2011 wasn’t the best year for Eddie. He had a few tough breaks. I think that’s what led to his unexpected hiatus. To where, he only knows, but I suspect he went home, or what he felt was home. It may have been that he just couldn’t handle the holidays. I get the feeling holidays are hard for him, at least from what little he did share. Celebration wasn’t big in his family. Even Birthdays.

When I came home from shopping, I found him relaxed in a lawn chair admiring the chicken coop. As if he’d never left. Picked up where he left off, not so much as an explanation as to where he’d been.

 “They seem happy,” he said, sipping beer in a cool breeze.

“I think you’re right. I get a dozen eggs a day, more or less.”
 

“You mad?”

“About what? That you left without a word or came back?”

“Both.”
 
 ”I don’t own you, Eddie. You’re free to come and go as you please. I’m not your mother either.”

 “You got that right. You wouldn’t want to be. Her life was too complicated. She wasn’t the most pleasant person I knew. You’re much easier to live with. I don’t want to take advantage. Think you feel that sometimes. But I don’t mean it that way.”

“You have issues, Eddie. I can’t begin to know how deep they run, but as long as you’re trying to make a positive go of your life, I’m here to help. You don’t make it easy.”

“I am aware. Gonna need a job of some sort again.”

“There’s more stuff around here to do. And I have baby Emma three days a week. Could use help there. Are you good with kids?”

Eddie swallows the last of his beer. Nods. “Guess we’ll find out.”

Best to let sleeping baby and Eddie lie.