Page 90 of The Long Way Found

“We’re with two celebrities,” Mrs. Garrison said.

Jack put his hand on Luke’s shoulder and said, “No, just one.”

“And now you run the field house, Jack tells us,” The Colonel said.

Luke looked to Jack for a translation.

“Rec center.”

“Oh, yes, The Ridge. I’ve been managing it for almost 10 years now, and I’ve been back most of the time. It’s more like a second home than a job.”

“We try to stay fit,” The Colonel said.

“Yes, I can see that!” Luke said. “You should come to The Ridge while you’re here. We offer classes, or you can work with one of the trainers.”

“It’s a nice gym,” Jack said, smiling at Luke and nodding. “Luke leads quite a team.”

Jack’s mother asked Luke which hiking trails they should explore and whether he knew what had become of a couple of families she recalled.

Jack beamed at the way they were all interacting. He’d been prepared to defer to Luke and brag about him all night. But it turned out Luke didn’t need any promotion with these two.

They enjoyed the family-style lasagna, green beans, and salad. The only glitch came during dessert. Jack's mother was recounting a story from his early Army career and said casually, "But you've always been good at keeping your options open."

Jack wiped his mouth with the white cotton napkin, set it down, and reached to take Luke’s hand in his.

"I'm not doing that anymore,” Jack said.

He locked eyes with Luke, who smiled sweetly, and they shared the silent understanding that had passed between them.

Jack stood and excused himself to visit the restroom. When he returned, he could swear that The Colonel was concluding some kind of statement to Luke and stopped when he saw Jack approaching.

Something was different at the table. Jack smiled and looked at each of the three people as if to say, Well, is anyone going to share it with me…?

But no one did. Three against one?

Jack’s mother insisted on decaf and dessert, clearly enjoying her time with Luke. When the Garrisons finally stood to leave, she hugged Luke and said she hoped to see him again while they were in town.

The Colonel shook his hand and leaned in to say, “You remember what I said.”

What the hell…? Jack smiled and walked his parents to the valet stand. It was a warm evening. He paused to look up at the stars in the black, clear sky.

Am I crazy, or are things changing all around me? Or what if it’s me… am I changing how I choose to see things? At my age?

Jack was smiling when he returned to the table, shaking his head for dramatic effect. “You’re the son they never had.”

“They’re lovely,” Luke said.

“Lovely. The Colonel is lovely,” Jack said, chuckling.

Luke nodded with calm contentment and said, “Let’s call it a night.”

In the car, they drove in comfortable silence for a few minutes before Jack finally asked:

"What did my father say to you? When I was in the bathroom?"

Luke looked out the window, a small smile playing on his lips.

“I probably shouldn’t tell you,” Luke said, hesitating. "He said that you’ve always drifted through certain aspects of your life, and he hopes now you can let yourself rely on something.”