The Canada Run & “What’s for dinner?”

Gettin Weird Chapter 18.

Maybe it’s the G-E-D thing and feeling so good about it, or maybe talking to Emily Wahhsted, but whatever, I feel like it’s time to talk to Mom about Dad’s letter. It’s afternoon, just before dinner, Mom’s day off from work.  

I go downstairs. Joey is already in his room, doing homework, probably with his I-pod blasting in his ears.  

Mom sits at the kitchen table, sipping a cup of coffee.  

I drop the letter in its envelope Dan Mender handwritten in the return address spot on the table in front of her. She stares at it and now looks up at me. 

“Wow,” she says softly after seeing Dad’s name.  

 “I know. It came a couple weeks ago,” I suddenly feel ashamed that I’ve waited so long to tell her about it. “I didn’t open it right away. He said he’d be writing one to you too, so I’ve been sort of waiting for that.” 

Mom, staring at the letter, “Weeks ago?”