Train Wreck

forty three

Remington POV

The wireless Bluetooth speaker Lissy loaned me was already fully charged and apparently set to full blast when I synced my Spotify app to the device. I laughed and instantly hit the minus symbol, shaking my head while the breeze flowed into Dad's shed. Spotify was set to a random playlist I enjoyed listening to but I had something else in mind for today's project.

"I'm glad you decided to try this out, son." Dad rolled closer and handed me a fresh roll of paper towel along with a gallon of water and box of trash bags from his lap. I did a quick run to the grocery store after stopping by the lumberyard for some scrap wood to practice with this morning. Dad and I were able to enjoy fresh donuts and perfectly iced cold brew from Starbucks when I got home before ten. It was the perfect balance of time to get errands run and time with him.

I even made time to stop by the pet store where I was able to find a stuffed lamb for Peach. It was Benji's idea after I started calling Lissy my lamb as a way to tease her while referring to "Someone to Watch Over Me." Of course I laughed and had to try and find a stuffed sheep that had a squeaker inside, even texting a photo to Benji so he could see our plan was in place.

The song meant more to me than I let on.

Of course I recognized the old tune but had to think hard to remember lyrics. When I had a chance I googled them, smiling as I read along to the song that apparently made Lissy think of me. I've been compared to worse. This was a blessing so knowing I can both appreciate parts of her memory as well as make it fresh for us.

My next step was definitely to get something personalized with AML... her new monogram once she marries me. Alice Maryanne Lowe has a nice ring to it.

Ring... wow. There's another item to start considering.

I looked around the dusty shed while thinking about what a great time we had the previous day and felt a sense of purpose light inside me. "Me, too, Dad. Lissy mentioned wanting a really big porch swing when she moves..."

"She wants to move?" Dad's voice was strained and I looked up to see a furrowed brow and clenched jaw while he rolled his chair around a bit as though he was pacing.

"Yeah, the house they have now was always temporary. Lissy said she wanted something with a big porch and more space that she could purchase but with finishing college and timing the best choice was to go for a rental to start." I smiled as I spoke, swiping through my phone to text LIssy a moment before I began tidying the shed. Today's plan was just to clean this place our and air the space so I could use the scrap wood I purchased for some easy projects to relearn all the tricks Dad taught me.

He hummed a moment as Kenny approached with a glass of water, catching his breath. "Did you want to stay out here, Greg? We can wait a little bit before doing your IV treatment."

"No, I'll come inside in a few." Dad offered a reassuring smiled while Kenny leaned into the shed with wide eyes.

"This place is terrifying."

I burst into laughter and filled them in on bringing Benji out here at one in the morning when he stayed over. Dad looked horrified while Kenny just chuckled along, clapping a hand on my shoulder and stepping closer to lift an axe from one of the tables.

Kenny looked at me and shook his head, laughing harder a moment before raising the axe, "Should I wait outside Benji's window with this tonight then start softly tapping at 1 am?"

I cracked up laughing as he set the weapon down, mental picture of the prank running through my mind and causing me to wheeze. "We have to tell Lissy at dinner tonight. She'll lose it when you explain."