Southern Hospitality

Chapter 31

Three years later 

"Landon, come on bud. You're going to be late to the game" I stressed to my 11 year old who thinks he's 15...

I heard him groan from upstairs, it's been pretty hard as a full time parent. Abigail comes around when she can but... its not the same. Savannah moved to California last year and got remarried. It pisses me off as she fully neglects Landon and rarely calls anymore. He meet her husband once at the wedding but the dude was a total asshole

Savannah never wanted kids though, her mother was the one who forced her to keep Landon. So, I'm not surprised the minute she got married, she moved as far away as possible. Landon finally came downstairs with his baseball bag, lately he has been in a mood. I think when Savannah, left it started to affect him. He's getting older and understands things more than when he was 8, it breaks my heart to watch the affects of her poor actions...

"Hey, you want something to eat before we leave?" I asked trying to boost his mood

Landon shrugged his shoulders and walked to the living room to get his shoes on. It's been a hard two years for us. I felt like a failure of a father, I always feared that my actions and love life would affect Landon but turns out I only made things worse

When Evelyn left, he didn't understand why she wasn't around much. It was easy to lie and say she had to visit family but when a month turned into a year, I couldn't keep it up. It was my fault she left anyways...

It got worse when Savannah decide to move to California, she wasn't the best mother but she treated him better when she lived here. Once she left and created a new life, Landon became a choice to her

My phone began to ring in my pocket and I grabbed it quickly to answer, "Abigail! Nice to hear from you" I cheered 

Whenever she calls, I always hope its news that Evelyn is in town. It's selfish of me to even want but I miss her like crazy and if I had the chance to apologize and redo my actions I would

"Hello Luke, are y'all at the field?" she asked 

"No, we're about to leave. How have you been? The family doing okay" I asked 

"If you want to know if Evelyn is doing well, I've been told you to give her a call!" she began to shout 

Abigail constantly told me to stop asking her about Evelyn and to give her a call myself but I couldn't do it. The way I treated her... the things I did are unforgivable. I don't deserve her after that

"Abigail... you know I can't do that" I sighed grabbing some of Landon's baseball bats to put in the car 

"Luke, you are your worst enemy! It has been three years and you both are acting like children at your grown age" 

Abigail didn't understand, what I did broke anything we had. I thought I was protecting Landon but I was only building a shield over my heart and pushing Evelyn away. The day George told me she left, I was heartbroken. After our argument, I should have apologized and begged for her back but my stupid pride prevented that 

Savannah and I had a huge fight and thats when we stopped talking. It wasn't her right to tell Evelyn anything and I was sick of her getting in-between our relationship

"I hear you... listen I gotta take Landon to his game. I'll see you later" I said hanging up

Grabbing Landon we headed to the car and began driving to the field. It was a quiet ride and I didn't know how to change the atmosphere. Landon used to be a lively kid but now, he's become quiet and sad. It breaks my heart to see him like this, I understand the feeling of being abandoned but it was something I never wanted him to experience 

"You excited for todays game? I can't wait to watch you pitch" I said starting small talk 

Landon, sat in the passenger seat staring out in the window with his headphones in. I turned to look at him and tapped his shoulder to get his attention 

"Did you hear me?" I questioned

"Its whatever" he whispered

I let out a sigh and turned the radio up. This was our daily conversations, getting words out of Landon wasn't easy but I let him be. He was going through things and there wasn't much I could do to fix it

After 30min we arrived at the field and I grabbed his stuff as he walked to the team. I went to sit on the benches with the other parents and found Amber and George already seated. They were getting married this weekend, finally. It took so long for George to purpose but he grew some balls and asked her. Watching them melted my heart as seeing my best friend happy was amazing 

"Luke! Great to see you" George cheered as I took a seat next to him 

I began to laugh and gave Amber a smile, she has begun to loosen up on me but I know she still harbors anger for what I did to Evelyn. Though it's been three years, Amber can hold a grudge 

"So, excited for the wedding?" I asked as the kids began to get on the field 

Amber's face began to light up as she snuggled into George, "words can't express it" she said 

Watching them get to this stage made me wonder if Evelyn and I would have ever been like that. I've been a coward and couldn't bring myself to ever ask her out properly. Its something I'll always regret, she deserved so much better and from watching Amber and George... I only pray she gets that 

We took our focus off the wedding and began to watch the game. Landon was starting and we all cheered when he started the first pitch. It warmed my heart to see him take on the sport I loved, I don't want him to quit like I did

So far his team was in the lead and we were all excited, "Landon is so good!" George cheered next to me

Nodding my head we calmed down and watched the game. I only want the best for my son, he will live a better life than I did. I want to make sure he has every opportunity and zero distractions. Watching Landon grow has been a magical thing, its the one thing i'm thankful of Savannah for

"So, Luke how have you been?" Amber suddenly asked 

I was taken aback from her question, "as good as, I can be" I laughed 

"Its been hard at the shop without George" I added giving him a push 

"I'll be back... after the honeymoon" he joked 

Amber and I both began to laugh at him. I've had to handle the store for a while since George got busy with the wedding coming up. We were able to open another shop in town, this spot was a lot bigger than our original place. We were still planning things for the grand opening but with the wedding coming up, things have been on hold

"Whatever you say" I rolled my eyes 

"Omg!!!" Amber shouted causing George and I to flinch 

She jumped out of her seat and ran towards a tall figure walking behind me. When I turned around my entire body went numb...

"Evelyn, you made it!" Amber said hugging her cousin 

"Of course! Hi, George... Luke" she said with a bright smile