Challenges

Part XXIII

***2015***

Justin pulled the RZR behind the house. His dad came out the back door as Justin and Jason got out.

"Have fun?" His dad looked at the RZR and then the two men standing next to it.

"Yes." Justin laughed. "I think I gave Jason a heart attack a few times."

"When you fly off a cliff and a hill like that!" Jason retorted but laughed as well. "It was awesome. Thanks for letting us borrow this Mr. Leary."

"No problem." he smiled.

"Want us to wash and put it up?" Justin asked, looking at the mud on the side of the vehicle.

"No." His dad looked at it. "I think I will go out later this afternoon, when the sun goes down. See if your mom wants to go." He started to head back to the house. "What are you two up to next?"

"We are heading back to Albuquerque." Justin grabbed the cooler out of the RZR and took Jason's hand with his other and followed his dad into the house. "I will stay one more night there and then be back tomorrow afternoon."

"Are you coming back with him?" his dad looked at Jason.

"No." Jason blushed. "Work starts up again tomorrow, and I will be on a plane back to Seattle."

"Oh." His father seemed sad at this.

They entered the house, and Justin took the cooler to the kitchen. He took the empty trash out and threw it away and put the ice packs back in the freezer. Jason sat at the table watching him move about. Justin took the cooler into the adjoining garage and put it in on the shelf for storage.

He started to head back to the kitchen when his phone rang.

"Hey!." He answered it with a smile.

"Wanted to check in and make sure you are still alive." It was Shannon.

"Girl," Justin smiled, "I have been on a date that was supposed to be a quick dinner, but has turned into three days. We are at my parents house now."

"Wow." she laughed. "At your parents huh? Bet your mom loved that."

"She didn't." Justin just shrugged. "But it is what it is. We went out on the RZR and we are about to head back to Albuquerque. He has to head back to Seattle tomorrow."

"Okay." she said with a giggle. "You are going to have to fill me in. I will let you go, but I wanted to make sure you were okay. Enjoy!"

"Bye." he chuckled as he hung up the phone.

Walking back into the kitchen he was shocked to find that his dad was hugging Jason.

"Did I miss something?" Justin asked, walking in with a bit of hesitation.

"Oh," Jason pulled away from Justin's dad, and wiped a tear from his eye. "We were just having a conversation."

Justin's dad nodded, and moved to give Justin a hug. "I love you son."

"I love you too, dad." Justin returned the hug. He could not remember the last time his father showed him this affection. His father had been as supportive as he could be, and he knew his father had a hard time showing emotion, so this was a big surprise.

"Okay," he pulled back. It looked like he had tears forming in his eyes. "You boys have a safe drive back. And I will see you tomorrow." With that he walked out the kitchen.

Justin just stood watching his father leave. He wasn't sure how to react. He turned slowly back to Jason who was just grinning. "That was... odd."

"Your dad is a good guy." Jason said, walking over and grabbed both of Justin's hands. "He really does love you.'