Chapter 27: Off-Spell
October 6, 20—
The pastures, Angus steer, Palomino horses, silos, and sporadic ranches zoom by as I drive Corey away from Hiding, Kansas. We’re both quiet in the cab of my Ranger. He looks out the window like a lost puppy, studying my strange world, perhaps saying goodbye to it in a silent manner. I find it necessary to reach across the empty space between us and apply fingers to his left thigh. I give his denim a gentle squeeze, and ask, “Corey, are you okay over there? What are you thinking about?”
He encases my hand within his own. “I don’t want to do this with you, Gage. On for ten years. Off for ten years. I know we’re both heading for an off-spell now, which won’t let us see each other for a long time. I’m not ready for that.”
“I’ll continue to be a weekende
