Page 30 - Demo

recycling, as well as restock the freezer with items from its larger companion in the garage, all in the time I had taken to stare at passing cars. Having filled one of the two sides of the sink with still-steaming soapy water, he was now scrubbing some indiscernible speck from a baking sheet with a sponge. Suffice to say, he was ahead of schedule.
“Dad...?” I posed hesitantly.
“Yeah?”
“Do you think you could throw me a few pitches in a bit?”
He took a second to answer, though I couldn’t tell if he was considering my request or if he had once more become enraptured by his chore. He was toweling off the still-spotless cookware, then sliding it into place in the drying rack. He looked up at me.
“Okay. Let me finish this first. I’d appreciate it if you set everything up in the meantime.”
“On it. Thanks.”
He grunted, having turned back to fishing for another item out of the sink. Standing on the other side of the island, I could feel the water’s heat. Dad didn’t even flinch.
It didn’t take me long to round up my bat and batting gloves. I also decided to leave my phone at the bedstand. It was unlikely to offer me comfort any time soon. Then, after sliding my shoes halfway on my feet, I went outside into the chilly evening. The sun