CHAPTER 13
Carter
“Carter?”
The cashier takes my money and I turn to my side. I’d recognize that voice anywhere.
“Steven!”
I step around the lady behind me in line and give my buddy a handshake and an embrace.
“How have you been?”
“Great. Never better. You?”
“Can’t complain.”
“Sir, your change,” the cashier says.
I keep my eyes on Steven but move back toward the pay point at the register.
“You checking out?”
“Yeah,” he says.
“I’ll wait for you.”
I take my things and stand off to the side.
Less than a minute later and Steven is through the line too.
“Are those diapers in your bag?”
“Guilty as charged.”
“You’re kidding me?”
“Nope.”
“You’re a father now?”
“Baby girl. Never been happier.”
“No way. You’re bullshitting me?”
“You can’t bullshit a bullshitter right?”
“That’s true. Where is she?”
“Back at the house.”
“House? You’re living back in town too?”
“Sorry man. I’ve been meaning to call you. The station mandated overtime and I’ve been swamped.”
“No worries.” He pauses. “So you’ve got a daughter, but I don’t see a ring on your finger.”
“Adopted. But I’ve got a girl now. Can’t even tell you how excited I am about her.”
“Whaaat? Gonna pop the question?”
“Can’t do anything until I talk to her father first.”
“That’s the way to do it. Always the gentleman.”
“I hope so. Want to do things the right way.”
“Agreed. So…when am I going to get to meet her?”
“I mean…if you’re not busy you can right now.”
“I’m in. Let me throw this in my truck and I’ll follow you over.”
“Perfect.”
“Where do you live?”
“Over on Park Street.”
“Park Street? I moved there a couple years ago.”
“Really? What number?”
“Fourteen twenty-one.”
“You’re messing with me.”
“You’re close by?”
“Are you serious? Fourteen twenty-one.”
“I can show you my license if you don’t believe me.”
“I believe you it’s just…” I pass and point to myself. “Fourteen twenty-three.”
“Next door?”
“White house with the picket fence.”
“Holy Toledo.”
“What are the odds?”
“Well considering we grew up together and we did everything together it makes sense.”
“That’s just because you always copied me,” he says giving me a nuggie.
“That’s cheating,” I say trying to avoid his knuckle from rubbing my scalp any longer.
“Older brother little brother, right? That’s how it works.”
“Little brother isn’t so little anymore.”
He wraps his arm around me and we walk out to the parking lot.
I can’t believe I ran into Steven. He’s a couple years older than me, but we bonded over sports when we were younger and were best friends ever since. When I moved away to be a cop we kept in touch, but the communication slowed down quite a bit. Now that I’m back in town and have my life completely going in the right direction I can’t wait to hang out with him again and introduce him to my two girls.