Impossibility

Laura keeps her hands in her lap while in the car, letting her eyes stay focused on the outside scenery. “Um…how about just something quick today, like BK or something? I got a lot of work piled up and I don’t want to be gone too awful long.”

The trip to BK is short, and it’s not long before Nate and Laura have a table and are eating. Laura is fairly quiet, her eyes constantly shifting around the fast food restaurant.


Carson’s eyes narrow at Misty’s remark in his ear, the corner of his mouth twitching. “Well, you wouldn’t want me to get grumpy, now would you?”

He searches her eyes as she draws back, falling into their life, their spark. She made him feel alive.

The suggestion of lunch brings a grin to his lips. “I don’t know…” He plays up mock hesitance. “If I spend any more time with you, they might have to take me away to a mad house, ‘cause you certainly know how to drive a man crazy. But…”

He draws his face closer to hers. “Since you’re asking…”

Another kiss gets placed on her lips. “I think I can make an exception.”

Before allowing himself to get carried away, he stands up, sliding Misty off his lap. “Meet you by the exit in five minutes…unless this stupid paperjam takes me longer.”


Con watches Jamie leave the room, and can’t help the slight unwanted feeling the creeps up on him. It wasn’t really sad…certainly not upset…it was just…there. Jamie loved children and it was apparent to him that she missed her own. What if she knew she’d never have a second chance?

Paula smiles broadly and offers Sadie to Jamie. “You most certainly can. That would be the biggest help of all.”

Sadie’s tears begin to dry, and she looks up at Jamie’s face with wonderment.

Paula nods with satisfaction. “If you need me, give a holler. Just make yourself at home. All of Sadie’s things are either in that bag there, or on the dresser.” Leaving Jamie at it, Paula returns to the kitchen to finish up preparing lunch.

…The chatter at the lunch table is almost overwhelming. Mindy tugs at Con’s sleeve, now used to the fact that if she wanted his attention, she couldn’t just talk to him because he might not hear her.

Con looks down with question. “Yes?”

Mindy points to her glass of milk that is too far away to reach. “I can’t reach it.”

Con chuckles and easily reaches it for her. “There you go.”

“Are we going fishing again?” Seth asks with enthusiasm.

“Sure,” Con nods, taking a bite of his egg salad sandwich. “Maybe you can convince your grandma to stay up late and we can have an after-dark excursion to see how many bullhead we can pull out of the pond.”

All the boys look up with excitement, glancing towards their grandparents.

Paula shakes her head and rolls her eyes. “You boys. Well, if your grandfather thinks its alright, it’s fine by me.”

“Yay!”

Con glances to his side at Jamie. “Family tradition.”

Before they know it, lunch is coming to a close, and the kids bustle around, helping clear off the table as asked to do. With all the movement and giddy children, the air is a bit warm, and Con opts to step outside for a moment to regroup after the incredibly active morning.

He excuses himself, knowing he’s leaving Jamie in very capable hands. Slipping outside, he eases down on the top step of the porch, the light breeze refreshing him.

Dan sees Con leave, and mingles with the family for a few more minutes before following the route outside. He takes a deep breath of the country air and leans on the porch railing, glancing down at his nephew. “Everything all right?” Both men’s backs remain to the screen door, neither paying attention to ears that might be passing by.

“Yeah.” Con nods with the most surety he’d had in weeks. “I think so.”

Dan smiles a little, hearing the laughter of the kids inside the house. “Those kids adore you, Con. When are you gonna have a family of your own?”

Con isn’t surprised by the personal question, and gives a short dry laugh. “You know the cards are stacked against me on that one.”

Dan shrugs. “I know about what happened. But there are options.”

“What? Defy nature?” Con shakes his head. “Naw…I don’t think a family is in my future. When I come here…this is when I experience family. I can play cousin or uncle to these kids for just a while, and satisfy that portion of my life.”

Dan furrows his brow. “Just because you can’t have your own kids doesn’t mean you can’t have a family.”

“But would it be the same?” Con purses his lips in thought. “I don’t know.”

“I guess that’s up to you and whoever you decide to settle down with.”

Con lifts an eyebrow, wondering if Dan was implying just who he would settle down with.

Dan glances at him and gives a little shrug.

Con rolls his eyes and looks back out into the yard. “She doesn’t even know about it.”

“Why not?”

“If you must know, I guess I just hadn’t gotten around to that kind of intimate detail.”

“Do you think it will change anything?”

“I don’t know. She and I haven’t gotten to the point of talking about the future. …But if she had a happy family picture in mind, this might change something. I just don’t want to disappoint her.”

Dan doesn’t prod any more and after a few minutes of silence, he finally straightens up and turns back towards the house. “God knows your future, Con. Don’t forget that.”

Con doesn’t turn, but hears his uncle go back inside the house. He leans to the side, resting his head on the porch rail. What did his future hold? Coming here had been good for him…he felt more settled…more relaxed…ready to face life again. He’d had a reconnection with God that he’d needed, and felt more spiritually full than he had in a long time. But the future…that was something that remained unclear.