in my mind, even almost two weeks later.
    “Margaret, honey. Drop it for tonight.” Dad gave me a strange look as he spoke softly. Judging by the look he gave me, I knew we’d be having a talk at some point during my stay.

    I’d performed, making Mom cry— as she did every time I sang her song. She, my sisters, and Chris had headed back to the house, leaving me and Dad behind to have a father/son catch up. I sat on a bar stool, watching Dad finish up his game of pool, nervous for some reason. I’d always known I could speak to either of my parents about anything and they’d never judge or look down at me, but knowing Dad had caught my snippiness with Mom made feel like a teenager caught out past curfew.
    As he joined me, I handed him a fresh whiskey and waited for him to speak.
    “What was with the attitude towards your mom, son?” He looked me straight in the eye, making me feel about ten inches tall.
    “I’m sorry; I didn’t mean to come across as snippy. I’ll apologize when we get back to the house.”
    “Make sure you do, she only wants you to be happy.” I couldn’t help the sigh escaping from me before I spoke.
    “I know she does, I just don’t think we have the same ideas about what would make me happy right now.”
    That piqued his interest.
    “What’s her name?” He cut straight to what the point of what I wasn’t saying.
    “Do you mind if I say I don’t want to talk about it right now?”
    “Of course not, just know I’m here when you do want to.” He finished his drink and stood up, placing his large hand on my shoulder. “We best get back if we want to