Going Home

Part 91

The conversation with his father stayed with Josh all afternoon. He could tell by his father’s expression that his thoughts were similar to his own. But Josh couldn’t help but wonder if it was circumstance that was trying to push him in a certain direction or if it was something else. As soon as he and Grace were home he tackled her on whether she had any part in it.

As they entered the sitting room Josh sat down on the couch and pulled Grace down beside him. Then looking at her with a stern expression he asked “did you say anything to Mum or Dad about your idea of going to the lake?”

Grace shook her head, trying not to show how upset she was that he would think she’d go behind his back like that. “Of course not Josh, you asked me not to.”

Frowning now because he didn’t miss the hurt look she gave him Josh apologized in a rough tone, “I’m sorry, I knew you wouldn’t have.” Then looking away he added “I just didn’t know how else to account for it.”

Watching him Grace asked “account for what?”

Looking back in her eyes he said “just the fact that Dad chose today to talk about fishing.”

“Oh” Grace said, surprised. “Well it certainly wasn’t because of anything I said. It could have come from my conversation with Margaret last night I guess, if she told Robert about it. Or it may just be that being together caused you all to think about Gavin and therefore the things he enjoyed were naturally brought to mind.”

Rubbing his hands over his head, Josh agreed with reluctance “I guess.”

Studying his tense expression Grace smiled and tried to help him deal with his obvious confusion. “Don’t worry about it Josh, it just means you are all on the same wavelength at the moment.”

Reaching out Josh pulled Grace into his arms and held her tight. As usual talking to her had made everything clearer. He didn’t know what it was but when she explained things everything seemed so simple. He’d like to remember Gavin by doing something they enjoyed doing together. So after a minute he took a deep breath and said “maybe that trip could work.”

Grace smiled She was happy that Josh was willing to do that. She felt this maybe the final step in reestablishing a good relationship with his parents and enabling them all to talk more easily about Gavin. She kissed his neck and wrapped her arms around him.