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As his cheeks turned red, I told her, “You’re eeous, but he’s more than just a pretty face That’s why he became a veterinarian, because he’s brilliant”
Her eyes ide, and she said, “A veterinarian is just a word for a doctor that takes care of ani a doctor!” I didn’t knohy she was just now putting that together, since I’d told her what he did for a living ages ago
“No one’s gonna care, Ma I do, as far as the people in this town are concerned”
“Yeah, well, I’ bicep and smiled up at him
My dad called, “DeeDee, are you gonna help otten to say hello to our boy yet”
Between the two of thes back into the house, and then it wasAfter that, he had to do the sath inspection, because that was just e did Dad was a hugeto thin, and a round face full of freckles that would forever rown kid We liked to joke that my mom’s DNA had totally kicked his to the curb, because my dad and I couldn’t look less alike
When he finally let go of my shoulders, I said, “Lorie, I’d like to introduce you to my dad His name’s Bill Smith, but everyone calls him Bubba”
After they shook hands and sized each other up in a friendly way, Lorenzo turned to me and said, “I didn’t realize you’re a ‘junior’”
“Technically, I’m William Smith the fourth,” I said “Or I would be, except that we all have different middle names Don’t ask me why”
“Well now, it’s because each generation wanted to honor tradition, but at the saettin’ all confused at the bank or whatnot,” my dad explained “The different middle names help sort out who’s who”
Lorie said, “I just realized I don’t know your middle name, Will”
“Which is fine,” I muttered “We really don’t need to talk about it”
“It’s Delores,” my mom chimed in, as she linked her arm with Lorenzo’s and started to lead hiave him ot his first and last naet a mention somewhere in there? I’ive birth to him! I had a hell of a time with it, too He was almost teeks late! By the time I was headed to the hospital, I looked like a tick that was ‘bout ready to burst” Lorie looked for me over his shoulder with a bewildered expression, and I just grinned and trailed after them
We spent so ani inside for dinner Lorie ilued themselves to his side My parents still didn’t cook very often, but they rits, because they kneas rocery store with thick chocolate frosting and lots of sprinkles My mom had asked the person at the bakery counter write Welco on the top I took a picture with my phone and kissed my mom’s cheek before I served the cake
Lorenzo and I did the dishes after we finished eating, and then I told e We’ll be back soon”
Mootten coht it eet that even after thirty years, they still curled up together at one end of the floral sofa
I found so in the kitchen drawer and stuck it in the pocket of h the back door I paused and held up er to indicate we should wait a moment, and when the screen door closed with a clatter, I sht there is the sound of my childhood”
My parents’ house was off by itself in the country Walking straight back froly deciduous forest in less than a minute As alked, I adjusted the rolled back cuffs of my white button-down shirt, and every now and then I stooped to pick up a stone, which I stuck in my pocket After a few minutes, we came to an abandoned dirt road, and Lorenzo told me, “You need to make sure not to lose track of me, because I don’t think I’d ever find my way back to the house”