Pulling into the familiar gravel parking lot of Rose Valley General Store, I turned my engine off. Instead of immediately getting out, I pulled my phone from my pocket and the piece of paper that had Alejandro’s number on it. Taking a deep breath, I dial the number andpress call.
A deep, calm voice answered on the third ring. “Alejandro speaking.”
“Alejandro, this is Colton James. Scott over at Habitat for Humanity gave me your number.”
“Ah, Colton. Scott mentioned you might be calling. How can I help you?” His voice was steady, reassuring.
I hesitated for a moment. “Well… Scott said you might understand… some things. I… I served. A while back. Things… didn’t go so well.” I swallowed, the understatement hanging in the air.
There was a brief pause on the other end. “I see. So tell me, Colton. What’s on your mind? How can I help you?”
I took another breath, the warm evening air filling my lungs. Leaning my head back against the headrest, I stared out the windshield as I began talking. “I… I’ve been back for a while. Well not in Rose Valley, but back here… on US soil.” I paused, scrubbing my hand over my face. “And… I haven’t been okay. Not even close. I pushed everyone away. But…well now I’m home- in Rose Valley,” I felt like I was mumbling and not making sense. “There’s someone. She means a lot to me. Always has. And… Well, I want to fix myself for her, but also for myself. It’s time.”
Alejandro was quiet for a moment and I wondered if maybe he hung up. “I’m glad you called Colton. You took the first step and that takes courage. More courage than you might realize right now. I commend you for making this call.” His voice was gentle, no judgment. “I want to help you. When would be a good time for you to meet with me?”
We talked for a few more minutes, finding a time early next week that worked for both of us. Just setting the appointment felt like a weightlifting off my chest.
With a newfound sense of purpose, I finally got out of the truck and headed inside. The bell above the door jingled as I entered, the familiar aroma of baking pizza hitting me. Behind the counter, Agnes, the owner, looked up, her eyes widening in recognition.
“Well, well, well, tickle my pickle and call me a gherkin! Look what the cat dragged in. Colton James? Is that really you?” Agnes declared, wiping her hands on a towel laying nearby. She was a force of nature, a small, wiry woman with a voice that could carry across the entire valley. She reminded me of Marge from Rose’s Bean and Brew, she wasn’t afraid to speak her mind.
“Hey, Agnes,” I said, a genuine smile taking over my face.
“I see you’re back from whatever sandbox you ran off to play in,” she said, coming around the counter to give me a hug that squeezed the air from my lungs. “Lord have mercy, you’ve grown into a fine young man. Oh lord, let me feel these,” she gave my arms a tight squeeze, her eyes wide. “You got some muscle there. My, my, my. Though you still have that same sheepish look you and Cade used to wear when you’d come in here with brown paper lunch bags full of pennies to buy every damn piece of candy in the store.” She chuckled, a hearty, booming sound. “Caused more chaos than a tornado in a trailer park, you two did.”
“I remember,” I said, chuckling. “And we weren’tthatbad, Agnes.” Though a memory flashes in my mind of the time we knocked over displays while racing through the store, and Agnes’s exasperated sighs suggested otherwise.
We both laughed. “So, where’s that partner in crime of yours?” she asked, her smile softening. “How’s Cade doing?”
“He’s good. Still serving,” I told her, a familiar mix of pride and worry surfacing. “I can’t say where. But he’s doing ok.”
“You boys were terrors, but you’s always had a good heart,” Agnes said. “Well, enough reminiscing. What can I get for you, handsome?”
“Just here to pick up an order,” I replied. “Two large pizzas – one pepperoni, one supreme.”
After paying and promising Agnes I wouldn’t be a stranger, I headed home, the smell of pizza filling the cab of my truck.
Mom and Dad were in the kitchen when I walked in, their presence instantly making me feel at ease.
My mom grabs plates and starts piling slices on them for all of us. While she’s doing that my dad and I get our drinks and we take a seat at the table.
I bring them up to date about the horseback riding program I was starting with Richard’s help, and I tell them about the progress we’re making at the Habitat site, and how good it felt to be doing something.
It’s when I mention my conversation with Ember and our date on Friday that their faces both light up. “That’s wonderful, Colton,” Mom says, patting my hand. “Good for you, son,” my dad says from across the table.
I continue to tell them about my plans for the riding program, and I tell them about Alejandro. After we’re finished eating Dad glances up at the clock and says, “It’s Wednesday. Beer night with Richard. Garrett’s joining us tonight too. Why don’t you come along, Colton? It’d be good for you”
Normally, I’d be feeling reluctant, and as much as my body wants to protest, I don’t. Not tonight. I finally feel like I’m making progress and I’m done hiding from people. “Yeah,” I said, surprising myself. “Yeah, I’ll go.”
The Last Chance was already buzzing when we arrived. Richard and Garrett were at a table on the back patio, cold beers sitting in front of them and deep in conversation. As we approach their table they both look up, surprise and genuine happiness on their faces when they see me.
“Colton! Good to see you,” Richard says, a warm smile crinkling the corners of his eyes. “This is nice. Both our boys are here.”
“Hey, man,” Garrett adds, a grin spreading across his face as he puts his hand out for me to shake.
When the waitress sees us she comes over to take our order. As Richard and Dad catch up, Garrett nudges me. “How about a game of pool?”
“Sure,” I reply.
