Cowardly

Ben

“That was quick,” I said when we were done. We’d packed it all up into three boxes that I would send to New York when I flew back. “Let’s go have a drink for old time’s sake.”

Jerrod rolled his eyes. “I don’t actually enjoy celebrating old time’s sake because it means you’re leaving, but I can do with a drink.”

We drove to The Cottage and walked to the bar. Jerrod stepped behind the bar and poured us each a beer straight from the beer tap.

“So, are you ready to be the Big Boss again?” Jerrod asked when we sat on the bar stools and sipped our beer.

“I guess so,” I said. “I mean, I know what to do. I don’t need anyone to show me the ropes.” A pang shot through my chest when I said it. Uncle Dean had shown me the ropes the last time. And now he was gone.

“The perks of being in charge is that you get to leave from the office whenever you feel like it. Plus, you can have as many women as you like.”

I chuckled, and we clinked our beer glasses in salute to what Jerrod has just said, but