Chapter 30

He lugged the books to the car and then went on his way to the next stop. He ended up getting the kids toys and blankets and some other things. His car was more than half full with stuff by the time he got to the grocery store, and filled to the brim when he got out of there.

Feeling accomplished, he drove back home, humming along with Fall Out Boy on his Spotify playlist.

* * * *

The evening and the next day went by in a blur of finding recipes he could “fix” and cooking experiments. He was so very into his job, that when he finally got a decent, healthy tomato sauce together and made some meatballs to go with it, he was excited enough to call Justin.

“Del, what’s wrong?” Justin asked, his voice rough with sleep.

Del looked at the time on his microwave. Shit.

“Nothing, shit, sorry, I didn’t—I’ll see you in the morning, okay?”

“No, I’m awake now, what’s going on?” Justin sounded much more awake now, and Del banged his forehead against the kitchen cabinet door.