Page 161 of Finding Us
“You had a similar smile when you were that age,” Pearce remarks, taking his phone back.
“Yeah, and I was bad news. Parents should’ve been watching their daughters around me.”
Pearce laughs. “You were harmless, although the candy for kisses incident did concern your mother.”
“What’s candy for kisses?” I’m laughing just saying it.
“Garret started a business in the second grade in which he gave out candy to any girl who would kiss him. He even made up flyers and handed them out at school.”
I can’t stop laughing. “Did you really do that, Garret?”
He shrugs. “It worked.”
“His mother was mortified, but I thought it showed a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a mind for business. But after that, I encouraged him to use his business skills to find alternate ventures that didn’t involve young ladies.”
“How long did this business of yours last?” I ask Garret.
“About two recesses. By then I’d gone through all the girls in my class.” His cocky smile appears. “But Ididhave some repeat customers.”
“Must’ve been some really good candy,” I tease.
“Leftover Halloween candy.” His cocky smile remains. “Three months old.”
“He never ate all of his Halloween candy,” Pearce says.
“Because he was saving it for his shady business.”
“Probably true,” Pearce says as he picks up his water glass.
“It wasn’t shady,” Garret insists. “I was providing a service. The point is that you can’t trust 7-year-old boys. So keep bow-tie boy away from Lilly. I’d rather have her hang out with crazy Jackie.”
“It’s Jacqueline,” I say, smiling. “You better say it right in case you ever meet her. You don’t want to screw up and have her throw her pearls at you.”
Our food arrives and as we eat, Pearce gives us more updates on Lilly. She starts private school in a week and is starting to get excited about it. Crazy Jackie will be there so at least Lilly will have a friend. I get the feeling bow-tie boy will be there, too, but Pearce doesn’t want to upset Garret so he doesn’t mention it.
The entire dinner is great. The more time I spend with the new, improved Pearce, the more I like him. And I like how he talks about Garret’s mom now instead of pretending she never existed.
The new Pearce seems more like the dad Garret grew up with before his mom died. It’s really sad that Garret lost that dad for most of his teen years. It’s almost like he losttwoparents after the plane crash instead of one. I blame Katherine for that. She came into their lives and destroyed everything. Pearce should’ve stood up to her and not let her take over and push Garret away. I don’t know why he didn’t.
I can’t believe Pearce got stuck marrying Katherine. I still think Holton is the one who picked her, but I don’t know why he’d pick her over someone else. Maybe he’s friends with her dad. Or maybe Holton knew Pearce wouldn’t like Katherine and chose her as punishment for Pearce marrying Garret’s mom. It sounds like something Holton would do.
On Friday, we take Pearce to campus and show him around. Garret hasn’t said anything about the swim team or his shoulder and I wonder if he will. It’s not my place to tell his dad so I’m not going to say anything.
But at lunch, the topic comes up.
“I talked to your swim coach the other day,” Pearce says to Garret.
We’re at a sandwich shop across from campus, sitting in a small booth.
“Yeah, I heard.” Garret takes the salt and pepper shakers and moves them back and forth between his hands.
“It seemed like he really wants you on the team.”
“He does.” Garret clears his throat.
“Did you swim for him?”
“Uh huh.” Garret’s eyes remain on the salt and pepper shakers.
